When fishing for a blockchain job, even veteran IT professionals will come across a classic enigma: it is difficult to get experience without a job and it is difficult to get a job without experience.
What people commonly refer to today as blockchain could be ten years old, but its larger use cases – that is, beyond cryptocurrencies – are part of a more recent phenomenon, given that various sectors and companies start to explore its potential more seriously.
to take on the talent of blockchain, there is a natural shortage.
On the other hand, an expert technologist may wish to enter the field, but feeling lack of the good faith experience needed to do so. How do you give the maximum
[ Read our related story, How to explain blockchain in plain English. ]
There are certainly ways to get into what remains a nascent field in the larger IT universe.
"Now is a great time for experienced developers, in particular, to take advantage of opportunities."
"Demand for professionals with blockchain skills will grow and exceed the number of professionally trained professionals, so now it's a great time. for experienced developers, in particular, to capitalize on opportunities, "says Jim Johnson, senior vice president for technology division at the recruitment firm Robert Half.
Here's what Johnson and other experts recommend if you want to stand out from the group when trying to land a blockchain job. [19659010] 1. Spotlight competencies that translate well into blockchain roles
Technologists looking to move to a blockchain position will have to start somewhere. Fortunately, there are many raids.
"There are many skis It's applicable to work in a job role focused on blockchain," says Marta Piekarska, director of the ecosystem at the open source blockchain platform Hyperledger.
Traits commonly grouped as "soft skills" matter a lot here.
"At a high level, as in any job, you should be open-minded and flexible, and eager to learn and solve problems," says Piekarska. "It's also important to be able to work with both technical and non-technical teams, as many organizations that implement blockchain are not technology companies."
[ Read our related article, Top soft skills for IT leaders and how to master them. ]
From the technical point of view, there are many translatable skills. As Johnson notes above, blockchain roles are particularly ripe for people with software development backgrounds. Database, Linux and open source and security experience are also a good idea.
"Knowledge of programming languages such as JavaScript, familiarity with the Linux command line, system and database administration and of course knowledge of cryptography and other security practices are important," says Piekarska.
Consider this listing on the Glassdoor job site for a "Senior Software Engineer – Blockchain" in Akamai as an example. Among the required skills:
- 3 years experience with 1 or more of the following languages: C / C ++, Java, Python.
- Over 3 years experience with relational and / or NoSQL databases.
- 3+ years experience working on Linux / Unix platforms.
2. Follow self-directed paths for blockchain experience
The same list of works also mentions "1+ years of experience in the design, implementation and distribution of a blockchain, cryptocurrency or something similar."
How can you get it if you do not?
Yael Tamar, founder of Top of Blockchain, indicates a couple of possibilities here.
"Quite a few professionals work for ICO in exchange for tokens to gain a blockchain experience," he says. Tamar adds that there are various groups on sites like Telegram, Whatsapp and Facebook that list these opportunities, some of which also offer cash compensation in addition to tokens.
"Many of these locations are remote, so they are accessible to anyone around the world," says Tamar.
You can also follow a path that has been made public by so many developers and engineers working with other technologies in the past: create a pet project and put it online. In fact, this could be the best option between the two.
"To really stand out, I would advise you to publish a dApp, an intelligent contract or a plugin [a] [you] developed" for fun "or personal [use] on Github and linking it to the curriculum [your]" Tamar advises.
3. Certifications and Blockchain courses count
There is a debate about the value of some IT certifications, courses and the like, but blockchain is an area where these paths can help you stand out from hobbyists.
It is a verifiable effort in a space where, perhaps ironically, everyone's experience is not "credible".
"Opening online courses and certification programs is a great way to enter the industry and be marketable for companies as employees," says Johnson of Robert Half. "The most important consideration for employers is the passion for space and the desire to continue learning – this will be one of the key differentiating factors for those looking to be in blockchain."
Another value on this front: it is a verifiable effort in a space in which, perhaps ironically, everyone's experience is not "credible".
"Complete formal training courses, pass certification exams, and contribute to open source blockchain projects," says Piekarska. "Each of these activities has mechanisms in place for potential employers to verify that they have actually been completed."
