Engaging with Startups - University of Pennsylvania

Engaging with Startups

MBACM Entrepreneurship Team

January 2019

Agenda

? "How to Approach Startups" ? Scenarios for Startup Interaction ? 2nd Year Panel ? Q&A ? Appendix*

*Appendix includes:

- Sample cover letters - Interview prep advice - Some sample interview questions - After the interview advice - Startup compensation data - Thoughts on your digital brand

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MBA Career Management

Alumni Quotes . . . .

Have

Surprise me with how much you know (but with

humility).

Conviction!

Have an MBA, don't be an MBA!

Be a user (of

our product)!

Be willing to do anything...to roll up your sleeves!

Every startup is different...so be thoughtful

in your approach.

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MBA Career Management

How to Approach Startups

"You can work at any start-up you want . . . " ? If you are serious and focused ? Commit to what you really want ? Your weapon of choice = Genuine Domain Insight

MBA Career Management

How to Approach Startups

Find your niche... ? Be passionate about target sector / area / product(s)

? This creates a competitive advantage ? You'll ramp faster in areas that actually excite you

? Mine your background

? Industry before school ? Extra-curricular / outside-of-work passions + activities ? Structure your Wharton activities towards your goal

MBA Career Management

How to Approach Startups

You have no idea where your start-up job will come from

? Embrace this truth and adapt ? Any conversation can have impact, can lead to something ? You will soon be more connected than people you're meeting, so

connect them to each other

Practice Patience

? Iterate ? don't swing for the fences first time up at bat ? Add value to whomever you're meeting at each step of the

process ? make it easy to intro you to others ? Don't ask for a job!

MBA Career Management

Scenarios for Startup Interaction

1. Networking with Alumni or "warm" contacts 2. Making connections through VC firms 3. Contacting the startup directly 4. Actual Job Postings

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Scenario 1: Alumni or "Warm Contact"

? Find common ground ? Alums both MBA & Undergrad ? Other MBAs at company ? Prior company / industry

? State purpose of meeting ? Advice, information, research ? Career path and questions about his/her role are fair game

? Make it easy for them to say yes ? Offer specific dates/times ? Plan ahead: Don't ask to meet THAT week or talk TOMORROW ? 15-20 minutes, phone chat, or near their office, etc.

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