I've noticed a fair number of people trying to work in the startup space are quite set on going into VC ("eventually"). Have you ever hired such a person? How did it go?
A red flag for what danger? Sounds like they're pretty dedicated to making themselves a lot of money to achieve that goal, presumably via working for your startup. I don't see why that would be a red flag at all; rather, they're probably going to be willing to work hard to realize that goal.
Ah, I guess I wasn't clear. They want to work for a VC firm.
The danger is that they aren't in it for the long haul, are just using this as a resume padder, and are looking to jump ship to a VC firm (or potentially a better resume padder) asap.
Honestly, the fact that you use the words "in it for the long haul" the way you do would be a red flag for me if I was a prospective hire.
I want to work at a place where the incentives are aligned in such a way that, if I really am some approximation of a rational economic agent, I would have no choice but to "be in it for the long haul", without having that be my intent on day one.
In other words: it is your job as a company to make a prospect stay there for the long haul; it is not their job to come in with that psychological state.
And yes, I'd like to work at a VC firm eventually.
I think where I disagree with you is that I don't think it's effective to "incentivise" someone to do a job that they fundamentally don't want to do.
First I want to find the right fit. Then I want to incentivise them. Is someone who wants a bit of "startup experience" before working for a VC firm the right fit?
Yea, sorry, I don't think we will be able to come to any sort of productive discussion here.
'I don't think it's effective to "incentivise" someone to do a job that they fundamentally don't want to do.'
I don't even know what this means. I don't see how anyone "fundamentally" would want to do anything to help you with your company unless you incentivize them.
To me, this sounds more or less like 'and then after high school I'll go to college' mental model of what it means to have a career. Working at a startup, then having a startup, then becoming a VC is how a guidance counselor might describe the career of 'entrepreneur'.
My advice, trust your gut. What matters is if it is a red-flag for you.
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[ 2.9 ms ] story [ 22.7 ms ] threadThe danger is that they aren't in it for the long haul, are just using this as a resume padder, and are looking to jump ship to a VC firm (or potentially a better resume padder) asap.
I want to work at a place where the incentives are aligned in such a way that, if I really am some approximation of a rational economic agent, I would have no choice but to "be in it for the long haul", without having that be my intent on day one.
In other words: it is your job as a company to make a prospect stay there for the long haul; it is not their job to come in with that psychological state.
And yes, I'd like to work at a VC firm eventually.
First I want to find the right fit. Then I want to incentivise them. Is someone who wants a bit of "startup experience" before working for a VC firm the right fit?
'I don't think it's effective to "incentivise" someone to do a job that they fundamentally don't want to do.'
I don't even know what this means. I don't see how anyone "fundamentally" would want to do anything to help you with your company unless you incentivize them.
My advice, trust your gut. What matters is if it is a red-flag for you.
Good luck.