Hypotheses offer letter
Should I sign this offer?
Usually when you get an offer letter, you’ll see standard company language, role overview, who you’re reporting to, compensation package, etc.
What's not written is what you get if the company goes up in flames or the product you were hired for gets deprioritized after you start (I've experienced both). This may be an overly pessimistic way of thinking about an offer letter, but the reality is joining as an employee means a lot of things are out of your control. There is a lot of information you may not and will not have access to (especially before you join).
To counter this, one thing I’ve tried to do with my last few jobs is write my own “hypotheses” offer letter. These are the 2 or 3 things I want to learn or get out of the job regardless of how the company or business does - this is something I can control as I make an offer decision.
Some sample hypotheses you might have:
- What is it like to work on a consumer product vs. B2B
- What is it like to work with and learn from a certain founder or leader
- What is it like to work on a product with daily engagement vs. weekly or monthly
- What is it like to work on a product that has a heavy operational component
You can also have more personally motivated ones like what it might be like to work in a new city. Having these in mind may help take the pressure off what can feel like a heavy decision.
A book worth checking out if you’re stuck on this question and need inspiration: The Scout Mindset.
If we can be helpful as you navigate answering this question, feel free to email us at founders@hedgy.works