[Urgent] Have VC Interviews, do I let them think I am still unemployed, or have my new job on resume (2+ months in) )
Left IB due to severe burnout after 2 years. Left and wanted time off. Took a career and mental health break, and traveled a bunch and was so glad I did, even though I know it was not super ideal.
I took this break for 8 months and now just recently 2 months ago started a Corp Dev M&A strategy role. I took the job as it was my first offer and just needed to earn again so I can start paying rent. I was unemployed for 8 months.
Issue now is my story. I have been networking like crazy for VC (my ultimate dream goal) and have 3 interviews all next week at different funds. None have seen my resume yet, I got these interviews through networking and inperson events. All 3 are in person and I am bringing my resume in next week.
Now the big question: Do I include my new Corp Dev role? It will only show for 2 months. Big issue I am thinking is wont they look at me very poorly / question why I am already shooting for a new role 2 months in? Reality is that I just accepted it to pay rent and get back in the work force ASAP but I know this will not fly in an interview obviously.
Or is my other option to not even include it / talk about it at all, and just now pretend I am finally recruiting again and looking for work?
Thank you.
I'd be honest with them.
You’re fucked if they catch you in a lie which is always possible but if you tell the truth it can voluntarily attest to your humility and character fit/culture. Given you have multiple interviews lined up, I wouldn’t stress the decision and just tell the truth as it can be easy to get caught in a lie when under pressure. Your stories and responses also have less conviction when lying so you’ll sound better and feel better being honest.
I would just be up front and honest about the situation. Little to gain, lot to lose.
From my own experience, hiring managers tend to be empathetic/understanding of situations like this more than you might consider. Weird times out there right now, people tend to be more understanding in these cases.
Hey OP, I saw your DM in looking for a response to this specific predicament.
In short, my recommendation would be to update your resume with your latest Corp Dev role. You want to be completely candid about your experience and also to indicate that you have landed a FT role since you started looking again. This does open up the can of worms that is 'well you just joined a new role, why are you looking again?' It is a valid question, so be sure to have a strong response lined up. I would state that while the Corp Dev / Strategy role is of high interest to you, you have always been more interested in early stage investing. You aren't so much just taking interviews to land a new role, but you are selectively exploring a very specific niche of investing, and are only considering a small subset of roles that would meet "dream job" criteria.
I think being honest will bring the following benefits:
1. You show complete disclosure. In the event that the companies you interview with find out you are already working FT, they wont view you as having lied to them.
2. It allows you to speak toward your current experience. Dont discredit what you are doing now, there is a lot of overlap between standard M&A Corp Dev / Strategy and VC. Find some overlap that will give you good talking points. A lot of strategy work is market sizing and product line forecasting, which can tie in nicely with VC analysis.
3. It shows you are still desirable. With the extended gap on your resume, it will be nice to let these VC funds know you landed something quickly. I would echo that you found your role rather quickly after you started up your search again.
4. Finally, this should help them realize your objective. You arent stuck in a role you hate, you arent underperforming, but you are OPEN to leaving IF you can find a "dream job" esque role that will help you succeed in developing a long-term early stage investor skillset.
Make sense? I put these thoughts together pretty quickly so let me know with follow up questions if you disagree or have additional questions. Hope this helps.
I genuinely can't express how much I always appreciate your feedback. Truly means so much and is insanely helpful. Cheers, you are the man.
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