"You ain’t getting that job” -three major VCs & a Harvard Prof

My appetite for knowledge changes with the seasons, and as fall rolls into a full-blown depression mixed with an unstoppable force of hormonal surges, I have sunk my inexplicable desire for information into my new subject of obsession: Vee Cee

As a result of my previous post, I have received quiet a few PMs, some included crotch shots, and others were legitimate questions about “how to break into VC” and “Qualifications needed to be a VCist” I wanted to respond individually, but I really didn’t know what to say. I didn’t have an educated and accurate answer, so naturally, I turn to my boss for answers.

In a car heading over to Westchester…(classy, I know)
D:

So why did you hire me?

A quizzical look takes over my boss’s face, keeps eye on the road, turns music up
Rack city b***h, rack, rack city b***h

A few moments of head bobbing and gangsterism pass by before he says:

Because you ask the most unexpected questions.

This answer did more damage to my curious soul than a screwdriver in an electric socket does to a four year old. That was it, I wanted more; I can’t possibly build an 800-word blog entry on this. I panicked.

My VC professor, the man who is actually unfolding the mysteriousness of my job (how pathetic) was my go to guy. I asked the question that sounded a lot more like an informational interview question than anything else: Who gets jobs in VC?
"No one", he says!

Unless you have an in depth knowledge of a certain industry, or lots of money to make a junior partner, you don’t get a job in VC. How did you get your job?"

"I ask unexpected questions", I said, feeling like genius is playing an idiotic game on my tender heart.

So far so good, I am getting there. Unexpected questions, experience, and money. Got it.

The very next morning, I made a few calls to two major VC funds on the West Coast and one very large fund on the East Coast. My intention was to speak to someone in recruiting and see if I can squeeze anything out of them. My advertising and marketing skills kicked in, and I was able to speak to a very nice lady in Prestigious Fund .

D:

Hi, I was wondering if you have a few moments to help me understand….

PF:
Send you resume to ****&^*%^%$.com

D:
I don’t want to work for you, I just want some information

(Tons of question that would take too much space if posted go here)
PF:
We want passionate people, someone with an eye for the hidden; a little bit of cynicism is highly appreciated as well. Obviously you can’t figure that out from a resume and that’s why most of vacancies are filled through referrals.

This is shaping up! I am stoked. Unexpected questions, experience, money, passion, cynicism, and you have to know the people who know the people. Easy; WSO monkeys got this in the bag.

Now this very young sounding gentleman at the other Super Prestigious Fund lays it down on me straight and simple:
SPF:

There is no way you get hired right out of undergrad. You need industry knowledge. We love consultants and IB analysts but they usually last a year or two. What we look for is someone with the potential to make it to partner. These people are hard to come by and they must show a track record of patience, persistence and leadership.

D:
Can you give me an example?

SPF:
An alternative energy engineer, a PhD in biochemistry, or an advertising executive who branded and launched.

Time to update the list: Unexpected questions, experience, money, passion, cynicism, know the people who know the people, patience, and leadership.

I didn’t spend too much time with Hipsters Fund because I was not cool enough for them or maybe my accent was too un-Brooklyn like.

HF:

No undergrads at all. You have to be an entrepreneur even if you failed at your venture. Great selling skills. I really have to go.
    My favorite part: compiling date and necessary simplification:
  • Target personal traits: genuine and educated curiosity, passion, cynicism and patience
  • Required academic qualifications: a graduate degree in anything is all you need
  • Professional experience needed: expertise in a certain field, entrepreneurial background preferred, and a proven track record of leadership
  • Other factors: a strong network, acquire money, and don’t be a hipster
  • 1:05 am on Friday hunger strikes, headache attacks, time to snore.
    Have a fantabulous, depression free, non generic fall weekend.

     

    Even better than the first! I enjoyed that.

    So lets further question your knowledge on "vee cee"

    Hows the pay for all levels? Hours? And how to tell the difference between a good VC fund and a bad one?

    Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
     
    VanillaGorilla:
    Awesome post! Great job acquiring insights. Did you call their HR depts for this?

    Being clueless as I was when I called the first fund, I said "campus recruiting please" and the receptionist was like: Cam what? I mean, someone who is responsible for recruiting? You mean talent acquisition. Please hold

    At the other fund it was "Human capital management" and the hipsters fund was "You need to talk to (insert name of dude here). Highly doubt he was HR though.

    I may not be on the Jedi Council, but I sure am great with the Force. See my WSO blog posts
     

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