How can you prepare for a Venture Capital interview if you are unfamiliar with the industry? (2024)

Helpful to show how you fit into their portfolio either as diversification or continuation as a form of "follow-on investment" that supports other recent (or floundering!) Investees. If they have stated investment policy, make sure you explicitly show how you fit.

It's also useful to come in with a strong view on the investments they've made you *do not* agree with, or question the logic behind - especially when backed up with specific counter-points to their published investment notes. One of the best signs a candidate is thoughtful about a portfolio is if they can argue against an investment confidentially to a GP.

News & publications: Stay updated on their recent activities, press releases, and industry contributions.Social media: Follow them on relevant platforms to gauge their culture and engagement.Dig into their investment thesis: Understand their criteria for selecting companies, deal size, and preferred stage.Research their portfolio companies: Analyze their successes and challenges to understand their investment approach.Look for recent interviews or articles with their partners: Gain insights into their decision-making process and industry perspectives.Connect with current or former employees: Seek honest feedback about the firm's culture, values, and work style.

Master the Basics:Brush up on key VC concepts: investment stages, deal terms, valuation methods, due diligence.Practice explaining financial terms and analyzing business models.Role-play common interview questions like "Why VC?" or "What excites you about our firm?"Case Study Challenge:Analyze a real or mock startup pitch deck, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and potential risks.Prepare investment recommendations and justifications, considering market fit, team expertise, and financial projections.Practice presenting your analysis with confidence and clarity.

Demonstrate your ability to think beyond conventional frameworks.For instance, how would you assess a startup in a nascent, rapidly evolving industry?Show how you balance quantitative analysis with qualitative judgment, especially in areas where data may be limited.Reflect on experiences where you navigated ambiguity or made decisions with incomplete information.These examples can highlight your readiness for the VC world's dynamic nature, where not everything fits into a neat analytical box.

Resume:Highlight relevant skills: Transferable skills like analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving matter.Quantify achievements: Use data and metrics to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.Cover Letter:Show your research: Mention specific portfolio companies that excite you and why.Showcase your fit: Highlight shared values, personal qualities, and potential contributions.Portfolio/Website :Update your content: Include projects, achievements, or experiences relevant to VC.Demonstrate your understanding of the industry: Publish articles, analyses, or insights on your chosen niche.Show your passion: Share your involvement in relevant communities, conferences, or industry initiatives.

Show that you're hungry and a self-starter who can learn without a structured / scaffolded training regime. Most VCs are a little chaotic on the inside - you've got to be able to learn through apprenticeship, identify opportunities to contribute, and manage your own time. Don't ask about work / life balance! Hours at most VCs are pretty reasonable, but this line of questioning might raise a question of whether you have the hunger and initiative to work hard, but know when you need to rest + give time to the other things in your life.

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Play to your strengths and what differentiates you. Do you a distinct passion for biotech, work in a lab or study chemical engineering? VC's are always looking for people with domain understanding. Lived experience and knowledge bases that they can put work in due diligence of a technology or industry. Research companies in the space where you have expertise and learn their stories, what types of products they have, their revenue models and beyond. In addition, if you love learning, VC's are constantly learning about their target companies, need to keep track of industry trends and stay abreast of new technologies. It's an industry where a lifelong learning perspective is an asset!

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