Just because stock is being offered doesn't mean your dreams of becoming Jeff Bezos are almost fulfilled. The more options, the better. And the earlier you join a company, the more options you're likely to get. A thousand shares of stock, while certainly useful and attractive, is unlikely to let you retire early. To make a major impact on your financial situation, you would probably need at least 10,000 shares.
Companies have a lot of flexibility in how they offer their stock to employees.
Some offer employees options for pennies per share, while others are closer to the actual IPO price. Find out how much you'll have to invest to make use of your options. It's crucial to bear in mind how long you'll have to stick around to own all your shares. This typically takes four years or even longer. Many people who are attracted by the excitement of working for a start-up don't want to work for one of the giants.