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We are hiring for two new positions at Spark Capital.
One new role is an Analyst position.
We’re looking for someone to help us organize the collective knowledge of the firm and the portfolio using a combination of web services and entrepreneurial grit.
The gig is probably most similar to a Product Manager role inside a small startup. Being only eight people on the investment team, Spark is a bit of a startup of its own, and the analyst’s role would be to find help us scale our network, our internal reporting, and our effectiveness with portfolio companies’ management.
This role is a great way to learn what venture capital is all about. It’s also a role that would require taking on incredible responsibility outside typical experience one day, and also handling very administrative basic tasks the next day; each of which are critically important to success in this job.
Learn more about the Analyst role…
The other new role is an Associate.
The term “associate” means different things at different firms. At Spark, here is how we define the role:
An associate at Spark is part of our investment team in our Boston office. He or she will help our team with market & competitive analysis, process deal flow, source new investment opportunities, due diligence potential investments, assist our portfolio companies, attend & organize meetups as well as various other firm responsibilities such as annual reports and portfolio analysis.
This is not a classic two year and out program. We are looking for someone that will grow with us or possibly join one of our portfolio companies over time. The investment team at Spark is small so there is no clearly defined path or mentorship. You need to be ready to make your own way.
Learn more about the Associate role…
How to Apply:
If you’re interested in the Analyst position, throw your hat in the ring via this form.
If you think the Associate gig is your cup of tea, then get in touch with us here.
If you apply for one job and we think you’re a better fit for the other job, we will let you know and shift things around appropriately. A good way to think about which role you fit best is work experience. 0-1 year experience is likely best for the Analyst role whereas 2-4 years is likely best for the Associate role.
I’m happy to answer any questions about these jobs in the comments, so hopefully the answers will benefit everyone.
We look forward to hearing from you…
I’d like to pick up where Bijan left off yesterday in his “Looking for a job? Be helpful" post. Bijan’s recommendations are spot on for anyone out there trying to land a job. But there are unfortunately more qualified people looking for jobs today than there are opportunities available.
So what to do if you can’t get the gig you want?
My first piece of advice is practical. Focus on the company more than the job. Try and find a job at a great company even if it is beneath your skill and experience level. And when you get there, as GaryVee would say, crush it! Your performance will stand for itself, and if it’s truly a great company you’ll be rewarded with more work and responsibility than you can handle.
My second and more important piece of advice is largely impractical and especially relevant for those that can’t get into the companies they want. Disappear. Go to Europe, Asia or Africa, somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, take a menial job to pay for room and board and just get out there. Learn about other parts of the world, other people and most importantly yourself. You may never have another opportunity to do so.
This is especially true for students with limited work experience just coming out of school. I took a year off in between high school and college and moved out to Israel. It is to this day one of the best things I have ever done. I learned more about myself that year than I ever have. I would encourage anyone who can to do the same. It’ll make you more well rounded, thoughtful and interesting.
Another thing worth thinking about is public service. There are some very unique opportunities to get involved today with the new administration and the herculean challenges ahead. I met some Harvard students traveling from Boston to NYC the other day and asked them what had changed in terms of career paths for graduating seniors given the current economic crisis. They almost in unison told me that more students were pursuing public service opportunities. This is fantastic. Our country needs bright, young, energetic folks to get involved. And this is a great opportunity for graduates to get their careers going, meet incredible people and give back.
Not having the gig you want is a great opportunity to do what you never thought you would. So get out there and seize the moment. It will reward you in spades in the long run.