Blockchain is in its infancy, but it has the potential to revolutionize virtually every industry. As more and more businesses adopt blockchain technology, you can get in on the ground floor of this exciting career path, but be forewarned—it’s going to be competitive. How can you sell your profile to potential employers and land your dream job? Your knowledge and passion are the key. Below, we’ll discuss how to include these compellingly in your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio.
Why Regulatory Knowledge Is Important
As stated above, blockchain is a new technology. It was first launched in 2009, and entrepreneurs and researchers alike are still grappling with its potential.
Regulations concerning the use of blockchain are also nascent. Even the experts are uncertain as to how blockchain regulation will evolve.
But compliance is important in the business world, especially large businesses. They seek to avoid fines and litigation whenever possible. If you demonstrate that you possess regulatory knowledge, therefore, this sets you apart from other blockchain developers.
Where can you find information about the latest laws and regulations? The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a good place to start, as they administer regulations on cryptocurrencies, all of which are based on blockchain.
Money laundering is the primary compliance issue currently associated with blockchain. Therefore, you should also familiarize yourself with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) regulations on money laundering. If you plan on working remotely with an international company, research further regulations that might apply in their jurisdiction.
We’ll consider a couple of key ways to demonstrate this knowledge below.
Projects That Highlight Your Passion
Having the know-how isn’t enough. Many employers are looking for skilled professionals who demonstrate a passion for blockchain technology. This assures that they will stay up-to-date with emerging trends and technological changes, to the benefit of the company.
Currently, the most in-demand technical skills include smart contracts, consensus mechanisms, cryptography, distributed systems, and programming languages. This focus may change as new applications for blockchain are developed.
Consider taking on personal, paid, or volunteer projects that include the above. Then, don’t forget to highlight them in your portfolio, which we will discuss in more detail below.
Crafting a Profile That Sells
Your professional profile includes a number of electronic documents that, taken together, tell the story of your professional life. The following steps will help you build a strong and adaptable profile.
Resumes and cover letters are often the first step in the job application process. Your resume should highlight how you’ve used blockchain and IT skills in previous jobs, courses you’ve taken, relevant projects, and a list of your most pertinent skills.
Be sure to update your resume regularly to include new projects, experiences, training, or skills. Include general industry keywords, and tailor your resume to the precise requirements in each job listing.
Your resume requires an accompanying cover letter. You might consider swapping the traditional cover letter for a motivation letter. Instead of giving specific examples of past work in your letter, broaden your scope. Describe your motives for applying—what you want to accomplish—as well as how your personality traits and interests make you a good fit for a fast-paced job in development, security, or compliance.
You should also build a strong portfolio of your work with blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Preferably, this should be online, either on a personal website or a LinkedIn profile. Link to articles you’ve written, articles about your work, and your projects themselves.
If your profile seems incomplete, don’t worry. You can get started on projects today that you can include in the future. Write articles for your own website or guest post elsewhere (this is especially valuable for displaying your regulatory knowledge). You can also get involved in open-source blockchain projects.
Don’t forget to adjust your LinkedIn settings so recruiters know that you’re looking for work and are open to offers. Rest assured that tech teams use LinkedIn! Post often on your LinkedIn feed. Linking to blockchain-related news items (including those dealing with new regulations) or scientific articles can prove that you are indeed staying up to date on the evolving technology.
Key Takeaways
In order to impress with the best of your fellow blockchain applicants, you must highlight your passion for blockchain engineering as well as your knowledge of current regulatory matters.
To do this, you should build a strong portfolio. If you don’t have much on-the-job experience, try working on open-source projects or writing for tech blogs to establish your expertise.
Then, craft your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect relevant skills and experiences. Make sure your cover letter motivates the reader to hire you based on your keen interest in the field.
Blockchain history is waiting to be made – use your knowledge and passion to become a part of it!
