I've worked for a number of startups over the past few years.<p>Normally, in early startup life (<= 5 people), they hire people who have a broad knowledge about a lot of things. Sooner or later, the startup will start hiring people with specialist skills.<p>You won't get paid well, you'll be paid the bare minimum until they have gone through some sort of funding process (probably angel investment).<p>Being in a startup isn't like working for a large web firm like Facebook or Twitter, it's more like working in a small office with a group of people trying to find the fun in everything (some startups never become fun). It's also not about doing everything correctly, it's about experimentation with things, finding what's useful.<p>Joining a startup and hoping for some big IPO payout might not pay off and isn't in the mindset of a startup.<p>In the end, it's about trying to make some kickass product that does something awesome whilst trying to have fun on a small salary (at least it is at the start)