How to Build a Web3 Portfolio: Insights from Uniblock and Outdefine Experts
Authored by Rodolfo Damken on 3/3/2023
Uniblock and Outdefine co-hosted a Twitter Space, last month, about how to build a Web 3 Portfolio. During the event, we talked with Romil Verma and Sanjay Verma, both founders of Outdefine. We also talked with James Liu, Product Lead, and **Jason Li,** VP of Engineering, both from Uniblock.
Uniblock is a platform that helps developers create innovative web3 projects. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, Uniblock provides a wide range of tools, including APIs, SDKs, Contracts, and other helpful resources. With Uniblock, you can bring your blockchain ideas to life without extensive technical expertise.
In the words of Outdefine´s CEO, Romil Verma, Outdefine is a decentralized talent community that connects talent from around the world with opportunities in the Web 3 industry. As a community-run platform, Outdefine offers a place where talent can learn more about participating in Web 3, ask questions, help each other out, earn tokens, and even become governors of the project.
During the Twitter Space, which you can find here, the conversation centered around how to showcase Web 3 skills and experience on a resume. Both businesses shared their insight into this as well as some tips for professionals trying to enter the Web3 space.
What are the most significant skills and qualifications web3 businesses look for when recruiting talent?
Jason began by stating that Web3 talent's most important skill is their ability to grow. Due to the constant development of cutting-edge technologies, there are various areas of focus in the Web3 space, such as NFTs, DeFi, and gaming. Therefore, the ability to learn new skills quickly and independently is valuable for a potential employee.
This also resonated with Romil, as he highlighted that companies must consider the kind of organization developers are moving towards and their previous experience. Passion for the industry and a specific area of focus, such as application development, smart contract development, or building an entire protocol, is crucial. Moreover, developers who can demonstrate the ability to learn new skills quickly through projects, boot camps, or contract jobs are highly desirable.
James added that problem-solving skills, creativity, and adaptability are also crucial for Web3 professionals.
How do businesses assess individuals' skills in the areas of Web3 and AI?
Regarding the method web3 business follows to evaluate professionals' skills, they agreed that it's critical to look at the candidate's portfolio and past projects. This is to understand their expertise in the field.
Since web3 is a relatively new space, they don't expect candidates to have decades of blockchain development experience. Instead, they focus on how the candidate contributed to a project and their ability to work well with others.
To evaluate problem-solving skills, James likes to present an open-ended problem and see how the candidate thinks through it. He's not looking for an ideal solution but rather wants to see the candidate's thought process and how they communicate their ideas. Romil emphasizes the importance of understanding the "what," "how," and "when" of building a product, and he looks for candidates who can figure out the "how" of building a solution based on the "what" presented to them.
Overall, the panelists emphasized the importance of looking at a candidate's past work and problem-solving skills to evaluate their abilities in the web3 space. They also highlighted the need for candidates to be willing to learn and adapt since the field is constantly evolving.
The ideal portfolio for a Web3 Developer
An ideal portfolio for a Web3 candidate would vary based on their level of experience and the role they are filling.
For a junior developer, it's helpful to see examples of the web projects they are interested in and have worked on. This could include deploying contracts or writing their own contracts, as well as building NFT marketplaces or wallets. The wider range of projects they have worked on, the better, as it showcases their understanding of the space and the tools used in it. It also shows initiative and passion for the industry.
For a senior developer, their portfolio is equally as valuable as their past experience. It's important to see the successful public projects they have launched and the skills they have demonstrated in developing high-quality and efficient Web3 projects. Additionally, senior developers should be able to manage and support junior developers, which is a crucial aspect of leadership roles in the industry.
From Traditional Hiring to Web3 Revolution: A Thrilling Hiring Success Story!
The conversation begins with the discussion of the importance of hiring the right web3 professional for businesses. The speakers emphasize that web3 professionals should have a strong technical background in blockchain and other related technologies. In addition, they should have the ability to learn and adapt quickly.
The first example of a successful hire is given by Jason. He talks about how they needed to hire someone to build a gasless marketplace when NFTs became popular. Jason explains that they looked for someone familiar with EIP-712 signatures, which was crucial for developing the protocol. This helped them build the entire protocol more efficiently and effectively.
Romil then shared another example of hiring a smart contract developer for a client team. They looked at different candidates and evaluated their portfolios. They looked for candidates who had hands-on experience and had deployed their projects to testnets such as Polygon or Ethereum. Romil emphasizes that people who demonstrate a bias towards action and brought their projects to fruition are more likely to be hired.
The speakers then discuss the importance of attitude and eagerness to learn in the hiring process. Sanjay explains that in addition to technical skills, they also look for people who are eager to learn and grow with the team. This is especially relevant for startups and growing tech companies.
Exploring the Impact of Web3 Communities on Career Development
During this question, the experts discussed the benefits of web3 communities, specifically Outdefine, in helping web3 experts get better job opportunities.
Romil notes that while there are about 50,000 people who have contributed to the web3 ecosystem from a developer point of view, compared to the 13 million software engineers working on Web 2.0 technologies, the industry is growing rapidly, and more people are starting to ask the same questions about how to get started with web3 and find jobs in the field.
Outdefine is a decentralized talent community that helps people find opportunities in the web3 industry, with over 120 active job listings that refresh daily. The platform also helps build a community where people can ask technical or career-related questions, create threads and topics around different points of interest, and have discussions with others.
Jason adds that traditional talent sites often take a percentage of the developer's earnings. However, Outdefine provides this service for free, which helps grow the space and connect developers to various projects. This also allows developers to start building their portfolio even before applying to any of these positions. This is done by looking at what people are hiring and the assets they require.
James notes that Outdefine's community and platform are tailored towards web3, providing a filtered experience that allows for higher quality applicants and employers. This is beneficial compared to posting on platforms such as LinkedIn, where there is a higher volume of applicants, but not always the highest quality.
The Significance of Investing in Resources, Support, and Incentives for Career Development
Sanjay starts off by emphasizing the importance of talent and peer group learning. He highlights the fact that talent in Web3 is interacting with trusted peers who have similar knowledge. This makes it easier for them to learn from each other and grow together. He believes that peer group learning and validation are the breakthroughs that will help Web3 talent to advance their careers.
James agrees with Sanjay and adds that communities, resources, and support are crucial for new developers looking to break into the Web3 space. He notes that communities and tools like Uniblock can help developers stand out among the competition. This will enable them to demonstrate their skills and capabilities to potential employers.
Jason discusses the challenges faced by Web2 developers in transitioning to Web3. He explains that there are not many blockchain courses offered at universities, and most online courses and boot camps are outdated. The frequent changes and additions to the Web3 ecosystem make it difficult for developers to keep up with the latest developments.
Jason believes that platforms like Outdefine and Uniblock provide much-needed support and resources to new developers, helping them gain experience and connect with potential employers.
Romil adds to the conversation by pointing out that the current Web3 industry contributors are the ones who have taken risks and made mistakes. However, they have also gained valuable experience in the process. As the industry grows and becomes more mainstream, there will be a need for more abstractions and simplified tools. This will make it more accessible to a wider range of talent.
Tips for Professionals seeking employment in the Web3 Space.
As a final point, we asked our team of experts to share their knowledge of how to get a job opportunity in the web3 industry, and here are the key tips from top experts in the industry.
- Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and try different projects to grow your portfolio.
- Keep learning and sharing your knowledge with the community.
- Don't be shy to reach out and ask for help if needed.
- Connect with the right people who can help you find the right opportunities.
- Personal projects can help you showcase your skills and grow your portfolio.
- Sharing your knowledge with the community can help you gain visibility and credibility.
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.
- Joining online communities and attending Web3 events can help you network and learn from others in the industry.
- Embrace cutting-edge technologies and be open to learning new things.
- Keep up with the latest trends and developments in the industry.
In conclusion, building a Web3 resume can be an exciting and rewarding experience that sets you apart from other job seekers. By utilizing decentralized technologies, such as Outdefine and Uniblock, and incorporating your skills and experiences into a web3 format, you can create an authentic and personalized representation of yourself that showcases your abilities and potential. With the growing interest in blockchain and decentralized technologies, having a web3 resume can be a valuable asset in today's job market.
So don't hesitate to explore this new and innovative way of presenting yourself to potential employers. Take advantage of the opportunities that web3 has to offer.