How to Get a Job with a VC

Many students, friends, and others ask me how to land a job at a Venture Capital firm.  Sometimes I think it was sheer luck and the opportunity that was provided while at Northeastern University; but here are a few methods that can get you into the VC firm that you want.

Here are a few suggestions that can help you enter in the VC market: 

Attend B-School

As sad as it sounds, going to a top-tier business program is one of the ways to get into a VC or private equity firm. There is a clear distinction here. Top-tier inclines top 10 in the country (your Harvard, MIT, UPenn’s of the world). Many firms do not even look at candidates if they do not have an Ivy League degree. I know it does not make any sense to some, but in most cases it’s reality.

Work for a Start-Up

Having the ability to showcase that you have worked for a start-up and have operational experience is invaluable.  One word of advice is to find a VC firm that you believe in, look at their portfolio companies, and try to get a job with that company. Through this process you will get to know the VC firm that you want to work for and build a relationship.

Start your own!

Another alternative is to build your own company. Get your hands dirty and illustrate that you can build it from the ground up. Most VC partners have operational experience and can respect an individual who has built their own company from the ground up.

Banking or Consulting

For many, working for investment bank or consulting firm can give them the ‘hard skills’: excel, powerpoint, deal structure, etc... which is what most VC firms want before you join them. They do not want to spend the time to train and bring you up to speed, since most of them are relatively small or have the luxury of hiring more qualified individuals.

Leverage your Network

Look wide and deep into your LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter accounts and scrutinize the different connections that you may have. A high school friend can now be working for a firm and would be more than happy to give you a soft intro.

Before you take any of the steps previously mentioned, make sure you focus on yourself and determine if you really want to go into the industry. Talk to partners at firms, analyst, or associates and see what their days and lives are like.

The grass is ‘supposedly’ greener on the other side but you may be surprised once you do a little homework.

If you have any other recommendations for our readers on how to get into a VC firm, please share them.

Ashkan