The Smart Way to Get Hired: A Guide for Aspiring Smart Contract Developers

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OKT Chain Developer Hub

9 min readMar 7, 2023

Smart Contract Development: How to Secure Your Next Job

Smart contract development is a rapidly growing field in the blockchain industry. As more businesses adopt blockchain technology, the demand for skilled smart contract developers is on the ris. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a smart contract developer, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of getting hired.

TLDR;

What are Smart Contracts Smart Contract Platforms
Technical Skills
How to Get Hired as a Smart Contract Developer
Personal projects
Hackathons
Certifications
Networking
Meetups and conferences
The Hiring Process

What are Smart Contracts?

Smart contracts are self-executing digital contracts that operate on blockchain technology. They use a set of predefined rules to automatically verify and enforce the terms of an agreement between parties without the need for intermediaries, such as lawyers or banks. The code that defines the smart contract is transparent and tamper-proof, ensuring that all parties involved in the agreement have equal access to the terms and conditions.

Smart contracts can be used for a wide range of applications, including financial services, supply chain management, and identity verification. They provide a secure and efficient way of conducting transactions without the need for intermediaries, reducing costs, and increasing transparency.

Importance of Smart Contract Developers

The importance of smart contract developers lies in the growing demand for blockchain technology and its applications. Smart contract developers play a critical role in creating and maintaining the code that powers smart contracts, ensuring that they operate smoothly and securely.

As more businesses and industries adopt blockchain technology, the demand for skilled smart contract developers is on the rise. They are needed to design, develop, and implement smart contracts, and to integrate them with existing systems and applications.

Smart contract developers are responsible for ensuring the security and reliability of smart contracts, as any flaws or errors in the code could result in financial losses or legal disputes. Therefore, the role of a smart contract developer is critical to the success and adoption of blockchain technology.

Blockchain Languages

Blockchain languages are programming languages specifically designed for creating smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) on blockchain networks. The most common blockchain language is Solidity, developed by Gavin Wood, which is used for creating smart contracts on the Ethereum network. Solidity is statically typed, meaning variable types are declared, and it is compiled into a binary before execution. Another language gaining popularity is Vyper, which has similar features to Solidity but is more secure due to its simplicity.

Solidity is slightly different from interpreted languages like Python. It’s statically typed and compiled, so declaring variable types, and creating a binary will be needed before it is run. Created by Gavin Wood to solve Ethereum’s unique problems back in 2014, it is now the go-to language for all EVM-compatible chains like Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, and OKX Chain. There are some chains that do not use EVM and have different programming languages, like Solana- which uses Rust and C/C++.

Choosing the right blockchain language for development depends on factors such as the blockchain network being used, the need for scalability, transaction throughput, and decentralization. It is crucial to have a good understanding of the language’s features, advantages, and limitations before deciding on a specific blockchain language.

Choosing a Blockchain

Choosing a blockchain to develop on is complex with no easy answers. Most choose Ethereum for dApps as it has the highest liquidity and reliability. Another option is to deploy a scaling layer (L2) such as Arbitrum, which has full EVM compatibility but “rolls up” the transactions into compressed bundles so transaction throughput is higher, lowers cost and increases speed.

As for the other EVM chains, each offers some form of scalability improvement over Ethereum; OKX Chain is EVM and IBC compatible with extremely low gas fees; Polygon is a sidechain which trades off some decentralization for scaling, and Avalanche uses a new consensus algorithm to improve its transaction speed/cost.

Technical Skills and Requirements

Solidity programming may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re already familiar with C/C++, you have an advantage in learning Solidity. Even those with experience in JavaScript or Python may need to adjust to a more low-level mindset when programming in Solidity.

Nonetheless, having both front-end and back-end development skills is essential to becoming a great blockchain developer. When it comes to interfacing with Solidity smart contracts, web3.js, ethers.js, and web3.py libraries come into play. Another great resource is the OpenZeppelin contract library, which includes common contracts, such as a token contract.

As a smart contract developer, security ahould be prioritised since contracts could potentially handle billions of dollars. It’s crucial to be aware of vulnerabilities such as reentrancy, which caused the famous $70M ETH DAO hack. A security-conscious mindset is critical for smart contract developers.

Fortunately, there are many tools available to make Solidity programming more accessible. Remix is a web-based IDE that can help with contract compilation and deployment. Truffle and Brownie are also excellent development frameworks that can streamline the process for you.

These are some of the languages, libraries, and tools you should familiarize yourself with to become a smart contract developer:

Solidity
JavaScript
Python
web3.js/web3.py
ethers.js
Truffle
Brownie
Remix

Tips to Get Hired as a Smart Contract Developer

Creating Personal Projects:

Building a strong portfolio is an important aspect of getting hired as a smart contract developer. When building your portfolio, it’s essential to showcase your technical skills and projects that you have worked on. Consider contributing to open-source projects or building your own projects from scratch. Your portfolio should demonstrate your ability to write clean, efficient code and to create smart contracts that are secure and scalable. Be sure to include links to your GitHub profile and any relevant social media platforms. If possible, create a personal website where you can showcase your portfolio and highlight your skills and experience. A strong portfolio will not only help you stand out to potential employers but can also serve as a valuable resource to showcase your work to the broader blockchain community.

Participating in Open-source Projects, Hackathons:

Hackathons can be an incredibly valuable experience for budding smart contract developers. Unlike traditional learning methods, hackathons provide an environment where you can learn by doing, honing your skills in real-time as you build your project. The added benefit of being surrounded by respected members of the industry can also be invaluable, as you gain insight and guidance from experienced professionals.

Join OKX Hackathon 2023

The upcoming OKX Hackathon is an excellent opportunity to jump-start your smart contract career. Co-hosted with Google Cloud, there will be leading experts in attendance and a total prize pool of $600k.

Timeline to sign-up

Application period: Now- March 22

Application closes on March 24, 18:00 PST. Accepted participants will be notified via email.

Apply now

Workshops + Grouping: March 17–22

Meet and find your potential team members during our workshops and sharing sessions by thought leaders in the space.

Hackathon: March 24–27

Address: 3120 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara, CA, 95054

*Only open to accepted participants

Attaining Certifications:

There are a variety of certifications available. One widely recognized certification is the Certified Blockchain Developer (CBD) certification offered by Blockchain Training Alliance. This certification covers topics such as smart contract development, Ethereum, Solidity, and the basics of blockchain technology. Additionally, there are certifications specific to certain platforms, such as the Ethereum Developer Certification, offered by ConsenSys Academy. This certification covers topics such as Solidity programming, dApps development, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Other certifications to consider include the Corda Developer Certification, offered by R3, and the Hyperledger Fabric Certification, offered by the Linux Foundation. Obtaining one or more of these certifications can demonstrate a developer’s skills and dedication to the field, making them stand out to potential employers.

Joining Online Communities:

Community is extremely important in the smart contract space. With so much innovation happening so quickly, it’s hard to keep up on your own. That’s why the best developers actively network on Twitter, join hackathons to meet other developers and potential investors or employers, pick up Gitcoin bounties to assist open-source development, engage on thoughtful forums such as the Smart Contract Research Forum, and chat on Discord to learn and help others learn.

Attending Meetups and Conferences:

One way to meet other developers, projects, investors and more is through attending Meetups and conferences. During these events, developers can connect with like-minded individuals, better understand the overall landscapes and network with potential employers. It is also an effective method to gain knowledge about the wide range of applications for blockchain and Web3 technology. It is to participate in conferences, workshops, seminars, and other virtual, live, or hybrid events.

Here are a few conferences that happen annually.

Tips on Improving Soft Skills

While technical skills are essential for smart contract developers, it’s also essential to improve your soft skills.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are vital, as smart contract development involves collaborating with different stakeholders with varying levels of technical knowledge. As a smart contract developer, you should be able to communicate complex technical concepts in simple terms to non-technical team members, investors, and users.

Time Management

As smart contract projects involve strict deadlines that require effective planning, prioritization, and organization skills, time management skills are also a must.

Teamwork

Teamwork is key in smart contract development, and developers should be comfortable working in a team environment, being able to listen, give and receive feedback, and work towards common goals. Improving these soft skills can make you a more effective and efficient smart contract developer and enhance your career prospects.

The Hiring Process

Job Search:

The first step in the hiring process for smart contract developers is to search for available job openings. This can be done through job search engines, networking, or directly on the company’s website. The best way is through networking so best to attend events and come with a game plan. Know who you want to talk to and leverage on existing networks. Read more on our guide here.

As a smart contract developer, it is essential to tailor your resume to the job requirements, highlighting relevant skills and experience.

Interview Process:

The interview process for smart contract developers typically includes technical interviews to assess their proficiency in programming languages and their understanding of blockchain technology. Soft skills such as co

Communication and teamwork are also evaluated. In some cases, employers may conduct multiple rounds of interviews to assess a candidate’s compatibility with the team.

Tests:

Smart contract developers may also be required to take technical tests, either online or in person, to assess their knowledge and skills in programming languages and blockchain technology. These tests may include coding challenges, algorithmic problems, and other technical assessments.

Negotiation and Contract Signing:

Once a job offer is made, negotiations may take place on salary, benefits, and other terms of the employment contract. Once the terms are agreed upon, a formal contract is signed, and the hiring process is complete.

If you have a an interest in blockchain technology, a career as a smart contract developer could be an excellent choice. With the right combination of technical skills, soft skills, and industry knowledge, you can position yourself as a sought-after developer in this growing field. Don’t be discouraged by the learning curve or the competitive nature of the job market. With hard work and perseverance, you can build a fulfilling and rewarding career as a smart contract developer.

About OKC (OKX Chain)

OKC (OKX Chain) is an EVM- and IBC-compatible L1 built on Cosmos with a focus on true interoperability and maximized performance. At high scalability, developers can build and scale with low gas fees. The OKC (OKX Chain) ecosystem and infrastructure, including the all-in-one multi-chain Web3 interface, enables a seamless experience for both developers and users.

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