How to craft your story to impress VCs

Hi! I’m glad you’re here. You’ve made it to issue #34 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.

The holidays are right around the corner! Maybe you have a loved one looking to break into VC or raise VC funding? Maybe, just maybe, you gift them a subscription to VC Demystified😜. Jokes aside, I hope everyone is prepping for the holiday season!

Today’s deep dive: The 5 questions to ask yourself to effectively craft your story for VC interviews

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 across my socials for those of you who prefer those channels.

The 5 questions to ask yourself to effectively craft your story for VC interviews

When I first started VC recruiting, I made A LOT of mistakes.

I received a ton of rejections, even from firms I now work with regularly.

Looking back, one of my biggest missteps was focusing on listing accomplishments instead of telling my story.

Here’s what I’ve learned from sitting on the other side of the table - and how you can avoid the same pitfalls.

Don’t just tell them WHAT you did — tell them the WHY

Simply rattling off your achievements doesn’t make you stand out. What interviewers really want to understand is your journey:

• What drives you?

• What decisions shaped your career path?

• What motivates you to work in venture capital?

Storytelling gives depth to your resume and shows your passions, thought process, and self-awareness.

How to Craft Your Story

To build a compelling narrative, start by asking yourself these 5 key questions:

1) What has caused me to switch roles?

• Was it an internal desire (e.g., craving a new challenge)?

• Or an external factor (e.g., the market shifting, company restructuring)?

2) What was missing in my previous role that I want in my next?

• What are you seeking that you were missing before (e.g., certain types of work, more autonomy, upward mobility, etc.)

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