Personal connections remain crucial in Web3, even as remote hiring becomes the norm. Amid virtual hiring systems and online networking, industry events offer unique opportunities for both talent and employers to connect in meaningful ways. Owen Healy, a leading Web3 recruiter and personal branding strategist, has built a reputation for recognizing hidden gems and forging connections others miss.
BeInCrypto sat down with Owen during ETH Belgrade to discuss ongoing talent trends in Web3, the special role of live crypto events for hiring in a digital-first industry, and what both job seekers and companies often overlook. Healy’s experience gives him a front-row seat to shifts in how projects identify and evaluate candidates.
The Transformative Value of In-Person Crypto Events
Pivotal. Absolutely pivotal. The great thing about these events is that you meet a lot of hidden gems, especially developers who might still be in Web2 jobs but have been contributing to open-source projects in Web3 for some time. They’re not always on LinkedIn, and even if they are, you might not find them through keywords. Events like ETH Belgrade, where 200+ people are hacking, are perfect for this. Serbia, in particular, has been a fantastic source of talent for me; the country is teeming with developers.
Ethereum vs. General Crypto Conferences: What Sets Them Apart?
Ethereum events are much more relational. People actually want to get to know you: what you’re into, both inside and outside of crypto. It’s less transactional. You get proper conversations and more depth. At general crypto events, sometimes it feels like speed dating. It’s more about logos than people. Here, you get the chance to talk to someone multiple times over a few days, and that makes all the difference.
Advantages for Candidates and Companies at Live Events
You meet someone in person and you’re instantly impressed, even if their resume doesn’t scream “perfect fit.” That’s the beauty of events. A quick conversation with a CTO or project lead can spark a connection. And if they remember you, you’ve already planted a seed. Later, following up on Telegram or sharing your ideas becomes much easier. You’re no longer just another CV in the stack.
Events give marketers a shot at breaking into the space. A lot of founders you meet here might not be ready to hire full-time, but they’ll remember someone who offers to help part-time or pro bono. It’s a way to get that first bit of experience. Even just connecting with ecosystem reps or project ambassadors can lead to something. You just have to be proactive.
Making the Most of Crypto Conferences: Strategy and Success Stories
I don’t plan that much. I’m usually too busy with day-to-day work to set meetings in advance. I just show up, post on LinkedIn that I’m attending, and go from there. A lot of the success I’ve had is just from being visible, having people recognize me from my content, and starting conversations naturally. You make one real connection, and that can snowball into ten more. My only strategy is to show up, talk to people, and just try to make friends.
One recent example: I was at Zebu Live in London and ended up chatting with a marketing guy. We became friends. A few months later, he introduced me to a Bitcoin dev: super talented, but completely under the radar. Not active on LinkedIn, nothing. I never would’ve found him through sourcing. I ended up hiring him for a client project. That connection wouldn’t have happened without that event. These things really do have ROI.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events and Advice for Job Seekers
I’ll definitely be at ETHCC—last year, it was good for business, even if not the most fun event. Buenos Aires is on the list, too. I love Barcelona, so I’ll probably go to the European Blockchain Convention again. Probably Zebu Live, maybe Eth Warsaw. I’m still figuring it all out.
For job seekers, my advice is to be honest. Be transparent. Reach out in advance. Look at the speaker list, check who’s going on Twitter, and just message people. Say: “Hey, I’m looking to get into the space. Here are my skills. Can we chat?” Share articles you’ve written, GitHub links, anything that shows your interest. Even a couple of good tweets. People in this space are usually happy to help, but you need to show effort.
Guidance for Companies: Rethinking Hiring Budgets
If I were an in-house recruiter for a rapidly expanding project or Foundation, I’d spend a big chunk of my hiring budget on attending events like these. There’s a ton of talent here that won’t show up through traditional channels. Bring your CTO. Talk to people. You’ll leave with a pipeline you never would’ve built online. And yes, events cost money: but one good hire can pay for that ten times over.
