The crypto job market is hot at the moment. According to LinkedIn data, job postings with titles containing terms like "bitcoin," "ethereum," "blockchain", and "cryptocurrency" grew 395% in the U.S. from 2020 to 2021, outpacing the broader tech industry — which saw a 98% increase in listings during the same period.
Whether looking to start your career in blockchain and crypto or looking to transition, below are my five top tips to help you on your journey, regardless of your experience:
1. Crypto & Blockchain Experience
The first thing that employers look at is whether you have prior experience in the crypto, blockchain, or digital asset space. If yes, the chances of being asked for a screening call with a recruiter significantly increase. Direct experience with a digital asset exchange (Coinbase, Gemini), a blockchain company (Algorand, r3) bank (BNY Mellon, BlackRock), tech company (Meta), or fintech (Revolut) is the most desirable but not the only source of relevant experience.
I recently met with someone who has successfully made the transition from Web2 to Web3 and they shared some great insights and advice. "While prior experience in the space gives you a leg up, it's not the most important thing. The ability to identify the role requirements and share examples of how you have navigated similar scenarios in the past (backed up with clear stories/examples) will really help you to breakthrough the talent pool. I personally had zero work experience in Web3 prior to starting my current role but my account management/partner management skills and experience has helped me set a foundation for crafting the necessary working models and mental models for how I can be successful and useful in this role".
"How do I get experience when I have no experience?" is what commonly comes up, and it's a fair question. The trick here is finding ways to gain experience, even part-time or on a voluntary basis.
Things to Consider
- Identify the companies you would like to work with and see if there are any ways to work on projects on a part-time or voluntary basis.
- Are there any national or community blockchain and crypto groups you can join to get first-hand experience and build your network? As a data point, several people have joined Blockchain Ireland working groups (developer, start-up, legal and reg. education, and skills). This has resulted in people gaining skills and building their networks to get their foot in the door with a crypto or blockchain company. DLT Talents, Women in Blockchain Talks, and BlockW are also fantastic initiatives to consider.
- Don't forget to demonstrate your transferable skills, whether marketing, coding, project management, or community development.
2. Crypto & Blockchain Education
When interviewing people for crypto and blockchain roles, many folks say they are deep into crypto. It's great to see people passionate about blockchain and crypto, but you need to have evidence to back this up. There are many great courses for people to take from prestigious universities such as Wharton, UCLA, Oxford, Bocconi and Trinity College Dublin. More moderately priced courses are available from Udemy and LinkedIn. There are also excellent free online courses, such as Gary Gensler's MIT lectures through YouTube and Michael Saylor's saylor.org Academy 'Bitcoin for Everybody'. If you want a more tailored, hands-on experience, lots of start-ups and niche education players are popping up in this space like The DeFi Coach, Calyptus, 101blockchains, the Blockchain Academy and CrystlyCrypto.
Things to Consider
- Take the time time to complete a course or multiple courses. It does not have to be an expensive course.
- Add it to your CV/resume and LinkedIn profile
- Chances are you have transferable skills through previous employers and projects. Make sure these are easily visible in your cover letter, LinkedIn note, and CV/resume.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorykehoe/2022/03/02/5-top-tips-to-get-a-job-in-crypto/?sh=5a075eb341a1
Whether looking to start your career in blockchain and crypto or looking to transition, below are my five top tips to help you on your journey, regardless of your experience:
1. Crypto & Blockchain Experience
The first thing that employers look at is whether you have prior experience in the crypto, blockchain, or digital asset space. If yes, the chances of being asked for a screening call with a recruiter significantly increase. Direct experience with a digital asset exchange (Coinbase, Gemini), a blockchain company (Algorand, r3) bank (BNY Mellon, BlackRock), tech company (Meta), or fintech (Revolut) is the most desirable but not the only source of relevant experience.
I recently met with someone who has successfully made the transition from Web2 to Web3 and they shared some great insights and advice. "While prior experience in the space gives you a leg up, it's not the most important thing. The ability to identify the role requirements and share examples of how you have navigated similar scenarios in the past (backed up with clear stories/examples) will really help you to breakthrough the talent pool. I personally had zero work experience in Web3 prior to starting my current role but my account management/partner management skills and experience has helped me set a foundation for crafting the necessary working models and mental models for how I can be successful and useful in this role".
"How do I get experience when I have no experience?" is what commonly comes up, and it's a fair question. The trick here is finding ways to gain experience, even part-time or on a voluntary basis.
Things to Consider
- Identify the companies you would like to work with and see if there are any ways to work on projects on a part-time or voluntary basis.
- Are there any national or community blockchain and crypto groups you can join to get first-hand experience and build your network? As a data point, several people have joined Blockchain Ireland working groups (developer, start-up, legal and reg. education, and skills). This has resulted in people gaining skills and building their networks to get their foot in the door with a crypto or blockchain company. DLT Talents, Women in Blockchain Talks, and BlockW are also fantastic initiatives to consider.
- Don't forget to demonstrate your transferable skills, whether marketing, coding, project management, or community development.
2. Crypto & Blockchain Education
When interviewing people for crypto and blockchain roles, many folks say they are deep into crypto. It's great to see people passionate about blockchain and crypto, but you need to have evidence to back this up. There are many great courses for people to take from prestigious universities such as Wharton, UCLA, Oxford, Bocconi and Trinity College Dublin. More moderately priced courses are available from Udemy and LinkedIn. There are also excellent free online courses, such as Gary Gensler's MIT lectures through YouTube and Michael Saylor's saylor.org Academy 'Bitcoin for Everybody'. If you want a more tailored, hands-on experience, lots of start-ups and niche education players are popping up in this space like The DeFi Coach, Calyptus, 101blockchains, the Blockchain Academy and CrystlyCrypto.
Things to Consider
- Take the time time to complete a course or multiple courses. It does not have to be an expensive course.
- Add it to your CV/resume and LinkedIn profile
- Chances are you have transferable skills through previous employers and projects. Make sure these are easily visible in your cover letter, LinkedIn note, and CV/resume.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorykehoe/2022/03/02/5-top-tips-to-get-a-job-in-crypto/?sh=5a075eb341a1
