How to Get a Web3 Job in 2024: A Step-By-Step Guide

Introduction

Before we can explore how to get a web3 job, we should understand that landing any job is tricky and needs a lot of patience and hard work. Let us start with what it is and then we shall read several points that will help your job search. This article is an answer to all of your questions related to your job query.

What is Web3?

It is a term that is used to refer internet that is decentralized and is based on blockchain technology. Unlike its earlier versions (web1.0 and web2.0), this “read, write, execute web” avoids the third-party control of the internet and offers an autonomous solution for web users. Users, would not need to identify themselves using their usernames and passwords but would be assigned decentralized identities that would be common for all the platforms.

What Makes It?

The main components are:

Blockchain Technology: Blockchains form the foundation of this new internet. This technology has paved the way to provide transparency, immutability, and security to interconnected computers throughout the world.
Decentralized Applications (dApps): Another important constituent of this new form of net is a dApp or decentralized app. These apps are built on blockchain and do not need an intermediary to function. Dapps automate themselves by using smart contracts.
Smart Contracts: A smart contract is a digital contract that executes on its own. It runs via a set of instructions written in a code. The rules and conditions required for the autonomous operation of the contract are written inside its code. When these rules are met, the smart contract executes on its own.
User Control and Data Ownership: It provides a user full control over his/her data. The user is able to transfer the assets seamlessly across multiple platforms. User decides what data s/he needs to share with others, thus giving him/her real ownership of his/her identity.
Interoperability: It promotes interoperability, allowing different blockchain networks and dApps to seamlessly communicate and interact with each other. This enables the transfer of assets and data across different platforms, enhancing the overall user experience and expanding the possibilities of decentralized applications.
Tokenization and Cryptocurrencies: It is the foundation stone for cryptocurrencies and tokens. It allows the creation of these assets which represent real-world assets. This tokenization helps in creating a number of use cases for blockchain.

How to Get a Web3 Job?

The answer to how to get a job in web3 is not straightforward. You need to develop the necessary skills and expertise for the position that you are applying for. Let us see what efforts you can put in for to get a job in blockchain.

Gain knowledge about underlying concepts: This is the first step that answers your question of how to get a web3 job. You need to understand the underlying concepts such as Defi, dApps, smart contracts, NFTs, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and tokenomics. The deeper you go, the higher is your chance of landing a job.

You should know the underlying networks and technologies across these concepts. Gain a thorough understanding of how Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, and other networks work. Also, keeping yourself updated with the latest technological trends can take you very far.
Gain relevant skills: This is a “must-do” step if you want to land a job. Without skills, no one is going to take you seriously. Learn programming languages like Solidity and Rust that are used majorly for creation of blockchain-based protocol. Additionally, having knowledge of cryptography, cyber-security, blockchain protocols, and (DeFi) concepts can be very valuable.
Build, Build, Build: Nothing is more useful than creating a blockchain project of your own. Try creating projects using standard blockchain concepts such as smart contracts and dApps. Contributing to the open-source communities and participating in hackathons can be a very good step towards sharing your knowledge with others and gaining new skills.
Join platforms and communities: By being active on blockchain-based platforms like GitHub, Stack Exchange, and Git Coin, you can open new doors of collaboration. While you can share your experiences with others, you can also learn from the expertise of others. Keep yourself active on social media platforms and increase your network there.
Network and attend events: It is a connected world and so, you should also remain connected with the community. Attend blockchain conferences, community talks, AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions from experts in this domain and participate in discussions on trending topics. Networking can do wonders for you and can make your job-hunting process a smooth sail.
Explore job opportunities: To get a job, you must apply for it, and this is possible if you are active on job-boards. Keep an eye on the career section of the companies that you want to be part of. Unlike before, you will find a number of job boards strewn everywhere on the internet. A few examples are Wellfound, Ethlance, and Gitcoin Grants. A long list of these job boards is given at the end of this article.
Showcase your expertise: To make people believe in your skills and knowledge, nothing can be better than a portfolio where you can showcase your expertise. Do not hesitate from creating blockchain-based articles and videos on the technologies that you are adept in and publishing research papers to demonstrate your knowledge.
Be adaptable and keep learning: Last but not the least, keep yourself updated with the latest trends and technologies. Explore emerging markets and try to find out where you stand in terms of knowledge of these new trends. Try to upgrade yourself continuously.
Prepare Resume: Make a good resume having all your skills, expertise, and past experiences, and keep it ready before you start applying for a blockchain-based job. Also, make a good cover letter. If you do not know how to create one, you can take the help of online free cover letter portals such as zety and resume.io. Do not forget to use the keywords used in the job description of the specific role that you are eyeing. You can use the templates available online. Remembers that a good cover letter can be the deciding factor when a recruiter is shortlisting a list of resume.
Approach recruiters directly: If you are planning to approach recruiters directly, send them an email briefly explaining your skills and why you are a perfect fit for the role. Show your interest in the company by dropping a line or two about it.
On the day of the interview: Come all prepared for the interview. While you may not be able to answer all the questions that the interviewer asks, keeping yourself confident throughout the session would impart a good impression. If s/he does not agree with your point, do not debate. Just reply in a polite manner that you do not agree on that with him/her.

Personal Experience

Now that you have have learned about how to get a web3 job, let me share with you my personal experience. I got into blockchain in 2021. I started by investing in a few cryptocurrencies and understanding wallets and exchanges in the process. As my interest grew, I did a few online courses in blockchain and that laid the foundation stone for my career in this field. I leveled up my understanding of blockchain, tried to understand how things work behind, gained an understanding of the core concepts working behind this technology, and tried to delve deeper into it.

As my understanding of the field grew, I started writing articles on the concepts that I got to know during this period. After gaining some more knowledge of the tools, technologies, and protocols that work behind this technology, I created a portfolio where I showcased my work to recruiters.

After a few misses here and there, I finally got myself a job in a leading blockchain organization. So the summary for “how to get a job in web3” is this: Gain understanding, develop skills, create a portfolio, and then apply for the jobs.

You should understand that learning never ceases. On your job and off your job, you should strive to keep yourself open to learning new things. My real learning was on the job. From understanding how a smart contract works and how decentralized identities are created to the implementation of an EVM, I learned everything in my job. You too can do it with the right mindset and a never-ending enthusiasm towards blockchain.

What if You are Not Able to Land a Job?

Landing a web3 job is no different from getting any other role; it requires sheer dedication, patience, and hard work. If you have taken a few interviews but have not been able to crack it, do not lose hope. Try to understand what went wrong.

Were you able to answer all the questions perfectly? Did you fumble here and there, scratched your head a bit, and then answered whatever came to your mind instead of politely saying that you do not know the answer? Do you think you could have delved deeper into the subject before that interview? Or did you know all the answers but just panicked at the moment? Post a failure, judge yourself honestly: what went well and what did not and why. Then start from the beginning. Brush up your knowledge. Gather courage after every rejection and tell yourself that you can do it.

What are Web3 Developer Jobs?

A web3 developer is one who has skills and expertise in creating software applications based on blockchain. He knows various programming languages and knows how to deploy smart contracts. He is well-versed in creating technologies based on existing protocols or creating new protocols altogether. Read a typical web3 developer job description below.

Roles and Responsibilities Assigned to a Web3 Developer

Designing, developing, and implementing decentralized applications using blockchain technologies is the most important role of a web3 developer.
Writing smart contracts and deploying them on blockchain platforms like Ethereum, Polkadot, or others.
Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, and back-end developers, to define project requirements and specifications.
Integrating dApps with wallets, blockchain APIs, and other external systems.
Implementing secure coding practices and conducting code reviews to ensure high-quality and reliable software.
Optimizing dApp performance, scalability, and user experience.
Participating in the testing, debugging, and troubleshooting of blockchain applications.
Staying up to date with the latest advancements in crypto technologies and contributing to knowledge sharing within the team.
Documenting technical specifications, architectural designs, and development processes.

Skills and Qualifications Required for Blockchain Developer

Proficiency in programming languages such as Solidity, Rust, or other blockchain development languages.
A strong foundation of blockchain technology and other related concepts including but not limited to decentralized networks and other concepts.
A prior experience in developing, compiling, and deploying smart contract codes on different blockchain networks.
Be familiar with complex concepts of cryptography and should have proven caliber to employ this knowledge towards product development.
Knowledge of creating dApps using application development frameworks like Truffle, Hardhat, and Remix.
A thorough understanding of the libraries such as Web3.js, ethers.js, or Web3.py.
Knowledge of the development frameworks like Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and Substrate would be an added advantage.
Proficiency in version control systems such as Git and employ the skills to develop and maintain code repositories.
Familiarity with front-end web development technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Some employers also seek candidates with a background or experience in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), or other specialized areas within the ecosystem.

What are Web3 VC Jobs?

A VC job description involves identifying promising startups and investing in them after proper evaluation. To be very precise, the role of a VC is to provide capital to these startups and in addition to that, provide strategic guidance to the early-stage or growth-stage companies working in the blockchain niche.

Roles and Responsibilities Assigned to a VC

Identify opportunities: Making detailed research within the industry and identifying investment opportunities. This may include attending seminars, doing online research, and attending meetups. It also involves leveraging your professional network to find ideal investment targets.
Perform due diligence: Another major role of a VC is to perform due diligence on potential investments; this may include analyzing the business models of the companies, identifying their competitive landscape, and understanding their technical viability. A VC needs to assess the team’s expertise, its track record, and its alignment with web principles.
Evaluate investment: A VC needs to evaluate investment opportunities and segregate them based on parameters like growth, market impact, and alignment with its own investment fundamentals. It needs to perform financial analysis and risk assessment to make the right decisions.
Manage Portfolio: One of the other major roles of a VC is to manage and monitor the Venture Capital’s investment portfolio and provide timely guidance to the portfolio companies. This may include providing strategic advice, network connections, and assistance with fundraising.
Build network and relationships: Building relationships with entrepreneurs, industry experts, and other stakeholders in the ecosystem is a crucial responsibility of a Venture Capital firm. It involves creating partnerships and collaborations that aid in the growth of portfolio companies. Active participation in industry events and engagement with the community is absolutely necessary.
Knowledge of latest trends: Keeping itself abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and emerging developments is very crucial for a VC job. A VC should develop expertise in different domains like Defi, NFTs, dApps, and other related concepts.
Develop Investment thesis: Yet another important role that is expected from a VC is to contribute to the development and refinement of the VC firm’s investment thesis. This involves identifying market opportunities and investment themes.
Report and analyze portfolio: Last but not the least is to provide regular updates on the portfolio company’s performance and investment insights to the stakeholders and other relevant parties.

Skills and Qualifications Required for Blockchain VC

Strong understanding of blockchain technology, decentralized networks.
Knowledge of venture capital investment principles and practices, including deal sourcing, due diligence, and valuation analysis.
Experience in evaluating early-stage or growth-stage technology startups.
Familiarity with the investment landscape, trends, and competitive dynamics in the industry.
Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to assess market opportunities and financial performance.
Solid business acumen, with the ability to evaluate business models, market strategies, and competitive advantages.
Strong network and relationship-building skills to connect with founders, industry experts, and other stakeholders.
Effective communication and presentation skills to articulate investment theses and insights to internal and external audiences.

The above list of skills included in the web3 VC job description is not exhaustive. The skills required may vary depending on the exact role expected from a candidate.

Different Roles That You Can Apply For

Smart Contract Developer: Develops and deploys smart contracts on blockchain platforms like Ethereum or other networks. Writes code to implement decentralized financial protocols, such as lending, borrowing, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), or yield farming.
DeFi Protocol Engineer: Builds and maintains decentralized finance protocols, including designing and implementing the underlying smart contract logic, integrating with external systems and oracles, and ensuring the security and efficiency of the protocol.
Blockchain Engineer: Develops blockchain infrastructure and tools to support finance applications. Work on blockchain scalability, interoperability, and security solutions to enhance the performance and usability of DeFi platforms.
Solidity Developer: Specializes in writing smart contracts using Solidity, the programming language for Ethereum. Create and audit smart contracts to ensure their reliability, security, and compliance with industry standards.
Blockchain Analyst: Conducts research and analysis of blockchain projects and protocols to evaluate their technical, economic, and market viability is another important point that you will find in several finance jobs. Analyze token economics, whitepapers, and project documentation to assess risks and opportunities.
DeFi Product Manager: Defines and manages the development of DeFi products and platforms. Identifies market opportunities, gathers user feedback, and works with cross-functional teams to plan and execute the product roadmap.
DeFi Risk Analyst: It is one of the finance jobs that require a person to assess and manage risks associated with decentralized finance platforms and protocols. S/he evaluates smart contract security, conducts vulnerability assessments, and develops risk management strategies to protect user funds and mitigate potential threats.
DeFi UX/UI Designer: Designs user-friendly interfaces and experiences for decentralized finance applications. Focuses on creating intuitive user flows, visually appealing designs, and seamless interactions that enhance the usability and adoption of platforms.
DeFi Marketing Manager: Develops and executes marketing strategies for DeFi projects and platforms. Creates awareness, drives user acquisition, and engages with the community through content creation, social media campaigns, and partnership initiatives.
Blockchain Compliance Specialist: Ensures compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines within the finance space. Collaborates with legal teams to navigate regulatory challenges and implements necessary compliance measures for projects.
Blockchain Writer: Creates technical documentation related to the blockchain technology adopted by the company. Creates quality content, takes interviews with Subject Matter Experts, and performs peer-to-peer reviews of the documentation.

Ethereum Foundation Careers

A non-profit organization that works towards the development of the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem. Ethereum Foundation offers career opportunities to people who strive to work towards blockchain development and want to build their careers around it. While you apply for a job there, keep in mind to highlight your knowledge of the domain, especially Ethereum. Showcase your work in your portfolio and provide it as a link in your resume.

Visit the Ethereum Foundation’s website: On the Ethereum Foundation’s website, you will find the Jobs section by scrolling down the home page. This takes you to their Open Jobs page. Here, you can see different opportunities.
Keep an Eye on Job Boards: Apply to the Ethereum Foundation jobs on various job boards. These vacancies can also be found on social media and other web companies’ websites. By subscribing to the Foundation’s newsletters also, you will be able to get regular updates about the vacancies posted.
Remain connected: Participate in the Ethereum-based events and regularly post on its community forums. This will let you stay connected with other people. This will help you increase your online visibility and increase your chances of landing a job.

What is the Approximate Range for Web3 Job Salaries?

Now that you are clear on how to get a job in web3, you might be pondering on the salary for such a job. The web3 job salaries depend upon the designation, location, experience, and industry demand. While the salaries are quite competitive, a few startups may not be able to offer that much. The salaries are also affected by the ongoing market conditions and the adoption level.

Developer/Engineer: While beginners can expect a salary ranging from $60,000 to $90,000 per year, developers with experience and a solid background can get anywhere between $90,000 to $150,000.
Smart Contract Developer: Salaries falling between $50,000 and $150,000 are generally offered to the new Smart Contract developers. The experienced developers, however, can earn salaries exceeding $150,000.
Blockchain Engineer: The salaries for Blockchain Engineers can start from about $90,000 and go up to $ 140,000. But senior ones can expect salaries upwards of $150,000.
Blockchain Analyst or Researcher: As newbies, Blockchain Analysts can earn between $50,000 to $70,000. But for the experienced ones, salaries can go up to $120,000.
Product Manager: For product managers, salaries can start from $90,000 but for those with prior experience in the industry, it can beyond $150,000.
Blockchain Writers: Content creators for blockchain generally earn between $40,000 to $120,000.

A List of Job Portals That You May Find Useful

Here are a few online sources where you can find jobs for different positions:

There are a number of traditional job aggregators like Dice and Indeed too that advertise web3 jobs these days.

FAQs

What do I need to learn to work in Web3?

Gain an understanding of Ethereum, EVM, DeFi, decentralized wallets, dapps, smart contracts, and programming languages like solidity and rust. Knowledge of JavaScript and HTML is required for front-end development.

Does Web3 require coding?

Yes and No. If you are searching for a developer job, you need to know programming languages like Solidity and Rust. For other roles, a basic understanding of the concepts behind blockchain is sufficient.

Where can I learn Web3 for free?

Yes, there are a few online courses that are completely free. LearnWeb3, Web3 University and FreeCodeCamp provide free courses in development.

How to Get a Web3 Job without experience?

Gain knowledge on how blockchain works. Learn to write smart contracts using Solidity. Learn front-end development languages. Be part of the web3 communities. Participate in hackathons. Create a portfolio showcasing your work. Be a contributor to open-source development projects.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. We do not promote, in any form, any companies or blockchain technology firms or web3 job portals mentioned herein. The content of this article is based on the information available up to the knowledge. You should be aware that before applying to a firm, you must do your own due diligence (DYOR).