This article was originally published on .cult by Mikaella C. .cult is a Berlin-based community platform for developers. We write about all things career-related, make original documentaries, and share heaps of other untold developer stories from around the world. Receiving a salary package that includes shares can be a flattering indication of a company’s desire to work with you or fill you with exciting dreams of the future where you have a chunk of equity in the next big thing.