If you're not in college and you don't know a cofounder, the next best thing I think is to go work at an interesting company.
In the early days of a startup, people's compensation is whatever you negotiate with a founder and it's all over the place.
The company just needs to see you as like this maniacal execution machine.
You really want to know your cofounders for a while, ideally years.
You have to be intense. This only comes from the CEO, this only comes from the founders.
Most of the best hires that I've made in my entire life have never done that thing before.