Understand phantom-stock mechanics, payout conditions, deferred-compensation questions, and how to value a non-ownership award in a software-engineering offer.

Learn the practical differences between restricted stock and RSUs, including vesting, settlement, withholding, 83(b) elections, and employer-stock concentration.

Evaluate an engineering offer's RSUs, restricted stock, options, or phantom stock by modeling vesting, liquidity, tax timing, and concentration risk.