The sudden popularity of cryptocurrency and Web3 caused a great migration of talent from Web2 to Web3 jobs, especially towards careers in Community management, Developing, Investing, and Corporate Development.
Before we can start comparing the difference between Web2 and Web3 jobs, we need to understand both terms.
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What is WEB2?
Web 2.0 is actually the aftermath of the dot-com bubble and describes the current state of the World Wide Web, one that mostly consists of user-generated content and social media platforms – the so-called “Interactive Web” or “Social Web.”
This area has been driven by innovations such as smartphones, mobile internet access, and social networks.
What is WEB3?
Web 3.0 is “the internet of the future” and revolves around the idea that everything on the internet will happen on the blockchain. This incorporates new concepts such as decentralization, token-based economics, and profit-sharing, which will change how the world operates. Web 3 has also been named to be “Intelligent Web,” which references smart contracts.
The difference in work culture
The sudden emergence of Web 3 technology and web3 jobs is mainly due to the popularity of cryptocurrency. Thanks to the COVID lockdowns, the whole world became acquainted with remote working, a standard at most Web 3 companies.
Because this blockchain technology is so new and because companies have to fill that many vacancies, ‘job experience’ is usually not a requirement, and more attention is paid to current skills. As a result, young professionals are receiving more (and better) opportunities – a tectonic difference compared to Web 2, causing a huge difference in work culture in the sector.
The difference in hiring
The difference in work culture also extends to the hiring process: resumes are no longer a necessity, and hirings sometimes happen in a matter of hours via discord calls. Below is a list of the biggest differences between web 2 and web 3 hiring.
- Informal process. Most Web 3 companies don’t have an HR department, which means the founders are handling this themselves. Don’t be surprised if your interview is done via a discord call or even a series of Twitter DM’s.
- Fast-paced hiring. We’ve seen people getting hired after a simple discord call or even some simple Twitter DM’s. Forget the applications where you have to do weeks of tests and assessments to have a chance at the job; you’re interviewing directly with the person who makes the decisions and signs the contracts.
- Payments in crypto. Some companies – mainly NFT projects – pay their employees in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other kinds of cryptocurrency. So keep in mind that your salary is linked to a volatile currency.
- Better paid than Web 2.
- A resume is not needed. A resume and proof of educational qualifications are no longer necessary. Most companies in web 3 care about the knowledge of the Web 3 space, the etherscan-history of your wallet, the skills you have, and the level of humor you include in your memes.
Improve your canes for WEB3 jobs!
As in Web 2, the biggest problem in the Web 3 sector is finding, attracting, and effectively retaining talented people. That is why it is important for a candidate to build their personal brand and demonstrate that the Web 3 space interests them.
Our biggest tips for candidates:
- Be motivated and self-driven. This is something you prove by showing what you’ve done in the space or what skills you have.
- Show your knowledge of the culture. Easily proven by maintaining a Twitter account. This is where your funny memes can finally add value!
- Actively search for Web3 jobs. Don’t know where to start? You might want to check out our 0xCareers job board to find the most recent Web3 jobs.
- Set up an ENS domainname. Having an ENS address is always handy, and registering and configuring such an address requires basic WEB3 knowledge.
- Research, buy, Lend and Stack some crypto coins. These actions aren’t rocket science, but it helps you wrap your head around the basic WEB3 terminology and principles.
- Mint, collect, and sell an NFT. It sounds simple, but it helps you to research projects, introduces you to different marketplaces, and makes you understand how vulnerable some of these processes are.
- Join discord servers, and be active on Twitter. It introduces you to the WEB3 culture and helps you use tools that you’ll need for a Web 3 job anyway. Bonus tip? Try to join some meme contests!