Getting a blockchain tech job — for non-coders
By: Josh Cottrell-Schloemer
Tags: Freelancing, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Jobs, Bitcoin

In summary, the steps are simple. It’s just a matter of sticking to it.

Be realistic about how much you actually know about blockchain technology —most people drastically overestimate their knowledge Get focused. Pick a specific technology or project and learn the ins & outs. Get involved in the community. Talk to people that work on the project. Put the right skills on your LinkedIn. Make sure recruiters can find you Get yourself on BNTY & Upwork. Do freelance work. Build a portfolio. Volunteer. Work for free if you have to. Demonstrate your value. GET HIRED!

So, let’s get started.

There’s some prep work to do before you start applying for jobs.

First, you need to get realistic about how much you actually know about blockchain technology. Employers are getting flooded with resumés from unqualified candidates.

What does that tell you? It tells you there are a lot of people out there that drastically overestimate their skills.

First, take a look at some of the free bitcoin/blockchain introduction courses. I prefer Berkeley’s (all their coursework is available on their website and Youtube). Watch a few of the lectures and make sure you can follow along. If you’re struggling, than you may need to learn a bit more. Start with: Free resources for non-coders to learn blockchain.

Completing this step puts you ahead of 50% of blockchain job applicants. Almost half of applicants can’t make it past a basic intro course about blockchain technologies.

Choose a project and do your due diligence

If you’re interested in a specific project or cryptocurrency you need to do your crypto-due-diligence™:

read the whitepaper

join the Telegram

join the subreddit

join the email list

read any major news articles.

If there’s a spec page or wiki available, read it, even if you don’t understand everything you read.

Make sure you understand the topics people are discussing in the community. You DON’T need to know how to code your own blockchain, but you DO need to understand how the core technology works and the value it brings to customers/users.

This understanding of the core technology gives you a leg up for any type of job. Even an accountant or graphic designer needs to understand the core technology they are working with.

This puts you ahead of 75% of applicants. Many applicants have little to no knowledge of the underlying technology and aren’t active in a project’s community .

Get yourself out there — build a profile

You’ve got to get out there. Hit the dance floor and show them your moves.

Start on Upwork. It has the most blockchain freelancing jobs for you to choose from. You need to build your portfolio and get some experience before applying to a full-time position.

Learn how to write a strong profile . I suggest this site for guidance, the free articles cover everything you need to know.

. I suggest this site for guidance, the free articles cover everything you need to know. Learn how to send strong proposals . Here is some basic guidance.

. Here is some basic guidance. Start broad . You’re looking for any blockchain related jobs that match your skill-set. Don’t worry about focusing on one technology yet. You’re just looking to start a portfolio with anything you can get.

. You’re looking for any blockchain related jobs that match your skill-set. Don’t worry about focusing on one technology yet. You’re just looking to start a portfolio with anything you can get. Stay entirely focused on keeping your clients happy . You’re looking to get a few positive reviews. This will give you the credibility you need later on.

. You’re looking to get a few positive reviews. This will give you the credibility you need later on. Always tell clients you’d like to work with them again and would appreciate any referrals. This could pay off later.

This is all easier said than done. Don’t get disheartened if it takes time. If you send out 20 proposals and can’t get a job then 1) seriously review your profile and proposals and get a second opinion to make sure you’re not making obvious mistakes and 2) move over to alpha.bounty0x.io and start completing jobs there. Keep track of your experience. Use them for your portfolio

When all else fails write some articles.

Struggling to build your portfolio? Can’t get any freelance gigs? Can’t find decent bounties?

Then it’s time to start writing. If you already have a blog, great. If not, start writing here on medium. It’s easy to get started.

Choose a blockchain topic you actually find interesting (this is important!). Readers can tell when you’re excited about a topic.

Write an informative piece on the topic you’ve chosen. You’re going for three things: be thorough, show your personality, and show off your talents.

Use formatting, add images, and if you go deep on a subject make sure to keep it entertaining. You’re goal is to keep the readers attention.

This is now a piece you can use as an example of your work. It’s an opportunity for you to tell a story about who you are and what you want to do.

Building a portfolio puts you ahead of 85% of applicants. Many applicants have little to no portfolio work that’s actually applicable to the job they apply to.

Start volunteering.

As soon as you have some work in your portfolio it’s time to get involved with your favorite project.

Communicate with folks that are involved in the project. Figure out where people working on the project are congregating. Sometimes they are on telegram, sometimes on reddit, sometimes on forums. Do your research and figure out where the most people hang out.

Let them know you’re interested in the project and would like to help. Show them you have experience. Offer to do some work for free. Ask for the best place to get involved.

If you can’t get anyone’s attention than try doing some work on your own and post it publicly — if you’re a writer then write an article, if you do social media then start up a social account, if you do marketing make some examples of marketing collateral. Show your value. Be so good they can’t ignore you.

This puts you ahead of 95% of applicants. Having actual volunteer work on a project shows real value and lets those hiring know that you’re someone they can work with.

Begin the job hunt

Get your LinkedIn up to date. This lets people know your available, and gives you a professional profile recruiters can find. Make sure to include all applicable blockchain skills. Mention blockchain in your profile and include a sample project with your work.

Now you’re ready. First things first, try asking for a job.

Reach out to a specific person in the department you want to work in. Don’t email a generic jobs@____.com address.

Tell them your interested, explain how you could add value, and ask them to keep you in mind if work becomes available.

Keep it moderately casual.

This works more often than you’d expect. My experience is that you are more likely to get a job this way than by sending in a standard resume to an HR department.