In this episode, Joel Palathinkal chats with Steven Melia about his career shift to True Search and OpenView Ventures. They explore hiring in venture funds, strategies for joining top VCs, and OpenView's diverse team approach. Steve highlights the value of sales skills, personal branding, and a unique perspective in venture capital. They discuss crafting a career narrative, transitioning into venture, and essential skills for different VC stages. Topics include financial models, product-led growth (PLG) strategies, effective networking, blogging for differentiation, evaluating PLG companies, and SEO. The episode concludes with a nod to the OpenView podcast.

(0:00 ) Introduction to the podcast and guest Steve Malia
(1:50 ) Steve Malia's career and transition to True Search and OpenView Ventures
(6:29 ) Venture fund hiring processes and getting into tier one VCs
(9:08 ) OpenView’s team structure and the value of diverse hiring
(13:20 ) Sales skills and personal branding in venture capital
(20:56 ) Sector passion, innovative self-presentation, and having a perspective
(24:02 ) General managers' role and the importance of resumes
(27:11 ) Crafting your career narrative and discussing live deals
(31:29 ) Transitioning to venture and skill sets for different VC stages
(36:15 ) Financial models and product-led growth (PLG) strategies
(45:23 ) Challenges and effective approaches in PLG implementation
(48:01 ) Networking and cold outreach strategies for VC roles
(51:16 ) Blogging as a differentiation tool in venture capital
(54:52 ) Evaluating product-led growth companies
(58:12 ) SEO and marketing for VC content promotion
(1:00:02 ) Promoting the OpenView podcast and closing remarks