Writing a CV for a Startup
Venture Capital Startup jobs are coveted, competitive, and can be difficult to get. When a VC startup is hiring, they are going to be looking for top-tier talent and typically receive many applications. One of the important things to remember is that when applying for a startup, you shouldn’t use the same CV you’d send to a massive corporation. The hiring process is going to be different.
A VC startup is going to be much smaller than a corporation, and they will typically use a recruitment service like WorkBeast. Real human eyes will be looking at your CV, so let’s look at how to make sure it stands out.
Typos
To start, a typo can get your CV discarded immediately. Before sending it in, have someone proofread it. We know you’ve been staring at your CV for hours, and the longer you scrutinize it, the most likely you are to miss a simple typo. You may have all of the qualifications and be the perfect match, but one spelling or grammatical error can throw you out of the running.
Layout
Keep it short and simple. Your CV for a Venture Capital Startup should be a maximum of two pages long. Avoid anything flashy that will distract from your qualifications. If it’s annoying to read and focus on, it could end up in the discard pile.
Cover Letter
Another piece not to forget is a well-written cover letter. This is your chance to show your human side, instead of just listing off your skills. Capital Venture startups want to hire people, not robots to join a small team. They want people who care about what they’re doing and who will work well with others. Use the cover letter as an opportunity to show this.
While you should absolutely highlight your skills that make you fit for the job, talk about your life outside of the office, too. Talk about your interests, and maybe even a failure you bounced back from. A Venture Capital Startup wants to hire YOU, not your resume.
Skills
Listing off your employment history is not going to be enough for a Venture Capital Startup. Be sure to go into detail about what you’ve done for other startups or companies you’ve worked for. A VC startup is likely in the process of growing at a rapid pace, and they need employees who can keep up.
If you list a skill, be sure to have data to back it up. A VC startup isn’t looking to train and wait for you to get up to speed. You need to be ready to go and help them grow.
To sum it up, we know you’ve got the talent, now it’s time to showcase it! Keep it simple, but detailed. No flashy colors or typos. Get a second set of eyes to look at it. Most importantly, show off that you’re a real human that has the skills and dedication to help their Venture Capital Startup continue to grow.