How to build a web3 portfolio

LayerX
7 min readOct 31, 2024

--

Globalization and borderless recruiting have intensified competition for every job position, making it essential to stand out. A web3 portfolio can help you do just that by showcasing your unique skills and experiences. In this article, we’ll explore what a web3 portfolio is and how you can build a standout web3 portfolio.

What is a web3 portfolio and why should you create one?

A web3 portfolio is a curated selection of web3 projects, contributions, and skills within the decentralized tech space. Beyond technical skills alone, a strong web3 developer portfolio highlights an individual’s achievements and hands-on experience with decentralized technologies, demonstrating their expertise in the field.

Unlike traditional industries, where achievements are often tied to specific companies or teams, web3 is fundamentally based on collaboration, placing high value on hands-on experience and active involvement in the ecosystem.

Showcasing your work in a portfolio demonstrates to potential collaborators and employers that you’re not only skilled but also invested in contributing to the ecosystem and engaging with the web3 community, which can certainly help you stand out from the competition and build trust within the space.

The difference between a web3 portfolio and a web3 resume

A web3 resume is typically a concise document, limited to one or two pages, that highlights your education, past job roles, and any qualifications or certifications you’ve completed. A web3 portfolio, on the other hand, is a more dynamic and interactive showcase of your work, emphasizing your skills in action and providing concrete examples of how you’ve applied them to real-world projects. In a nutshell, a resume serves as a static snapshot of your professional journey, highlighting what you’ve done, while a portfolio demonstrates how you’ve done it.

How to build a web3 portfolio that stands out

Taking the time to craft a strong portfolio is a great way to make a lasting first impression and stand out from the competition, so here are some key tips to help you build your killer web3 portfolio.

1- Structuring your web3 portfolio

A good portfolio should be well structured and include all relevant web3 projects and contributions that highlight your skills and active engagement within the web3 ecosystem. Here’s how you should structure your portfolio:

Introduction: Open your portfolio with a brief overview introducing who you are, your core skills, and your involvement in the web3 ecosystem. This introduction provides context for your projects and highlights your personal background and interests.

Projects and work samples: This is the core of your portfolio, where you showcase your most impactful work and contributions. Select examples that best demonstrate your skills, problem-solving abilities, and hands-on experience within the ecosystem, including descriptions and quantifiable results.

Images and visuals: Visuals help bring your projects to life, so be sure to include high-quality images, screenshots, or other visuals to give potential employers a clear and engaging representation of your work.

Tech stack: Another essential element of your portfolio, this section should list the specific tools, languages, and technologies you’ve used across your web3 projects. It highlights your technical expertise and familiarity with relevant Web3 tools and platforms, offering a quick snapshot of the breadth and depth of your skill set.

Web3 resume: Alongside your portfolio, include a concise Web3 resume summarizing your professional experience, key roles, skills, and achievements. Unlike the in-depth portfolio, your resume serves as a quick, structured reference for easy scanning.

Testimonials, awards, and recognitions: If any of your projects have won awards or received notable recognition, be sure to include them here. Additionally, consider testimonials from clients or mentors to strengthen your credibility and showcase the value of your work.

Updates and maintenance: Regularly update your portfolio to reflect your latest projects, skills, and accomplishments. Keeping it current shows that you are actively engaged in your field and continuously evolving.

2- Contributions you can include in your web3 portfolio

Beyond fully-fledged web3 projects, there are many other types of contributions you can share. Here are a few key elements that can make your portfolio shine:

  • Open-source contributions: Contributing to open-source projects on platforms like GitHub showcases both your technical and collaborative skills, allowing others to see your coding standards, problem-solving abilities, and dedication to decentralized technology.
  • Hackathon participation: Web3 hackathons are a core part of the web3 community, making them the ideal environment for demonstrating your skills and active engagement in the space. In fact, hackathons are among the favorite ways of web3 companies and projects to connect with builders, so it’s a good idea to keep yourself active and participating whenever possible. By doing so, you not only build your skills and portfolio with real-life projects, but you also gain opportunities to network with other builders, mentors, and industry leaders, opening doors for future collaborations and job opportunities. You can highlight any awards, recognitions, or notable projects to showcase your creativity, problem-solving, and engagement with the web3 space.

The user’s profile on TAIKAI can also function as a portfolio, as it allows you to list social media links, work experience, education, and a bio. It even includes a history of your projects and Proof of Participation from past hackathons, making it a compelling showcase of your skills and achievements.

Start building your web3 portfolio today by participating in a web3 hackathon! TAIKAI hosts dozens of hackathons each year, so browse our page and apply to hack.

  • Technical blog posts: Creating blog posts or tutorials on web3 topics like smart contracts, DeFi, or blockchain security adds value to your portfolio by showcasing both expertise and communication skills. Employers look for individuals who can explain complex concepts clearly, making this a great way to set yourself apart. You can publish your content on platforms like Medium, Mirror, Substack, or Hackernoon to reach a wider audience and enhance your portfolio’s visibility.
  • Contribution and participation in web3 communities: Engaging with web3 communities, such as DAOs or online forums, taking on mentorship roles, or moderating online discussions on platforms like Reddit or Discord reflects your dedication to the ecosystem and shows that you stay up-to-date with the latest trends.

3- The best tools and resources for your portfolio

To build a portfolio that truly stands out, here are some of the best tools and resources to showcase your work and skills effectively:

Next.js: A powerful React framework for building fast, optimized, and scalable web3 portfolios, Next.js supports server-side rendering and static site generation, ideal for creating dynamic portfolios with smooth navigation and high performance.

Astro: Astro is a modern web framework for building fast, content-focused websites, optimizing page load by only loading essential JavaScript — perfect for high-performance web3 portfolios without compromising design quality.

Framer: Framer is a design and prototyping tool for creating interactive, high-fidelity web3 portfolio layouts. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and animations make it easy to build engaging, responsive designs without extensive coding.

The possibilities are endless, depending on your creativity and how far you want to go to make your portfolio stand out, but adding a web3 integration is a great way to earn extra points. For example, you can leverage tools like RainbowKit, WalletConnect, and OnChainKit to enable wallet integration or Talent Protocol to bring your professional reputation on-chain.

Finally, your portfolio, website, or app will need a hosting platform, and fortunately, there are plenty of excellent free options, such as good old GitHub, Vercel, and Netlify. You can also use tools like Zora to present your work in a social media-style format.

As you build your portfolio, remember to explore various design styles to make your portfolio visually appealing and prioritize user experience by making navigation intuitive and your work easily accessible. You don’t want potential employers to miss out on your talent, right? 💪

To illustrate what we covered in this article, we’ve compiled three outstanding examples of web3 portfolios that will inspire you and help kickstart your own portfolio creation process.

A final word

The competition for landing a job is tougher than ever, but a strong portfolio can really set you apart from the crowd, especially in an industry that is fairly recent and still evolving like web3. Crafting a good portfolio shows your attention to detail and willingness to run the extra mile so it’s essential to invest time in showcasing your skills, projects, and unique contributions effectively.

Beyond merely listing your skills, portfolios offer the added benefit of providing tangible proof of soft skills like creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration that may be difficult to convey on a resume alone. A well-crafted portfolio will not only highlight your current capabilities but also reflect your commitment to continuous learning and improvement to potential employers.

About TAIKAI

TAIKAI is the leading hackathon hosting platform that connects organizations and web3 projects with top talent from around the world to accelerate innovation and build creative solutions to real-world problems. Its native token TKAI, serves as the core utility and rewards mechanism within the platform, empowering users to participate, collaborate, and earn for their contributions

--

--

LayerX
LayerX

Written by LayerX

Building next-generation web3 products. We are a builder hub that connects developers and organizations through hackathons and bounties.