Finding a job with a private equity or venture capital firm is a challenge. Although there are several hundred firms Internationally, they are made up of small groups of people. There is very little movement of experienced staff between firms or out of the sector. As the teams are small and stable they only recruit occasionally and their requirements are exacting. Most firms would rather not hire than recruit the 'wrong' person. This means that you will need to have both the skills and the personality to fit within any particular team.
And, the recruitment process can be arduous. If you have secured a first interview, which goes well, you may then need to meet all the members of the team to ensure that each member is comfortable with you and you with them. A single voice of dissent at the seventh interview can be rather dispiriting!
To increase your chances of success.
Identify the sector where your skills are most likely to fit.
Identify the role best suited to your experience.
Ensure that you maintain awareness of current job opportunities by keeping an eye on the following.
- The recruitment sections of appropriate media, generally the Financial Times and Sunday Times.
- Appropriate sector media for specialist private equity and venture capital roles.
- Web based sources such as efinancial careers.
- Web sites of recruitment companies.
- The private equity and venture capital firms themselves.