As someone who currently works for a top 20 cryptocurrency project (non-technical role), let me tell you—programmers are not the only people that projects need. They need marketers, operations, HR, developer relations, design, content, and so much more. You might think you have no chance without any technical knowledge, but let me tell you clearly: THAT IS NOT TRUE.
If you’re reading this post, you’re probably already 50% of the way there. You understand Bitcoin, Ethereum, PoW, and PoS. If you don’t, spend a few hours to really understand these concepts. They’re not too hard to understand, and there are a wealth of resources on this subreddit that’ll help you understand. Hell, go on youtube, google, whatever. If there’s a will to understand these things, there’s a way.
While these topics might seem like the bare minimum, the truth is that 99% of people don’t even know the first thing about Bitcoin. Those conversations you have where people don’t even know the word blockchain? That’s how early we still are. The truth of the matter is, crypto projects/companies look to hire people who are knowledgeable and passionate about blockchains, first and foremost. When I was interviewing, just the fact that I knew about yield farming and how it works gave me an obvious boost over most candidates. Wrapping your head around bitcoin is hard. People already in the know regarding blockchain technology and its potential are hard to find. And guess what? That’s you.
But How Do I Get My First Job in the Industry?
First of all, be hireable: nobody gives a shit about your trading expertise or your ability to HODL Ethereum, ALGO, SOL, or whatever. Like any other organization, cryptocurrency projects are looking for people with marketable skills, which I assume most of you that are past college have. Look for a job that fits your skillset and a project that you know and are passionate about.
Network: Again, this is just general hiring advice. It’s the same no matter where you go. Who you know determines the opportunities available to you. Sure, you can apply for a job through Indeed or through their website, but having a recommendation or a connection to the company is infinitely more valuable. But /u/japt2, I don’t know anybody in the industry! How do I find these people?
Events. Events, events, events. Though you apes might not know it, the real blockchain OGs are constantly moving from place to place and hosting global events. For example: ethCC, Messari Mainnet, Smart Contract Summit, and more. Most of these are free, and many of them are online.
Gain some knowledge, learn how people who actually work in the space talk to each other, and find opportunities to connect with others. Many of these events (virtual or in-person) will have specific programs that help you connect with other people as well as hiring booths with prominent projects looking to hire. The cryptocurrency industry is booming on the project side, even if the prices might not look so good. Most are hiring.
Align Goals: At the end of the day, the fact that you want to work in cryptocurrency doesn’t matter at all to the hiring manager or to the team. Look into their mission and read their blog posts. Look up some youtube videos that have executives speaking about their project.
Like any other professional role and especially for a startup (which pretty much every cryptocurrency project is, no matter how established they are in the space) they want people who believe in their mission. What is the end goal they’re trying to accomplish? How are they hoping to accomplish that? Hiring managers will understand that you’re passionate about the company/project if you can give specifics as to why working there is so attractive to you.
Join Hackathons
But /u/Japt2, I’m not a programmer! Doesn’t matter. People need ideas, they want designers, they want somebody to stick by them as they code through the night. Let me tell you the real truth about most hackathons: 99% of people come to learn and get some experience, 1% come to win. As a tech-oriented industry, there are so many fucking hackathons that it’s actually criminal that I never see them promoted on this subreddit. You lose literally nothing by putting your email on the list and signing up. More than that, they’re a great way to meet people who are similarly passionate about working in the space. If you’re looking to learn how to code in Solidity, even better!
For those of you looking for an opportunity right now, take one minute to sign up for the Chainlink Fall Hackathon.
From what I’ve gathered, there are ample networking opportunities and space for non-technical people to join teams. If you’re looking to get an intro in Solidity courses, they’re offering a Welcome Track that will pair you with mentors, give you free access to online courses, and run workshops from expert developers. They said all experience levels, and to me, that includes literally everyone. So why not? Sign up and meet people, learn the lingo, and drop out if you don’t like it. There’s literally nothing to lose.
What Are You Waiting For?
Stop looking at the charts and sign up for some events, apply for some jobs, or get your resume touched up. DM me directly if you want some more advice. Go out and try to make things happen. Regardless of the industry, startups always love to hire people who can make things happen on their own, independently. Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are not defined by their price, and the truth is the industry is absolutely booming. Don’t watch the revolution happen, be a part of shaping how it turns out.
Everybody here is so passionate, mainly about price, but also about the underlying technology. Take your skills to the market because they’re needed, and because you want to. There’s ample opportunity out there, and this post could be the first step you needed to try.
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