This deck contains actionable tips that will help you accelerate your venture capital job hunt, and get you off on the right foot if you're just getting started on your quest to become a VC. Topics include: How to secure interviews (Hint: It's not by asking for a job) How to identify which firms may be hiring (when they all say they're not hiring) How to stand out from a ridiculously competitive pack of applicants How to follow up like a pro How to negotiate an offer How to build a powerful network that will benefit you for the rest of your career, even if you don't end up working in VC Note that the content will be heavily focused on how to secure a job in venture capital, but many of the tips will have applications to other kinds of job hunts.

1. VC Job Hunting Hacks
John Gannon
http://johngannonblog.com/vc-careers
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jgannon
@johnmgannon

2. WHO IS THIS GUY?

9. HOW ABOUT YOU?

10. Agenda
• Initial remarks
• Where are the jobs?
• Securing Interviews
• How to follow up like a pro (4 P’s)
• Closing the deal
• Standing out from the crowd
• Closing remarks

11. Initial remarks
• VC == awesome job
• VC’s are made, not born
• Collaborate!

12. WHERE ARE THE JOBS?

13. Don’t expect to see one of these
during your VC job hunt …

14. Signs, Signs, everywhere there’s Signs…
• Firm raising a larger fund than previous
• Junior staff turnover
• New funds**

15. Gettermsheet.com

16. Other (non-VC firm) Options
• Corporate Venture
• Corporate Development / M&A

17. SECURING INTERVIEWS

18. The Lifeblood of the VC Job Hunt

20. Invest in your network
• Companies
• VC firms
• Schools
• Clubs, Meetup Groups, etc

21. Tips for getting an interview
• Have an angle (besides “I want a job…”)
• “I’m going to be in town next week…”
• AVOID THE FRONT DOOR

22. What about recruiters?

23. …for a “real” interview
…for cancellations
…to wait
…to stay longer
…to be challenged
…to express an opinion

24. At the end of the interview…
Have an ask!

25. FOLLOW UP LIKE A PRO

26. The 4 P’s
Polite
Persistent
Provide value**
Don’t be a Pain!

27. Try to add value every time you follow
up with a VC
• Hiring
• Deals
• Partnerships
• Sales

28. Keep them up to date on your
progress
• Share key developments
• Stay top of mind

29. CLOSING THE DEAL

30. Things to remember if you’re getting
close to an offer…
• VCs live by the deal, and die by the deal
• References are critical
• If you’re this close, don’t give up!
• Every $ in salary to you is a $ less to the GPs
• Don’t sell yourself short

31. STANDING OUT

32. Are you committed?
• Did you burn the boats?
• VC or bust?

33. Are you a leader?
• Start something!
• Help others in the ecosystem
• Build your personal brand

34. Closing Remarks
• Keep hustling!
• If you get close, keep going…
• You have a long career ahead of you

35. Thanks for coming!
John Gannon
http://johngannonblog.com/vc-careers
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jgannon
@johnmgannon