6 traits that will make you a top VC candidate

Hi! I’m glad you’re here. You’ve made it to issue #46 of VC Demystified🪄.

My name’s Nicole - I’m a Principal at an early stage venture fund, and I know firsthand that VC can often be a black box. Breaking into the industry may feel daunting and resources can seem scarce and inaccessible. I wanted to put together a newsletter to give others the playbook I wish I had when I first started.

Got to speak with 2 more of you this week. Such incredible conversations! Brings me so much energy to meet you all.

Today’s deep dive: The must-have characteristics that separate great VCs from the rest and how to showcase them in your next interview

^{My personal mission is to open as many doors as possible for other people and this newsletter is just one avenue to do that. As always, I will continue to post VC insights daily for free across my socials.}

Read time: 8 minutes

The must-have characteristics that separate great VCs from the rest and how to showcase them in your next interview

If you’re just starting in VC or looking to break in, you’ve probably asked yourself: What separates a good VC from a great one?

It’s a mix of hard and soft skills.

Here are 6 must-have characteristics of truly great VCs - why they matter and how to demonstrate them in your interviews.

1. Curiosity

Why it’s important:
Great VCs are relentlessly curious. They’re constantly exploring new sectors, questioning assumptions, and seeking out founders with unique insights. Curiosity drives them to ask better questions during diligence and uncover opportunities others miss.

Ultimately, VC is a ever-evolving career with the emergence of new technologies and new market trends. You have to want to learn about those consistently.

How to show it in interviews:

• Prepare deep-dive questions: Demonstrate your curiosity by asking detailed questions about the fund’s investment thesis, recent deals, or portfolio company performance. Avoid generic questions like “What’s your average check size?”

• Reference market research: Mention a specific sector report or a market map you saw or created. For example, “I recently read a report on B2B payments automation and was intrigued by the 30% CAGR - how do you see that trend playing out in your portfolio?”

• Talk about your learning habits: Highlight how you consistently learn about new trends/markets - whether it’s reading industry reports weekly, listening to niche podcasts or following certain individuals on Linkedin or X.

2. Adaptability

Why it’s important:
VC is a fast-moving industry. Sectors go hot and cold quickly, and macroeconomic factors can shift investment strategies overnight. Great VCs can adapt their theses based on new data without getting overly attached to past beliefs. Adaptability is key to staying relevant and capturing opportunities in emerging spaces.

VCs should abide by the saying - Have “strong opinions, loosely held.”

How to show it in interviews:

• Give an example of a thought change: Share a time when you adapted quickly to new information - such as shifting focus to a different sector based on emerging data.

• Reference a market shift: Mention a recent trend, like the impact of AI on valuations and explain how you’d adjust your approach.

• Be ready to pivot in case studies: If you present a case study and the VC presents new information, be ready to change your thinking / investment decision in real-time.

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