3 ms·

Advice for resume/position with big VC

14 points by mcollins027 16y ago

Hi, Hacker News virgin here. Long story short, I have a once in a lifetime opportunity to interview at one of the big VC firms, which I find surprisingly intriguing. Problem is, I've been working on startups for the past 2-3 years and I'm not sure how to write about these experiences without looking like a total amateur/buffoon. Here are some accomplishments I'd like to highlight, but I'm not sure how to phrase them -- or even if to include them at all... -- the fact that I am bootstrapped (perhaps this is a bad thing?) -- I currently monetize the site through affiliate programs -- I've had over 100,000 pageviews (which sounds GREAT to me, but to a VC will sound really weak) -- my site pertains to motherhood (will this hurt my chanced because they will think I am too family oriented?) Anyone have advice for: what to to highlight, what to omit, what do they really care about, etc? TIA

deleted 16y ago
[deleted]
jasonshen 16y ago
I'm confused - are you writing a cover letter or actually doing an interview? Might help us give better answers. A couple thoughts off the top of my head: in general, I think your experiences as an entrepreneur will be really valuable to working at a VC firm. You might want to emphasize your ability to evaluate and advise the founders early stage companies (because you've been there). Also, there's nothing wrong with a mother-oriented site - women spend lots of time and money on the internet and that domain knowledge will help you and the firm pick good companies and make money. Good luck!
jboutelle 16y ago
1) Is this a job interview or a pitch opportunity? Unclear from OP. Obviously this effects things a lot. 2) In general VCs will not be impressed by numbers that are good for a bootstrapper. They're used to people spending a million dollars to get a million dollars worth of sales. VCs over-emphasize dealmaking as a business skill, since it's what they do all day. So use statements hings like "I was responsible for negotiating affiliate deal X with partner Y". VCs value raw growth, even on a low base. So say things like "I've been driving traffic numbers up 50%/month for the last several months".
- mcollins027 16y ago
  Thank you both. This question pertains to both my resume and the (hopefully) the subsequent interview. This is for an actual job with the VC, not a pitch for VC money. Re: resume, I'm searching for how to phrase/summarize my experience and accomplishments without it looking like a bunch of fluff and/or irrelevant data.
uedauhes 16y ago
@jboutelle makes some good points, especially wrt deal making. I'd definitely focus on that side of your past experience. Do you have any experience outside of bootstrapping?
- mcollins027 16y ago
  Yes, I have 7 years of experience in real estate development and finance. I have no problem characterizing these accomplishments as they are so straightforward. Now, all of the sudden, I don't know what to say about the last 3 years of startup work, esp since these sites were in the ramen/lobster profitable realm, not the multi-million dollar I'm-on-a-boat realm....
  - WillyF 16y ago
    I've never heard the term "lobster profitable." What does it mean?
    - bartonfink 16y ago
      If they become any less profitable, their investors have the right to boil them alive and eat them with lemon and drawn butter.
    - freddealmeida 16y ago
      I'm guessing it means you can afford a lobster dinner. no?

14 points by mcollins027 16y ago

deleted 16y ago

[deleted]

jasonshen 16y ago

I'm confused - are you writing a cover letter or actually doing an interview? Might help us give better answers. A couple thoughts off the top of my head: in general, I think your experiences as an entrepreneur will be really valuable to working at a VC firm. You might want to emphasize your ability to evaluate and advise the founders early stage companies (because you've been there). Also, there's nothing wrong with a mother-oriented site - women spend lots of time and money on the internet and that domain knowledge will help you and the firm pick good companies and make money. Good luck!

jboutelle 16y ago

1) Is this a job interview or a pitch opportunity? Unclear from OP. Obviously this effects things a lot. 2) In general VCs will not be impressed by numbers that are good for a bootstrapper. They're used to people spending a million dollars to get a million dollars worth of sales. VCs over-emphasize dealmaking as a business skill, since it's what they do all day. So use statements hings like "I was responsible for negotiating affiliate deal X with partner Y". VCs value raw growth, even on a low base. So say things like "I've been driving traffic numbers up 50%/month for the last several months".

mcollins027 16y ago
Thank you both. This question pertains to both my resume and the (hopefully) the subsequent interview. This is for an actual job with the VC, not a pitch for VC money. Re: resume, I'm searching for how to phrase/summarize my experience and accomplishments without it looking like a bunch of fluff and/or irrelevant data.

uedauhes 16y ago

@jboutelle makes some good points, especially wrt deal making. I'd definitely focus on that side of your past experience. Do you have any experience outside of bootstrapping?

mcollins027 16y ago
Yes, I have 7 years of experience in real estate development and finance. I have no problem characterizing these accomplishments as they are so straightforward. Now, all of the sudden, I don't know what to say about the last 3 years of startup work, esp since these sites were in the ramen/lobster profitable realm, not the multi-million dollar I'm-on-a-boat realm....
- WillyF 16y ago
  I've never heard the term "lobster profitable." What does it mean?
  - bartonfink 16y ago
    If they become any less profitable, their investors have the right to boil them alive and eat them with lemon and drawn butter.
  - freddealmeida 16y ago
    I'm guessing it means you can afford a lobster dinner. no?