Venture for America Interview Questions
& Process

You submit an application with some essay questions about why you should be considered for the program. If you're selected, you'll have a 1:1 interview. They prepare you really well for it with a checklist that helps you practice answering questions that are very similar to what the interviewer asks. If you pass your 1:1 interview, you're invited to Selection Day. We started with coffee and introductions with the judges and other potential fellows. We then did several fun group activities that really let you showcase your leadership skills. It was on Zoom, so everyone had to make sure they were in a quiet place with good internet for a few hours. They give you advance notice for your activities by providing background info and cases. Towards the end of Selection Day, you have another 1:1 interview, which is easy if you did well in the first one. I really wanted to be in the program, so I got a little nervous sometimes, but it was a great experience and I'd do it all over again!

You start by applying online and submitting some essays and the usual application info. Then, there's a 40-minute 1:1 with someone from VFA, mainly asking behavioral questions and about your past experiences, plus what you'd bring to VFA. If that goes well, you get invited to selection day, which was a Zoom call for my group. Zoom made group discussions tough, with lots of interruptions, especially when people tried to talk at the same time. You have to solve 3 case study questions. One was given in advance, and more details came out during the interview. One case involved rating employees on their ethics based on a story. Another was a group task to create a small business pitch, where one person presents each part and most group members get asked questions about it. They also discussed the case study that was sent beforehand. It all seemed pretty straightforward, maybe too much so. I think providing evidence and reasoning for my answers was the best strategy. Selection Day wraps up with a final 1:1 interview, including a DEI question. I felt like the group part and the DEI question went really well, but I didn't get an offer. I'm worried the DEI aspect might have hurt my chances, given how well I thought I did in the group interview and the positive responses I received. I could be wrong, but I felt like I handled every question professionally and confidently.

The interview process was very relaxing and chill. Showing passion and a willingness to work is key to doing well. It was also a quick process, with no more than three interviews. Doing some research beforehand is recommended.

After uploading your resume, you'll have to write some short essays to let us know who you are and why VFA interests you. Then there's a video interview where they'll ask you a couple of behavioral questions. Selection Day is designed to test your character and thought process by putting you in competitive and uncomfortable situations.