For aspiring professionals with no Web3 experience, landing a Web3 job without prior experience can seem a challenging feat. In this article, we’ll explore actionable steps and strategies to help professionals with zero experience improve their chances of landing a job Web3.
How to get started in Web3 with no experience?
Just like embarking on any new career field or industry, professionals with limited or no exposure to the Web3 ecosystem frequently encounter the experience paradox or Catch-22 of employment: they can’t secure a job due to a lack of prior experience, yet gaining experience becomes challenging without an initial job opportunity. Fortunately, there are strategies and actionable steps individuals with little or no experience can take to break into the Web3 job market which we’ll present next.
1- Educate yourself on Web3 and blockchain technology
To kickstart a career in the Web3 space, a strong knowledge of the foundational concepts of blockchain technology is mandatory. Since Web3 is still a bit niche — at least compared to the traditional web — if you grasp these concepts you will immediately stand out in recruiting processes. Take online courses, follow industry experts and read dedicated blogs that delve into topics like decentralization, smart contracts, tokenization, and decentralized applications (dApps). The Web3 space is dynamic and ever-changing, so it’s important to stay up to date and actively engage with the latest developments, trends, and technologies. Here’s a list of the top 3 blogs, courses, and industry experts you should follow:
- Blogs: Cointelegraph, CoinDesk, The Block
- Courses: LayerX Academy, CoinMarket Academy, Crypto.com Univerty
- Industry experts: Cameron Winklevoss, Tim Draper,Changpeng Zao
2- Showcase your skills through a personal portfolio
One of the strategies to overcome the lack of practical experience is to build a portfolio and work on real-world projects. This hands-on experience can provide a tangible demonstration of your skills and capabilities. Whether it involves developing a decentralized application (DApp), deploying a smart contract, or exploring innovative use cases for blockchain, these projects demonstrate your initiative and practical understanding of Web3 concepts. A great way to kickstart your portfolio is by solving tasks in a task marketplace. Task marketplaces like Bepro are the perfect way to start building your portfolio, developing your skills while earning crypto along the way. Tasks are small gigs you can participate in, in exchange for a monetary reward. Any builder regardless of the level of expertise can solve tasks in Bepro. Just explore the Task Hall, browse through the tasks and tackle the ones that most align with your interests and skills. When you finish working on a task and submit your solution, the solution is reviewed, and if accepted by the community as the best solution, you are automatically granted the task reward.
3- Participate in hackathons and get real-world experience
Another great strategy to acquire experience to land a Web3 job is to participate in hackathons. Hackathons are usually 1–3 day events where participants come together to work on a specific project or problem. These events are not only great for networking and getting your foot in the door with Web3 companies, but they also serve as a platform to showcase your skills and acquire valuable real-world experience. TAIKAI hosts dozens of web3 hackathons every year from major companies such as Skarkware, Polygon, Cartesi and even the European Commission. If you’re new to hackathons, start with this guide or browse the TAIKAI’s hackathon page. When you join a hackathon, not only will you have a chance to win prizes and recognition, but you will also gain valuable skills and experience in the web3 space, making you a more attractive candidate for future job opportunities.
4- Contribute to open-source Web3 projects
Open source lies at the core of the Web3 ethos, emphasizing transparency, collaboration, and community-driven development. Contributing to open-source collaboration not only offers a tangible way to build your skills but also showcases your commitment to the Web3 community. You can showcase your projects and contributions on platforms like GitHub that provide an avenue to share code, collaborate with peers, and make contributions to the decentralized ecosystem.
4- Document your learning journey
By documenting your learning, you contribute to the collective knowledge of the Web3 community and open the door to building a professional network within the Web3 industry. You can leverage social media platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn to share bite-sized updates about your Web3 journey and use GitHub repositories to document your code and progress of your projects. This not only helps you stay connected with the community but also allows for real-time feedback.
5- Join Web3 communities
Web3 communities bring together people from different backgrounds, with various skills and perspectives. Participating in collaborative learning environments such as online forums, Discord channels, and specialized Web3 communities, allows you to stay up-to-date with the most recent trends and developments in the industry. It’s also a great way to connect with professionals and interact with fellow community members through discussions, debates, and idea sharing. You can join LayerX’s builder community on Discord or Telegram and become part of a community of +4.000 members that actively contribute to discussions, share valuable insights, and collaborate on innovative projects within the Web3 space.
6- Showcase transferable skills
Transferable skills are abilities and qualities that you have already developed and can be transferred from one job to another: communication, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, creativity, and adaptability, just to name a few. These skills are valuable regardless of the industry or job role and are increasingly becoming a focal point in recruitment. If you craft a compelling narrative highlighting how previous job or life experiences have helped you develop these types of skills, you will increase your chances of standing out.
7- Attend Web3 events
One of the main benefits of attending Web3 events is the unparalleled networking opportunities they present. These events usually bring together people with diverse backgrounds and experiences with a shared interest in blockchain and serve as fertile ground for valuable networking. Besides, you’ll also learn from industry leaders about the situation of the market and emerging trends from the best in the field. Here’s a nice resource to help you stay updated on the latest Web3 events.
9- Build a Web3 CV
A resume is like a promotional tool that helps you show off your skills and experience to potential employers. Having a good resume can really make or break your chances of landing a job. That’s why in the next section, we’ll cover in detail how to build a killer Web3 resume. 💥
How to create a CV specifically for Web3?
When you go about creating your Web3 resume, keep in mind that each section serves a specific purpose in presenting a holistic view of your qualifications and experience. While traditional resumes tend to focus on general programming languages and project management skills, Web3 resumes highlight expertise in blockchain technology and programming languages like Solidity or Vyper. They usually also include a section dedicated to showcasing a personal portfolio or open-source contributions, providing potential employers with concrete examples of your abilities.
Structure your Web3 resume thoughtfully
Structuring a resume effectively is very important because it serves as your professional snapshot and the first impression potential employers have of you. A well-structured resume will not only capture the attention of recruiters but also make it easy for them to quickly assess your qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position.
When crafting your Web3 resume, make sure to include at least the following information and sections:
- Contact information: Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, LinkedIn profile and links to online portfolios if you have them. Keep in mind this information should be easily visible and accessible.
- Personal statement or summary: Introduce yourself and explain why you’re the ideal candidate for the position with a strong personal statement or short paragraph.
- Technical and soft kills: Highlight your technical proficiency and areas of expertise relevant to Web3 and also your soft skills.
- Work experience: Include your previous work experience, highlighting transferable skills from previous roles that align with Web3 requirements.
- Education and certifications: Showcase your academic background and any relevant courses or certifications you have taken.
- Projects and open-source contributions: Include a brief description of personal projects you have developed or open-source contributions you have made with links to those projects or code repositories.
In conclusion
As the Web3 ecosystem expands, so does the demand for skilled professionals. However, landing a web3 job with no experience goes beyond the traditional norms of applying to a job. The Web3 ecosystem thrives on collaboration and a set of skills that go beyond technical proficiency! Being actively engaged with the blockchain community and building hands-on experience by working on real-world projects are the best ways for aspiring professionals to land a job opportunity in the fascinating world of Web3.
Remember, keep on #building!
About TAIKAI
Join TAIKAI today and become a part of our thriving community of passionate web developers. You’ll have the chance to showcase your skills, collaborate with top tech companies, and win exciting prizes. Sign up now and start hacking your way to success!
