Just ask them what % of the company you'd be getting, directly. They should answer that.
That's a question I've always used personally, and I've refused offers from companies that wouldn't answer it.
That's a question I've always used personally, and I've refused offers from companies that wouldn't answer it.
That said, I don't think I've ever interviewed with a startup that gave me an offer with equity that wouldn't share # shares outstanding, amounts invested, and liquidity preferences. If a company won't share that at the offer stage, I'd have concerns.
That is the usual advice. The median return for common shares is $0 (most startups fail).
Founders can screw up their own ownership https://grayscale.vc/blog/how-that-safe-note-is-screwing-you... and there is no way most people can understand the cap table value without a lawyers help.
Also you have no influence over future rounds, so a good equity deal now could easily be worthless in the future (or even worse, negative returns due to taxation on paper gains that subsequently disappear).
Concentrate on your other benefits, whether you think the founders and investors have integrity, and whether you think the market opportunity might be a winner.