Careers in venture capital can prove profitable if you take time to get the right training for VC jobs from reputable financial training institutions. While you're working on your VC training, start on the road to your career by working for a venture capital firm in an administrative position.

Since private equity jobs in venture capital require extensive knowledge about how small businesses operate, add business and management courses to your financial training. Look for training for venture capital jobs that suits your level of professional development.

1. Look for entry-level training to land your first job in venture capital.

2. Seek advanced training for VC jobs.

3. Participate in trade groups to find additional training for venture capital jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start a venture capital career with basic training

Look for training opportunities that will get you started in the industry with courses in areas such as investment banking, cash flow and capital raising. Get a basic understanding of the industry while adding seminars and training courses to your resume to land an entry-level position.

I recommend: Many venture capital firms prefer a bachelor's degree as the very minimum. The University of Wisconsin offers an undergraduate program in entrepreneurship that is perfect for starting venture capitalists. The Private Equity Finance Institute offers a wealth of courses that can help kick start your career. You can also compare venture capital training opportunities by visiting Training-Classes.com.

Look for advanced venture capital career training online

Whether you're going for an MBA or moving in the direction of an advanced finance degree, make sure you keep up with the latest VC training to stay abreast of the changing market. Coupled with a master's degree, executive VC training can prepare you for further career opportunities.

I recommend: Add a prestigious degree from the Harvard Business School to your VC resume. Check out the Venture Capital Executive Program offered by the University of California at Berkeley.

Join associations that offer venture capital career training to members

Since trade associations are run by and for the venture capitalist community, they know the kinds of issues you face when looking for jobs in venture capital. They put together relevant training and networking events that will help to advance your venture capital employment opportunities.

I recommend: The National Venture Capital Association provides professional development courses and seminars for VC professionals to continue their education. The Community Development Venture Capital Alliance puts on a big conference every year to provide an intensive educational event for members in addition to their regular meetings.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find venture capital career courses that include training in the latest electronic database research tools. These tools can help you find your next deal more quickly than more traditional methods.

Careers in venture capital are fast-paced and exciting. A venture capitalist job allows you to learn about the newest ideas in business and fund the projects that sound the most promising. Who wouldn't want that type of control?

Unfortunately, VC jobs are few and far between. Compared to other industries, there are simply not very many venture capital companies. The ones that do exist are generally quite small, employing less than 100 people. That means that competition for venture capital jobs is fierce and you must be able to beat the competition.

To stand out among the crowds of people applying for a venture capitalist job:

1. Have some experience. Most people start in other careers and then transfer their skills to a venture capital career. If you have some experience in venture capital, you will be ahead of the game.

2. Become an entrepreneur. If you yourself have started a business, then you'll be better able to decide which opportunities deserve a company's venture capital.

3. Get an MBA. This is a prerequisite for almost all jobs in venture capital.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gain experience for venture capital employment with an internship

There's no doubt that venture capital is a highly competitive industry and an internship can give you the experience you need to secure a good job in the future. Furthermore, an internship will allow you to meet people in the industry who you can later network with.

I recommend: Search the job boards at MySpace to find venture capital industry jobs. Alternatively, apply for a Kauffman Fellowship, which is a prestigious fellowship that allows you to make many contacts in the industry.

Turn to specialized job boards to find venture capital job opportunities

An online job board can be a great way to find positions to apply for. It's often better to turn to boards that specialize in certain industries instead of the well-known boards that attract a lot of unqualified people.

I recommend: Search for private equity venture capital jobs all over the world at eFinancialCareers. You can also find venture capital job openings at the Vault website. Both sites allow you to post your resume so that potential employers can find you.

Use venture capital employment services to find the perfect job

A professional employment service may be what you need to get your foot in the door. The public does not often have access to the venture capital industry, but a recruiter can provide you with the contacts you need.

I recommend: Both Opus Mitchell and Robert Half Finance & Accounting offer recruiting services for the finance sector. Contact them to get started with your job search.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A professional resume writer can help you to get venture capital jobs by tailoring your resume to reflect what venture capital firms are looking for.

To secure competitive venture capital jobs, education and training is paramount to success. With many venture capital job candidates vying for few positions, you need to ensure you have the best education and training to qualify you for any venture capital career opportunity.

For optimum venture capital employment opportunities, you need to understand all aspects of investing, proper negotiation skills to close a deal and how to manage VC projects from start to finish. As you consider jobs in venture capital, you should:

1. Understand the educational requirements necessary to secure a VC job.

2. Intern at a reputable venture capital firm for hands-on training and to establish yourself in the VC industry.

3. Use venture capital industry resources to search for potential vc jobs in the venture capital sector.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Follow educational requirements when you seek a venture capital career

To successfully prepare for venture capital jobs, education and training with a focus on finance is the foundation. A Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis on finance is an important and critical step in securing a job in venture capital.

I recommend: Choose undergraduate and graduate programs from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. The Center for Venture Capital and Private Equity Finance, part of the Ross School of Business, fosters knowledge in every aspect of venture capital for successful preparation for a venture capital career. Choose programs from reputable business schools such as Wharton or Harvard as a foundation for careers in venture capital.

Intern at a venture capital firm to gain experience and to network

Increase your VC job prospects and intern in the field of venture capital. The experience you gain, coupled with the contacts you make in the industry, can lead to fruitful venture capital job opportunities.

I recommend: The Kauffman Fellows Program offers qualified candidates venture capital apprenticeship opportunities with the possibility of permanent jobs in venture capital. The program uses a vast network of reputable VC firms to place candidates in the best positions in order to establish relationships and to garner experience. The University Venture Fund offers undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to work in a venture capital career. Facilitated by students and advisers, the University Venture Fund connects students to established venture capitalists and allows students an active role in all stages of venture capital transactions.

Utilize VC industry resources to locate potential venture capital careers

From venture capital directories to nationally and internationally-recognized VC associations, take advantage of reputable resources as a way to find VC internship possibilities, seminars and webinars to further your training in venture capital and to locate venture capital job openings.

I recommend: Apply for membership with the National Venture Capital Association. Benefits include professional development programs, free educational webcasts and access to venture capitalist networks. VC Experts provides up-to-date information on venture capital firms and trends, reference manuals for the VC industry, downloadable legal forms and training courses to prepare you for careers in venture capital.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Familiarize yourself with the MoneyTree Report, a venture capital publication used by companies that seek VC and the venture capital firms that provide it.

Competition for jobs in venture capital is fierce. From venture capital investors and angel investors to venture capital consultants, the right education and hands-on experience is key to secure the venture capital jobs that interest you.

Venture capital employment recruiting services can help connect you to the jobs in the VC industry that meet your knowledge and experience. The National Venture Capital Association is a great tool to use for up-to-date job postings in the VC field. Whether you want to work in a venture capital firm or would rather become an independent venture capital investor, become familiar with venture capital jobs key terms as you research your options.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Venture capitalist

A venture capitalist is an individual who offers financial support to businesses that require capital to finance start-up costs or projects. A venture capitalist can have an active role in the supported company through management or can take a silent role. The goal of a venture capitalist is to turn a profit.

I recommend: Read more about venture capitalists at fundingpost.com.

Venture capital consultants

Venture capital consultants are professionals who can help a business find and secure potential industry-specific venture capital. VC consultants can help formulate a business plan that is appropriate for seed/initial venture capital funds.

I recommend: Learn about the role venture capital consultants have within the VC industry at allvcc.com.

Angel investors

Angel investors invest capital plus management expertise in businesses that require money to support special projects or day-to-day expenditures.

I recommend: Small Business Notes offers extensive information on angel investors.

Venture capital employment recruiting services

Venture capital employment recruiting services assist potential venture capitalists in finding optimum employment in the VC industry. Venture capital recruiting firms offer services that include resume structuring, interview practice and feedback from potential VC jobs that fit your skill set.

I recommend: Dissero offers information on the services a typical venture capital recruiting firm provides.

National Venture Capital Association

The National Venture Capital Association is the leading organization for venture capitalists that offers information on VC news and trends. Members of the NVCA receive benefits that can assist in job searches through invaluable networking resources.

I recommend: Find out more information on the benefits of membership in the National Venture Capital Association.

Syndication

Syndication refers to a collection of funds generated by several venture capitalists to support one business.

I recommend: VC Syndicate offers further information about venture capital syndication.