The rise of blockchain technology has created an entirely new sector of the technology industry. As new companies are founded and new platforms are launched, there is a vibrant demand for qualified professionals to create and maintain these dApps and services, and manage the communities that grow up around them.

Some of these roles are highly specialist, requiring in-depth understanding of the tech and ideally years of experience working with it. Such jobs can easily come with a six-figure salary, and will sometimes pay hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. The sector is still new, and when there are so few people who really understand blockchain, the ones at the top can command almost any compensation.

However, every seasoned professional has to start somewhere, and there are plenty of roles that do not have the same level of responsibility or require the same advanced skills. If you’re looking to break into the crypto industry, it’s likely you’ll be hunting for an entry-level job that does not require previous experience. The good news is that not only are there lots of options, but that in Web3, rapid promotion is entirely possible – so you will likely not remain in an entry-level position for long.

Why Get A Job In Crypto?

There are lots of reasons why you might want to get a job in the Web3 sector, including:

• The opportunity to join a fast-growing industry in which the number of opportunities is increasing, at a time when other sectors are contracting or facing pressures of one kind or another.
• The rapid rate of innovation, giving you the chance to learn about and become involved with exciting new technologies, and access jobs that didn’t even exist as little as five years ago.
• The shortage of qualified talent, which means there is a strong demand for people who understand blockchain, crypto and Web3.
• The breadth of different job opportunities, including all kinds of software development, marketing and communications, community management, legal and compliance roles, administration, and more.
• The opportunity to do something impactful, improving financial inclusion, transparency, and fairness.
• The high rates of pay compared to similar jobs in other sectors.
• Many Web3 companies offer flexible working arrangements, since they operate with dispersed teams rather than out of fixed offices.
• The global nature of the industry, which means it is independent of any given country, area or economy.

The problem is, blockchain technology is complicated and it can take years to gain the understanding and proficiency you’ll need to access some of the best jobs. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to deter you when you’re looking to get a foot in the door and begin your new career.

What Are ‘Entry-Level’ Jobs?

Entry-level roles are widely advertised in both the crypto world and broader jobs market. The term refers to opportunities for people who have little to no specific training or expertise, though these jobs may still come with certain requirements – especially in the blockchain space.

While these roles are typically designed to appeal to recent graduates or those looking for their first jobs, in Web3 they’re more likely to be ‘entry-level’ in the sense that they’re designed for applicants with no previous experience in the crypto industry (although there may also be jobs for school leavers and grads).

The idea of these jobs is that you’ll gain a foothold in the crypto industry, find out whether it’s something you want to pursue, and if so, learn what you need to know to access better jobs – whether with the same employer or somewhere else.

As an aside, it’s worth making sure you don’t undersell yourself. You may not have a great deal of experience with crypto, but if you have transferable skills and have worked at a high level in a similar role in another sector, then you might well be successful in applying for something more than an entry-level position.

Benefits Of Entry-Level Positions

You might be put off by the thought that entry-level jobs typically pay relatively poorly (after all, they’re designed for people with minimal experience). While that’s generally true, there are some upsides – especially in Web3. For starters, because rates of pay are higher than average in the crypto sector, you’re more likely to be offered a relatively decent salary. Moreover, the idea is that you don’t stay in an entry-level position for long: you use the opportunity to move up in the industry – which in the blockchain world means accessing some very attractive opportunities.

Some of the benefits of entry-level roles in the Web3 sector include:

• Easy (or easier) access to a new career. Because entry-level roles generally don’t require a high level of experience, they’re a good way to get a job in your chosen field – in this case, crypto. Once you’ve got your first job, your second should be that much more straightforward. It might be in the same company, or with a different one, even a competitor.
• Gaining experience. Many jobs, whether in the Web3 sector or other industries, require applicants to have a certain level of experience. Without that, you’ll be passed over for other candidates who have spent time in other relevant roles. For this reason, ‘paying your dues’ in a more junior role can be incredibly useful: it’s hard to place a value on the doors that can open in terms of being considered for better jobs.
• Training and experience. Entry-level roles are generally structured to provide opportunities to gain the skills you need to progress in the industry. You can think of these courses or on-the-job experience as part of your pay: you’re getting something that will directly benefit you financially in the future. And, while a CV is only a piece of paper (or electronic file), it’s critical that you can prove to other employers that you’ve got the experience and skills they need to hire you.
• A lower level of responsibility. Web3 can be an exacting career choice. At the higher levels, you will have a significant degree of responsibility. There are many constraints and demands – including from legal and compliance departments and regulators, from the community, and internally from your colleagues. A mistake can be costly for the company, and potentially serious for you personally. As an entry-level employee, you won’t have those responsibilities. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the ropes and find out what matters before you’re placed in a position where you have to make critical decisions. Enjoy it while it lasts!
• As an entry-level employee, your company will be spending significant time and effort to train you up and give you the skills you need to access better jobs in the industry. Given the shortage of qualified applicants, Web3 organisations are often understandably reluctant to let employees go if they can avoid it. If you work hard and show aptitude, there’s a good chance that you’ll be promoted to a higher role within the same company.

In short, entry-level jobs may not pay the most, but they still offer motivated applicants a huge amount in return. Make the most of the opportunities in front of you. Once you get your foot in the door, work hard, learn as much as you can, network with everyone you meet, and be ready to take advantage of new offers that come your way.

What Kinds Of Jobs Are There In Crypto?

When you’re looking for your first job in the Web3 sector, there are two broad approaches you can take.

The first is to look for a crypto-specific job, whether that’s smart contract programming, building apps that connect to the blockchain, or a non-engineering role like marketing.

The second is to apply for jobs that are found in other industries but in this case, just happen to be in the crypto world.

Trawling popular crypto jobs sites will turn up dozens of entry-level opportunities, which are often internships. They may be technical or non-technical roles, and some will be designed to lead directly to a full-time paid job with the same organisation. Just some of the roles you may see advertised include:

• Software engineering
• Marketing positions
• Social media managers
• Business analyst roles
• Content creators
• Editors
• Community managers
• Customer service
• HR and administration

How Can You Get Started?

Entry-level jobs by definition won’t require in-depth knowledge of blockchain, but at the very least you should understand the basics of crypto and Web3. Even entry-level roles can be quite competitive, so the more you can stand out from other applicants, the better. You’ll find plenty of material online, and some of the larger organisations like Coinbase and Binance have great primers on the major coins, technologies and concepts in the space. You can also gain some practical experience by downloading wallets or other software, making transactions and engaging with dApps. If the company you plan to apply to has an app, that’s a good place to start!

You should also find out as much as you can about the organisation you’re applying to: what it is they do, who their main competition is, the particular approach they take to solving problems, and why. For example, if they provide a wallet, is it a hosted wallet, or one that gives the user full control over their crypto? What features do they offer and why?

You’ll probably have lots of questions, especially in the early days when you’re just getting to grips with the concept of Web3. Most projects have communities of people who not only use the product, but who may also provide feedback, hold tokens, participate in governance votes, and act as informal or official community advocates and advisors. Join the community on Discord, Telegram, or whichever platform they use, and get to know people. Ask questions – someone should help you out, either from the organisation itself, or another community member.

Joining a community like this is also a good way to get to know a project from the grassroots upwards. These groups will usually be the first to know of any new developments, features, and job vacancies. If you’re someone who has gained a reputation for being an active community member who has taken the time to find out about the organisation and their service, and to help out other community members and spread the word, then you’re far more likely to be considered for a position than a stranger – they’ll already know you’re friendly, motivated and reliable.

Finding And Approaching Web3 Organisations

When it comes to applying for crypto jobs, there are several options.

• Treat it like any other job and go via the major recruitment sites like Indeed and LinkedIn – you’ll find lots of opportunities there. This is a good way to start if you’re unsure where to look and want to find work with one of the big companies in the space.
• Go for crypto-specific jobs sites, or individual company sites, and search for entry-level vacancies. This is more suitable for those with a little knowledge of the sector, and for those looking to cast the net wider. If you’re after a part-time or freelance role, websites like LaborX list many opportunities.
• Figure out which aspects of the space and which projects interest you the most, get stuck into a few Discord communities, get to know people, and make yourself useful – there are always things to do and ways to help out. This is probably best for those who have a little more free time to spend online, and who are willing to take more of a chance. It’s also the best way to get involved in some of the coolest little indie projects in the Web3 space, though you never know what’s going to explode into the next unicorn.

The Web3 world tends to reward self-starters. Whichever route you choose, be open-minded, willing to work hard and learn new ideas, and take the initiative wherever possible. Good luck!