Venture Capital Career Resources
This page lists a variety of resources that might be useful to those who are seeking careers in venture capital.
My hope is that this page can act as a starting point for those who are passionate about getting into the business. Many of the posts below are ones that I read during my job search.
I’d also encourage you to subscribe to my VC careers email list, where the content is 100% focused on VC job posting and tips to help you in your job hunt. Also, if you subscribe, you’ll immediately receive a link via email to download an excerpt from my eBook Road to a Venture Capital Career. Please input your email address in the field (and click ‘Submit’) below if you would like to subscribe.
Thanks, and enjoy the ride…
Venture Capital Career ‘Must Reads’
All of the books I link in this section are books that I’ve personally read (or wrote!) and recommend to any aspiring VC. You’ll see that some of these are focused on company building versus VC investing. And that’s exactly the point! You really need to have both perspectives to be a good VC. Here are the affiliate links:
- Term Sheets and Valuations by Alex Wilmerding
- Do More Faster by Techstars Founder David Cohen and VC Brad Feld
- Road to a Venture Capital Career by yours truly :)
- Four Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank, the founder of the Lean Startup movement
- Why Killer Products Don’t Sell by Ian Gotts
VC’s talking about getting VC jobs
- How To Get A Job In Venture Capital by Brad Feld, ditto by Seth Levine
- A nice paper written by one of Jason Mendelson’s MBA students about VC careers and VC demographics
- Mark Davis, a VC at DFJ Gotham, with tips on how to land a VC job.
- Questions from a reader of my b-school blog about getting into VC biz
- How Fred Wilson got into the VC biz and my reply
- Christina Cacioppo of Union Square Ventures talking about what it takes to land a role in VC.
- Fred Wilson talking to some b-school and law school students about his career in VC
- Joe Tango of Kepha Partners on how he found his way into a VC role
- Kauffman Fellowship Program
- Charlie O’Donnell’s thoughts on cracking into the business
- Thoughtful post by VC recruiter Denise Palmieri
- Charlie O’Donnell’s interview with Jim Robinson of RRE Ventures about VC careers
- Charlie O’Donnell’s view of the Principal role at a VC firm
Entry Level VCs – how they act, what they do, what motivates them, and career path
- Dealing with a junior VC (part 1 and part 2) by Healy Jones
- My comments about Mike Lazerow’s CNNMoney post, which was a clinic on how junior VCs can add value
- AskTheVC post about analyst roles
- Lee Hower‘s thoughts on making a career in venture capital
- Jeff Bussgang of Flybridge on the onramps to venture capital
- Bessemer alum and now Hunch.com founder Chris Dixon discussing VC careers (has a killer comment thread as well)
- Another one from Chris Dixon, this time about what he thinks is the ideal college major for someone considering internet/tech VC.
- A biopharma VC gives his thoughts on VC career path
- Scott Wolfgang at Hearst with an thoughtful assessment on what it takes to succeed in the VC business
- A comment from yours truly on Mark Suster’s blog post about the applicability of the MBA degree to startups and VC.
- Rob Go of Nextview reveals some of the not-so-glamorous aspects of being a VC
Managing the VC job hunt
- Tips from Mark Davis on how to stay top of mind with a VC, without being annoying.
- More from Mark Davis, this time about how the last man or woman standing will be the one that gets the VC job
- Sarah Tavel of Bessemer defending the “young VC” and her post on the pre-MBA hiring process at her firm
- Adam Ludwin of RRE Ventures shares 3 tips on how to score that coveted post-MBA VC job
Blogs and posts that focus on the mechanics of the venture business itself
- Ask The VC
- Get Venture
- Venture Hacks (the entrepreneur’s perspective!) and an exhaustive archive of their posts
- Vault’s VC career page as well as Wetfeet’s VC career page
Internship Stuff
- Internship at my firm (L Capital) for summer 2009
- A post (by me) that talks about which NYC VC firms had interns while I was at Columbia
- PEHub’s MBA section and home of the yearly internship rodeo
- Recent vSpring Capital internship posting (posted 2/11/09)
Recruiters who specialize in VC placements
Networking and Interviewing Tips
- Advice on the dreaded “Cold Call”
- Market sizing tips
- My account of a VC informational interview
- A great video about business development that is also applicable to VC (after all, VC is alot like biz dev)
Venture Capital Jobs
- Job posting for pre-MBA analyst role at RRE Ventures (posted 2/3/2009)
- Associate at Zelkova Ventures
- Analyst role at a life sciences VC (posted 2/7/2009)
- Post-MBA associate role at Alliance Bernstein (posted 2/22/2009)
- Pre-MBA analyst role at Firstmark Capital (posted 2/22/2009)
- Pre-MBA analyst role at Saints Capital (posted 4/14/2009)
- Pre-MBA associate role at Adams Street Partners (posted 4/20/2009)
- Pre-MBA associate role at Norwest Venture Partners (posted 4/24/2009)
- Pre-MBA associate role at Menlo Ventures (posted 5/21/2009)
- Pre-MBA associate role at IVP (posted 12/10/2009)
- Post-MBA senior associate role at Polaris (posted on 6/16/2010) – NOTE: This is a bit of conjecture, but between Jon Steinberg leaving his role working with Polaris’ Dogpatch Labs and a recent Glocap post looking for a Senior Associate for a hybrid VC / incubator in NYC with $500MM AUM, I think I’m probably right.
- Pre-MBA associate role at Adams Street Capital (posted 12/13/2010)
- Chief of Staff Role at Canadian VC Real Ventures (posted 2/15/2011)
- Pre- or post-MBA Associate role at OATV (posted 3/17/2011)
- Senior Associate role at Highland Capital Partners (IT and Communications team) (posted 1/8/2012)
- Pre-MBA Director of Community role at Firstmark Capital in NYC
- Bessemer is hiring a pre-MBA associate
- ff Venture Capital is hiring a pre- or post-MBA analyst.
- Techcrunch is soliciting video submissions from the masses for “Who wants to be Charles Zachary’s apprentice?“
- Pre-MBA associate at Greycroft Partners (posted 4-7-2012)
- Post-MBA associate role, Bay Area – Comsumer Internet focus (posted September 23, 2012)
Other Resources
- I also discussed my job search quite a bit in my Columbia J-term business school blog.
- Track VC fundings and M&A activity in real time through @vcdeals on Twitter
- Matt Winn’s punctuative VC database
- The LearnVC site
- My former colleague Doug Kalish’s site (Dougsguides.com) that contains a general set of ebooks, workshops, and links to help you find a great job with great people.
Here’s one more opportunity to subscribe to my VC careers email list, where the content is 100% focused on VC job posting and tips to help you in your job hunt. Also, if you subscribe, you’ll immediately receive a link via email to download an excerpt from my eBook Road to a Venture Capital Career. Please input your email address in the field (and click ‘Submit’) below if you would like to subscribe.
[...] a feed based on that tag. I could also create a drop.io drop similar to the one I set up for my VC Careers page for jobs that come in via email. This method would allow my social network to view jobs that [...]
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December 8, 2008 at 10:32 pm
[...] Venture Capital Career Resources (glad to see people are finding this useful, but wish there were more people commenting!) [...]
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December 31, 2008 at 7:28 pm
[...] » I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a short (< 50 page) e-Book about how to get a job in venture capital. All proceeds from the eBook would go to charity. To gauge interest, I’ve created a [...]
Any interest in an eBook on “How to get a job in venture capital” ? « Yet Another VC Blog
March 26, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Hi, I´ve read a lot of posts both in your B-school blog and your VC blog. I am planning on applying to the J-Term starting Jan 2010. I was interested on your thoughts about it, especially from the job search perspective, compared with a two year program.
I have a finance background and a job in VC would be ideal. Having said that, I am realistic and would like to keep my options open, especially bearing in mind that I am an international (Spain) and it will not be easy to stay in the US post MBA.
Will the lack of a summer internship be a handicap? Have you seen your classmates hindered by this? Thanks in advance!
Inigo
April 3, 2009 at 8:31 am
@inigo
Thanks for reading.
I don’t think lack of summer internship will be a problem as long as you gain some experience during the school year by interning part-time with a venture firm or a startup. This will position you well to go either route (VC or startup) when you finish school.
Regardless of 2 year / J-term, the VC job hunt is very hard. The only edge I perceived is that firms who were looking for a class of 2008 intern in Fall of 2006 would have not been an option for me. However, there were still plenty of opportunities available for those who ferreted them out.
One thing you might consider if you can get some time off before starting school is to do a pre-internship with a VC or startup. Mark Davis (www.markpeterdavis.com) (CBS 2008 and now VC at DFJ Gotham) took this approach and it led to him working w/DFJ during b-school and now full-time employment.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have additional questions.
Thanks again for reading.
-John
jgannonwp
April 3, 2009 at 2:48 pm
[...] As a junior staffer at a VC firm, I think its important to understand where and how you can be helpful to portfolio companies. The advice I received from my venture capital teachers Stuart Ellman and Will Porteous of RRE Ventures (blog) has stuck with me, and I’ve tried to operate using that advice since starting my VC career. [...]
New kid on the block: How a junior VC can contribute to portfolio companies « Yet Another VC Blog
April 24, 2009 at 2:54 pm
John-
Your blog is anything but “Another VC Blog.” The content has been quite helpful.
May I request some advice? Currently I am a practicing heart surgeon (Northwestern-MD; General Surgery Residency-Stanford; Cardiovascular Physiology Fellowship- Stanford; Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship-UVA). I have always been interested in medical device commercialization and IP related to devices and healthcare. I recently completed a JD at Syracuse University in patent law and technology commercialization. I had such a great experience that I am starting Cornell Exec. MBA in the Fall. Planning to transition my career to VC at some point after two years- I’m currently 40.
Are there any opportunities out there in VC (in any capacity) for a person such as myself as I complete business school? I will be in NYC area every other week. I am from SF and so will also be speaking to friends in VC out there for the same type of opportunity.
Any thoughts would certainly be appreciated.
Randy
Randy Green
May 17, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Hi Randy – thanks for the note and I am glad you are enjoying the blog. I appreciate that you left a comment as well – it’s good to know someone is out there! :)
Regarding opportunities to get involved with firms, here are some thoughts:
- Firms will often hire subject matter experts to assist them with due diligence on potential investments. If you fit that description, I’d try to identify firms who are thinking of investing in that subsector of medicine, and approach them to learn more about their firm.
- Approach firms with an idea for a structured project. You could propose a study of the cardiothoracic surgery widget market (substitute ‘widget’ for a real technology – as you know I’m not a healthcare guy :) and outline why you think it’s an attractive area in which to invest. And, you could point out potential companies in which to invest. As part of such a project, you’d need to spend alot of time talking to these companies as well, so you’d have the opportunity to do some sourcing as well.
- If you’re unable to get involved with a VC firm, I’m sure there are some startups who would benefit from your services. In the same way you could propose a project to a VC firm, why not approach an interesting startup that’s addressing an area you find compelling?
jgannonwp
May 18, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Great insights. I appreciate your time.
Randy Green
May 18, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Hi John thanks for this it is an incredible list and I thoroughly enjoy your blog.
I would love to join a VC firm. I have an offer to join a Venture Debt/Lending firm as an Investment Associate in London UK. Do you thinking working at the Venture Debt fund for a couple years might be a reasonable stepping stone to become a VC? How might a VC view this transition? If not what might my career options be after that?
Any thoughts would help a lot!
Jamie Hamilton
November 23, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Hi Jamie —
Thanks for reading, and I am glad you find the content useful.
I do not personally know anyone who has jumped from venture debt to pure VC, but that does not mean it isn’t possible.
If your ultimate goal is VC, then think about how the venture debt job can help get you there, and make sure you put yourself in situations where you build up skills that are transferable to VC.
One thought that comes to mind is that venture debt is typically given to companies entering their growth phase or that are very close to profitability. If you are looking to work in growth equity/later stage VC then I think there might be a good deal of overlap in the types of companies you’d be looking for.
I have a friend from my business school class who just entered the venture debt world, you may want to contact him and ask about his experience (feel free to say I referred you). His LinkedIn URL is: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/shahriq-sheikh/2/a87/718
If you have trouble getting in touch with him, let me know and I will see if I can help.
John Gannon
November 23, 2009 at 8:15 pm
[...] out John Gannon’s VC Career Resource page for more [...]
VC Career Advice « BioPharma Deals
December 24, 2009 at 1:20 pm
For a top specialist site for private equity jobs and venture capital jobs see http://www.vc-jobs.com The site is the leading online jobboard for private equity recruitment (www.vc-jobs.com) and venture capital recruitment
Richard
January 11, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Good p[osts for VC oppertunities. I did not realise there was so much to it!
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March 21, 2010 at 11:50 am
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August 24, 2010 at 9:44 pm
[...] luck if you decide to apply! But make sure you check out my VC careers page for a primer on getting a job in VC, first [...]
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November 6, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Many thanks for making the sincere effort to explain this. This was actually what I was looking for and I am glad to come here! Thanks for sharing such a valuable information with us.
Career
Career
January 6, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Is an entrepreneur a good candidate for a VC analyst/associate position?…
At first blush you would seem to be a good candidate, MBA or not. You should also be targeting post-MBA roles with the kind of background that you have. I think you’d have a good shot at positions in early stage firms given your entrepreneurial experi…
Quora
February 28, 2012 at 12:01 am
[...] or are simply interested in the world of venture capital, I’d encourage you to check out my venture capital careers page – lots of tips and information related to the role of a junior VC plus tips for [...]
Bessemer is hiring a pre-MBA Associate « Yet Another (ex-)VC Blog
March 24, 2012 at 7:08 pm
[...] you are interested in this role, or careers in venture capital, would encourage you to check out my venture capital careers page. Tons of tips for job hunting in VC land from myself and other former and current [...]
Greycroft seeking pre-MBA Associate « Yet Another (ex-)VC Blog
September 16, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Hi John,
Can you suggest the best way to drop you a very brief one-on-one note regarding your work at AWS@NYC? I’d prefer not to guess my way to the right email addy! ;-)
Dom
Dom
October 11, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Dom – just send me a message via LinkedIn or email my first initial last name at amazon dot com.
John Gannon
October 20, 2012 at 3:20 pm