ESOP is the biggest scam sold to employees. ESOPs are not going to make you rich, and they will make you poor. Honesty aside, 90% of start-ups fail in India, so you will not be able to liquidate the stocks of that company, and you have already paid taxes on these stocks. Now, many people will say to me, " Let’s not convert the stocks now. Once the company goes public through an IPO, we will convert the stocks. Now, an exciting thing happens: there is an exercise period for stock conversion, which is generally 90 days after you leave the company. Yes, there are some companies that offer an exercise period of 10 years, but such companies are very rare. I will be very honest with you: first, focus on the basic pay you will receive from the company. After that, when the company is very large and you see that it plans to go public, it will be great for you to cash in your stocks at that moment. I’ll be very honest with you — first, focus on the basic salary you will receive from the company. Later, when the company grows bigger and is planning for an IPO, that’s the right time for you to benefit from your stock options.