<prompt> Human: I currently work for a pretty large and well known Medical company and have for the last 2 years. We are partnered with a company that this Scientist created and patented. Last week I was approached by this company for a job to become the first in what I do in the US. Of course I am flattered and honored to be approached by them. I do however want to make the right financial decision if I do in fact decide to work for them and leave my current company. This scientist has a patent that I believe will change the way some exams are performed. In the next 10-15 I feel his software technology will become the standard and the present standard will become malpractice. Now the numbers.Currently I make 106,000 base with a 3 increase every year. 15,000 bonus per year. I get mileage for driving. Great health insurance which includes dental and vision. 4 weeks vacation per year. Matched 401k for first 5. Christmas they send us great gifts like flat screens etc. I figure total its a 150,000 package I have.As you can see I make pretty good money however if I were to leave my company a financial incentive if not now but in the future is a must. The company told me to send them my salary expectation. I have no idea how to approach this question. What I really want that my current company does not offer is stock options. If I am to leave a great company like the current one I have I would need an incentive. What sort of questions do I ask and how do I approach this with them?What if they arent able to meet 150,000 in salary and benefits but can offer stock options how much should I refuse to go less than? I can get health insurance through my husband so that is something I can forego and negotiate.  <response>: The problem with a medical software company is that advances are constantly changing the landscape for the way certain things are performed. You would be taking a huge gamble on the fact that this French company really is the next big thing. The only way I can see this being a good financial decision is if you and your husband are in a good financial position for you to be able to take such a gamble and lose. You need to take into account your savings plus your husbands salary and figure out whether or not you guys could afford to survive living your current lifestyle for 6 months if the French company should unexpectedly go under and you lose your job. You mention stock options as part of what you want to ask for. You need to consider that even though a company offers stock options, these options mean nothing if the company never reaches the potential you think it might. You currently make 106,000year. I would ask for for that plus 10-15, before you even start talking about the benefits that you say add up to total your full yearly 150,000. They are likely going to offer you a LOT less than what you are willing to take though, so be ready for that. They sound like a startup and startups generally dont have a lot of cash on hand for paying out large salaries and benefits. If you and your husband can comfortably survive with you taking a gamble on something like this, then I say go for it. I dont know exactly what you do or what the job market is like for your particular position, but jobs can obviously be hard to come by, especially when you are dead set on living in one particular area. Long story short, this is a gamble and should be treated as such. If you have a stable job now, with a guaranteed raise rate each year, great benefits, great vacation package, youre happy and love your work, why leave? The only reason I can see for going to the French company is if you REALLY have a genuine passion for what they are doing and whole heartedly believe in their success. You need to see yourself as a cog in the machine of the greater good in this situation. If youre thinking about what they could do for YOU, then you probably shouldnt take the job, in all honesty. 