How to Get a Non-Technical Job in Web3
By Carly Long
Web3 is the next iteration of the Internet. The technology is nascent and there are various opportunities to get involved. The good news?
You don't need a technical background to dive in. Everyone from designers to marketers to operations have their place in Web3. More than that, teams, projects and companies in the Web3 space need professionals of all kinds to be successful.
In this article, we share tips on how to get started in Web3, figure out what kind of role you want, how to find a non-technical job in this exciting industry, and what skills to highlight so you can nail the interview and land your first Web3 job. Let's dive in!
First Thing’s First: Learn About Web3
This tip applies to any job you’re seeking, whether it’s in Web2 or Web3. You should have a basic understanding of the terminology, major players, opportunities, areas you can add value, and companies you might want to work at.
Getting familiar with the industry will also help you answer interview questions such as “Why do you want to work in Web3?” and put you ahead by showing your eagerness to learn.
Know the Web3 terms
Web3 might seem like another language. There are lots of acronyms, from NFTs to DAOs to ETH to BTC. There is slang like ‘Ape In’ or ‘FUD’ or ‘GM.’ To get an overview of the major Web3 terms and what they all mean, take a look at the Surge Crypto Dictionary.
Get familiar with the basics of Web3 technology
As a non-tech person, you can bring a lot of value to design, marketing, operations, sales, etc. And although you definitely don’t need to know the ins and outs of running an Ethereum node, a basic understanding of Web3 technology will give you an edge over other candidates.
Start by learning about blockchain, Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, and DAOs. For any questions, feel free to jump into the Surge Discord and ask away!
Learning about Web3 is fun but can be a bit daunting. Luckily, most companies will provide onboarding and give you time to learn and adjust to the new industry. What matters is to demonstrate enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Join Web3 social media groups
There are plenty of opportunities to learn about Web3 through social media. Get familiar with Discord - this is a platform many crypto companies, NFT projects, DAOs, and metaverse lands use to communicate with their communities. You can start by joining Surge’s Discord here!
Another place that Web3 professionals hang out is Twitter. ‘Crypto Twitter’ is now its own niche community of influencers, thought leaders, developers, companies, and projects that discuss all things Web3. One of the most useful ways to learn is to turn on notifications for women-led Web3 organizations like @Surge_Women and to listen in to Twitter Spaces (free audio events that discuss a myriad of Web3 topics).
Test Your Skills
Once you’ve learned about Web3, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Hiring managers will want to see that you have taken initiative to onboard yourself into the space by taking action.
Reading about something or listening to a Twitter Space on a topic is one way to acquire knowledge, but experiencing it for yourself will go a long way in helping you understand the mission and products of many Web3 companies.
To start, set up a cryptocurrency wallet with MetaMask and buy Ethereum to mint your first NFT or purchase an NFT off a secondary market like OpenSea. Check out the Surge Women Passport here for an affordable first NFT purchase with plenty of perks.
You can also volunteer with an NFT project or Web3 company by contributing articles, becoming a Discord or community moderator, hosting Twitter Spaces, or surprising them with your own ideas!
Network and Ask Questions
In Web3, community is everything. There are lots of friendly people who are willing to help. Do not hesitate to network and ask questions, no matter how big or small.
Questions you can use to start a networking conversation include:
How did you get into Web3?
How did you find your first job in Web3?
What skills did you highlight to make the transition into Web3?
What are your favorite resources to find a job in Web3?
What kind of opportunities do you see for non-technical people in Web3?
Do you have any volunteer opportunities at your company?
Learning about other people’s stories and how they entered Web3 will help you start dreaming up what exactly you want to do in this space or how you want to contribute.
Design Your New Role
Web3 is a leveler for those who are passionate, curious, and willing to put the time in for continuous learning. Degree programs for the metaverse, blockchain, and DeFi are starting to pop up at universities, so the traditional education prerequisites to enter Web3 are currently low. Use whatever education and experience you do have. Build upon that with the ways mentioned above to create a new career path for yourself.
Take a look at your skills and how they can fill Web3 gaps. For example, these 15 non-technical skill areas are in-demand for Web3:
Content creation
Community building
Video editing
Strategic partnerships
Project management
Product management
Graphic design
Customer support
Sales
Social media management
Event planning
Operations
Human resources
Accounting
Public relations
Rework Your Resume for Web3
Once you have identified your most transferable skills and the kind of Web3 role you want to have, it’s time to rework your resume and create a new professional appearance. Let’s dive into what to include on a Web3 resume and profile:
Start with a professional summary
Consider this section a mini cover letter. Use this 2-4 sentence paragraph on your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight your most transferable skills and the Web3 role you are looking for.
Be upfront about what you want, and tailor this section to each Web3 job you are applying for. Some might have slightly different titles, so be sure to reflect the job title you are applying for here.
Add your areas of expertise
This section of your resume should contain bulleted keywords that are specific to the job description you are applying for. Yes, this should also change for each job you are applying to.
Pull the buzzwords from each job description that best align with your skills, and list them here to show you are a great match for this role and have experience with the listed job responsibilities. Aim for 8 to 16 keywords.
Show off your Web3 experience
Hiring managers understand that this industry is new, so applicants likely will not have several years of experience in Web3. Instead, you can ‘wow’ them by showing off those Web3 basics you’ve tested out yourself.
Share the communities you have joined, the NFTs you have minted, add links to your Web3 content, and highlight your experience as a contributor or a volunteer.
For example, did you grow a Discord with 500 additional members? Did you onboard 20 people in your current role to Web3 by hosting a webinar? These are great accomplishments to spotlight!
Your traditional Web2 experience
It’s important to still include your professional experience in Web2 and notable accomplishments, certifications, and education.
This can be in a typical resume format, where you list your title, company, dates worked, and a few bullets for each role. The key is to identify which job responsibilities or career highlights will translate most to the new Web3 career path you want, and use those to update your bullets.
Don’t forget to update your LinkedIn afterward to match your new Web3 resume!
Start Applying
Now that you have learned about Web3, tested out the basics, started networking, nailed down what Web3 job you want to go after, and reworked your resume to apply… it’s time to start looking for a job!
Here are a few places to start looking:
Join Surge Talent Pool
LinkedIn jobs
Web3 job sites like web3.career or remote3.co
Discord job channels
Web3 recruiters
Conclusion
Web3 is your chance to dream big. Now is the time to decide what you want to do and the kind of career you want to have.
If you put the time in to learn, network, use your imagination and come up with innovative ideas to contribute, the possibilities are endless for technical and non-technical Web3 professionals alike.
Have any questions? Want to get started finding your Web3 job with the Surge community? Join us in Discord or on Twitter and subscribe to the newsletter below.