How To Secure Your First Blockchain Developer Job

If the blockchain field is your next step, here is how you can secure your first blockchain developer position:

Learn To Code In General

The obvious first step to securing a blockchain developer job is to be qualified and learn to code for the blockchain. However, this might not be the obvious first step for everyone.

To go from zero knowledge about coding to coding for the blockchain can be a little too drastic and work against you. To learn to code for the blockchain, you first need to learn to code in general.

Try to learn a programming language such as Python or JavaScript to first understand the basics of coding and how computer programs work in general. 

This will help you think about how computers digest information and how algorithms work. You need to have this basic knowledge to understand the foundations of computer science before you start trying to get a job in any of its branches.

Learning how to think through problems and debug solutions are necessary skills that cannot be developed by just learning a specific programming language that only teaches you about the blockchain.

Coding languages such as JavaScript and Python will set the foundation for your learning process and ensure that you are ready to learn a blockchain-specific language next.

This foundation will also help you when the time to solve a problem as a blockchain developer arises in your new job and you have to prove yourself at a new company as well as in front of a new team.

Learn To Code For The Blockchain

Learning to code for the blockchain can be easier once you know how to code in general as far as Web2 is concerned. The transition into Web3 infrastructure won’t be as hard since you know how coding works in general now.

Not only does coding for the blockchain mean that you have to learn a new language or two but also that you need to understand the risks and vulnerabilities in this industry.

While hacking and security concerns are present in every type of coding, the blockchain is newer and more vulnerable to this as it mostly deals with cryptocurrencies and transactions.

With hardly any legislature or laws around the same, it can get hard to recover any money back if something does go wrong. This is why you need to practice heavily as well as do some in-depth research about the languages you learn to ensure keeping your job once you have it.

For such reasons, it is best to learn from certified programs and experts who know what they are doing instead of trying to teach yourself an entire language through YouTube tutorials.

Still, YouTube tutorials can be great for solving specific problems and doubts that you might have about a project you are working on or even your course homework. Using your resources wisely will help you learn to code for the blockchain easily and improve your understanding of it.

Build Your Project Portfolio

Nothing speaks “I can do this job” more than some direct results that show you can do the job. This is exactly where a project portfolio is needed when trying to secure your first job as a blockchain developer.

Since you are just starting in the industry, there are bound to be some concerns about your lack of experience which might even be used to offer you a lower salary. However, this can be combated by showing the hiring crowd why you deserve this position more than other candidates.

Besides many people complete the same courses, and you do not want to blend in with the other people applying for the job as many of these positions can get over 1000 applicants in less than a day.

A project portfolio essentially has information about some of the projects that you have worked on either by yourself or in courses that you have taken. For example, when you are trying to learn Solidity programming, you are bound to be completing projects that include topics such as making smart contracts. 

This is a valuable experience that hiring managers will be interested in. Try to include projects you are the proudest of but also those you think to make you unique.

Network And Build Connections

Gone are the days when meeting all requirements of a job and applying for it was enough to be considered for the job. The market has become so competitive that you now need insider connections to even get a chance to interview.

While this competition is relatively low for a newer industry such as the blockchain industry, it is present nonetheless. You need to start networking and making connections with people that have some influence in hiring decisions if you want to secure a good job.

Reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn and inquire about some positions that you see open. Discuss with them how you can be considered for the job and what specifically the company is looking for.

Remember that recruiters are also trying to fill positions so they are more likely to help you become the best candidate for the position. Furthermore, the hiring manager’s job title will also be listed in most company job descriptions.

You can use LinkedIn’s search filters to find out who holds that position and reach out to them to talk to them about the opportunity directly. This is a great way to get in front of the hiring manager early and start setting the stage for getting hired.

Your efforts to network and build connections with people will not always go unnoticed so do not worry if you get ghosted by some recruiters.

Participate In Hackathons And Competitions

Hackathons and coding competitions are quite famous for attracting the best of the best talents to solve some of the biggest problems that the tech world is facing. Not only do hackathons attract the best talent, but they also attract big companies.

Many tech companies even go as far as to sponsor the hackathon so they can find the best talent. This is the perfect opportunity to get in front of people at big tech companies and can help you make a way for yourself.

You should try your best to talk to the important people at the hackathon and even distribute your resume if possible.

Optimize Your Resume

If you are going to be distributing your resume or applying to jobs online, you need to make sure that your resume is optimized enough to make it through the initial recruitment scrutiny.

Companies, especially big corporations, use ATS systems for most of their hiring needs, which means that you will have to do more than just create a document with your previous experience.

Take your time and research what employers like to see on a resume. Follow the industry standard and fill your resume with the right keywords so your resume shows up first when recruiters search their ATS systems.

Prepare For Job Interviews

The absolute most important part of securing a job is nailing the interview. Tech interviews are a lot different from regular job interviews as they usually require skills assessments.

You will have to practice a lot if you want to do well at this stage of the job-securing process, which means you need to invest a lot of time in practising sample questions and solving common problems that interviewers ask about.

Beware as this is also the time when interviewers care the most about your foundational skills in computer science and programming. They are more likely to ask you the most basic of questions because they are as interested in your thought process as they are in the solution.

This is in addition to preparing for common interview questions that job interviewers ask for besides the technical skills interview. You should go in with a sample 5-year plan and talk about how the company will help you grow.

Practicing sample questions in mock interviews is the only way to excel at this stage. You should also try to leverage some of those connections you built before by asking them if they would be interested in doing a mock interview with you.

These mock interviews might be hard, but it is better to fail in front of a connection trying to help you through rather than failing in front of the hiring manager in charge of your dream job.

Conclusion 

All in all, there are many steps to securing your first blockchain developer job. However, many of these steps can be completed simultaneously, and you can probably even be ready to start interviewing in under six months.

As long as you spend some time on your application and your skills, you will be working in the blockchain industry in no time.