Ask HN: How to find jobs at a VC firm? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How to find jobs at a VC firm?

8 pointsvishalzone20026 comments

I have keen interest to work at a VC firm but I am unable to find any job postings. I have tried linkedin,ladder, career websites and numerous other places. Is there something that I am missing or the only way to join a VC firm is either to attend a B-school or to have a successful exit?

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What type of role are you looking for? There's only a few roles available at VC firms, and only the larger ones hire regularly. Be clear on what role you want (and make sure you meet the qualifications for that role).

How are you going to provide value to the VC firm? This is key - if you're going to reach out to a VC you need to be able to convince them why it would be worth hiring you in the first place.

And the answer to your question (IMO) - it's unlikely that you'll find many job postings at VCs. They will almost all have strong networks to tap for their hires, rather than spending time on public job postings. I don't think you need to attend B-school or have a successful exit (though these things certainly build credibility for you). I do think you need to find a way to enter their network (like any resourceful entrepreneur would do to pitch them). Figure out how you can add value, then reach out and try to get a meeting. If they don't have a position now, they may in 6 months. Get on their radar.

thanks for your reply. Although I have experience in data-related technology, I would enter at any role to get in a VC firm. I concur with you on the networking advice. I am trying very hard to enter their network but its not easy to prove my worth without facts backing me up. Its just that I can pretty accurately predict looking at products and startups about their future looking at the data from the market they play in and few other signals :)

thanks again for the advice :)

I think you have over-attributed what the make up of a VC firm essentially is, which rather undermines you claim to know what will be a good business to invest in.

There's a lesson here: check your facts before making claims.

Venture Capital, is at it's very heart all about private equity investment. These are companies that are made up of people that either manage wealth for other people/companies or are individuals with high net worth or a combination of the two. They are companies basically looking to make this money work, and in this context apart from administrative tasks, rely on their own experience as succesful business people to guide their decisions.

In any event there is not much of a ladder to climb even if you made coffee there.

So unless you've made a succesful start-up and have money and experience to offer, you are not going to get very far up the imaginary ladder.

you're welcome, hope it's helpful.

FWIW, I don't think you should apply to any company for "any role."

I've heard people say that a lot lately - "I'll take any job in _____". If I'm hiring, that's not what I want to hear. I don't want someone that's looking to do anything, I want someone who's looking to do something specific that I need done.

Sure, maybe I want someone who's willing to make copies and coffee, but that's just to see hustle and work-ethic. To hire you, I want to know how you're going to make the overall pie bigger.

VC shops are like most PE firms - hiring is done on a small scale by the partners themselves, typically through their private network first, then using a recruiter second. If you can't break into the network individually, try breaking in through a recruiter who specializes in tech or VC.

The most direct way is to get funded by one, exit, then go work for them as an EIR or some other silly thing.

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