Oct 10, 2025 
38 mins to read Hi! I'm Charles, delighted to meet you all again
To be honest, today I'd like to talk about a cliché topic that always warms my heart—career transition. You see, I'm Charles, having worked at MyJob.one for nearly a decade, specializing in recruitment and investment practices in the Web3 space. Recently at ETHGlobal Tokyo, I met a young engineer who asked me how I transitioned from coding to product management. Hmm…right, that story reminded me of my own journey, so let me share it today.
On a Wednesday afternoon, I was sipping an iced Americano in a Tokyo café while observing the people around me. At the next table, a job seeker was frantically scrolling through their phone, displaying a project requirements document on the screen. Honestly, scenes like this remind me of my own confused days when I first started. Back then, I had just switched from a technical development role in Ethereum to product management, and it took me months to adjust. Why? Because technical crossover isn’t something you can just jump into—it requires breaking out of your comfort zone.
By the way, if you're considering a similar transition, remember to eat something during those late-night overtime sessions—I once got airsick on a flight in San Francisco because I skipped breakfast! But that’s not the point. The point is how we move beyond piles of smart contracts and Solidity code to focus on user needs and product vision.
The Shift from Code to User-Centric Thinking
You see, I was originally a full-fledged engineer. About five years ago, in a late-night meeting room for a Solana project, our team was struggling with Gas Fee issues. Optimizing transaction costs and improving user experience—these weren’t my strengths. Honestly, when writing smart contracts, I preferred burying my head in coding rather than discussing market strategies with product managers.
But life always has turning points. At Token2049, I encountered an interesting scene: a group of developers and investors sitting together discussing how to bring DeFi applications to the mainstream market. At that moment, I realized that while technology is great, without solid product design and market insights, even the coolest smart contracts are just ornaments. Hmm…right, this inspiration came from my experience with a StarkNet project, where Rollup technology was as efficient as shipping boxes, but without a product manager to plan the route, those boxes might end up stuck in customs forever.
The world of Web3 products is especially like this. Unlike traditional software, Web3 projects require a combination of blockchain technology, user community governance, and innovative business models. This was the key driver behind my transition. For example, in my last job, I managed products for a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), where we used ZK-Rollup to reduce transaction costs while incentivizing user participation through NFTs. This process taught me that a product manager’s role isn’t just about coordinating technical teams but also bridging vision and reality.
Honestly, I was anxious early in my transition. I remember sitting in a London subway station on a rainy night, wondering: As a technical expert, what value could I actually provide users? Was I wasting my talent? But later, I realized a crucial point: Technology is the foundation, but the product is the soul. Just like Gas Fee, in the Web3 world, waiting costs (like development time) are often underestimated—this is one of the challenges career transitions must face.
MyJob Guidance How It Helped My Transition
You see, during this process, the MyJob.one platform gave me many opportunities for MyJob guidance. Honestly, I’m not your typical HR expert; I prefer diving into technical details. But when posting jobs on MyJob.one, we often receive inquiries from job seekers about preparing for transition interviews.
For example, after mentioning my interest in GameFi products in my profile, a job seeker reached out: “Teacher Charles, I’m a Solidity developer looking to transition to product management. Do you have any advice?” This question reminded me of my own journey. Hmm…right, when answering such questions, I share real-life cases and resources.
- Case Study: At my previous company, we hired a product manager with a Solidity background for a StarkNet project. The result was surprising—he not only brought a technical perspective but also helped the team avoid several potential Gas Fee pitfalls.
- Advice: If you want to take a similar path, start with auxiliary projects. For instance, help a small team with requirement analysis or prototype design on Ethereum.
By the way, jobs posted on MyJob.one often include hybrid roles. After ETHGlobal Tokyo, I browsed the platform and saw a job description for transitioning from Ethereum smart contract engineer to product consultant—it was practically tailor-made for me!
Honestly, the biggest obstacle in transitioning isn’t the skill gap but psychological self-doubt. Technical crossover requires constantly asking yourself: “How can my technical experience translate into product value?” The answer often comes through practice and reflection.
Skill Set Recommendations: Core Competencies from Engineer to Product Manager
You see, if you’re considering this journey, prepare a unique skill set:
- Technical Foundation: Familiarity with smart contract languages (Solidity or Vyper), understanding Layer2 solutions like Optimistic Rollup.
- Product Thinking: Learn to use User Journey Maps and analyze market trends.
- Communication & Collaboration: Especially crucial in Web3 projects, as DAO decisions often require community consensus.
- Tool Proficiency: Master tools like Figma or Trello to aid design and requirement management.
Hmm…right, in my personal experience, reading *The Lean Startup* helped immensely. It taught me how to iterate product ideas quickly—something especially applicable in Web3. For example, during a late-night overtime session, it struck me: Why can’t our DApp be as simple as Twitter? This inspiration came from a speech I heard in a San Francisco airport lounge.
A little humorous aside: Once in a Paris café, I explained the importance of product management to a job seeker: “In the blockchain world, if you only know how to code, it’s like only knowing how to queue for coffee—efficiency is necessary but not everything.” This resonated because Gas Fee is indeed a form of waiting cost.
The uniqueness of Web3 products lies in requiring product managers to balance technical sensitivity with market perspective. This isn’t just a simple career change—it’s an opportunity to redefine your professional identity.
Real Case Study: My Transition Journey
Honestly, this is the part I most want to share—my own story. About four years ago, after a Solana developer conference, I began pondering: What does career transition really mean? I’m a tech geek! But that night in a small Tokyo ramen shop, it hit me: Maybe I could turn my technical expertise into product leadership.
You see, here’s what I did over the next year: First, I created my profile on MyJob.one and regularly posted articles about Ethereum ecosystem observations. This gave me a platform to showcase MyJob guidance—like sharing how to apply smart contract experience to real product design.
The turning point came one weekend last year. At Token2049 Hong Kong, an investor asked about our StarkNet project’s progress. It was cold, but I was energized; I decided to apply for a product manager role—a DeFi platform project combining Layer2 technology.
- Challenge: The technical interview covered Solidity basics; the product interview required discussing user behavior analysis.
- Success Factor: I highlighted my auxiliary development experience and used ZK-Rollup case studies to demonstrate understanding of Web3 products.
The result? I was hired as the project’s product lead! Looking back, in this role, I helped the team reduce development errors by 40% and optimized Gas Fee to minimal levels—this is the synergy technical crossover brings.
By the way, during this process, I learned to use new tools like DAO tools for community feedback management—skills I’d never touched as a pure engineer.
Tips to Ease Anxiety
If you’re going through a similar transition, remember:
- Start Small: Begin by contributing to open-source projects.
- Seek Community Support: Share your doubts on Discord or Twitter Spaces—many are willing to offer MyJob guidance.
- Keep Learning: Read non-technical books like *Sapiens* to broaden your perspective; product design often stems from humanistic angles.
Honestly, during my toughest transition moments—like at 3 AM on a New York subway—I’d browse success stories on my phone for motivation. Remember: Anxiety is normal, but don’t let it stop you.
Hmm…right, one last thing: In my new role, we used Celestia to build a data layer—this reminded me of life’s layers: Career transition is like climbing from the ground to a higher platform, where the view is broader.
Future Outlook: Continuous Growth in Web3
You see, after all this, I’m confident about the future. The development of Web3 products will bring more cross-domain opportunities. For example, in a recent Optimistic Rollup project, we needed to balance development efficiency and user interface—this is where product managers shine.
Honestly, on MyJob.one, we’re seeing more technical talent transitioning to product roles. Why? Because Web3 needs more connectors than isolated developers—think of GameFi’s success! It relies on player communities, not just technical highlights.
Technical Crossover: More Than a Personal Choice
The Ethereum ecosystem is driving this shift. At ETHGlobal Tokyo, I heard a statistic: Over 70% of new developers now focus on both technical and product aspects. This isn’t coincidence—it’s industry evolution.
A life detail: Yesterday in a Paris café, I overheard young people discussing their next NFT project—they weren’t just talking code but also market positioning and user experience. This generation thinks cross-domain by nature.
Future advice: Explore Emerging Fields: Like integrating AI into DApps; Keep Learning: Don’t limit yourself to one language or protocol; Leverage Platforms: MyJob.one often lists hybrid-skill jobs!
Hmm…finally: Career transition is both adventure and opportunity. If you’re ready to embrace change, remember: Technology is your arsenal; product is your compass.
Closing: Reflective & Humorous Wrap-Up
Honestly, writing this reminded me of that young man I met after ETHGlobal Tokyo—he asked if I regretted transitioning. My answer: “Regret? No! Of course, there were challenges—like when I thought I could handle Gas Fee issues for five projects simultaneously and ended up losing hair!” Haha…that’s life, right? Laughter helps us grow.
Final Humor: Someone asked why I recommend MyJob guidance so naturally. My reply: Just like finding a spot in a coffee queue, career paths need help—and MyJob.one is that friendly partner!
Keep going! Whether transitioning or upskilling, Web3 offers endless possibilities. MyJob.one">MyJob.one is here to support you.
