Owen Healy: Why Live Crypto Events Are Still Key to Recruiting in the Remote Work Era
While remote work is becoming the norm in the tech and Web3 industries, live crypto events remain an indispensable way to find and connect with talent. That’s what leading Web3 recruiter and personal branding strategist Owen Healy said in a conversation with BeInCrypto at ETH Belgrade.
Finding Talent Not Present on LinkedIn
Healy highlighted the unique value of live events in uncovering “hidden gems” Web2 developers who contribute to open-source Web3 projects but are largely invisible on recruiting platforms. At events like ETH Belgrade, he has met many talented individuals who would otherwise be unreachable through keyword searches or online profiles. Face-to-face meetings facilitate quicker and deeper connections than any virtual recruiting channel.
Differences Between Ethereum Events and General Crypto Conferences
According to Healy, Ethereum-centric events tend to create real connections, where people want to get to know each other, their projects, and their direction. Meanwhile, many other crypto conferences are more promotional or “speed dating” in nature, focusing on brands rather than individuals. This makes specialized events more effective for both candidates and recruiters.
Hiring Starts with a Conversation
A big advantage of in-person conferences is the ability to make a strong impression, even if the candidate’s resume isn’t outstanding. A quick chat with a CTO can be the start of a long-term professional relationship. Especially for companies that aren’t ready to hire full-time, short meetings can open up opportunities for part-time work, consulting, or future partnerships.
Healy’s Strategy: Simply Show Up
Healy says he doesn’t schedule events in advance. He simply posts that he’s attending and lets things happen. His presence, combined with content shared on LinkedIn, is often enough to spark meaningful conversations. One of his successful examples was meeting a marketing person at Zebu Live who introduced him to a brilliant Bitcoin developer who had no profile on any recruiting platform. He eventually hired him for a client project.
Job Seeker Advice
Healy encourages candidates to be proactive, honest, and transparent. Before the event, research the speaker list, connect on Twitter or Telegram, and showcase your skills in a genuine way. Sharing GitHub, articles, or even a few quality tweets can also demonstrate interest and commitment to the Web3 space.
Message for Businesses: Spend Your Money Where It Matters
Healy asserts that if he were an in-house recruiter for a growing project, he would allocate the majority of his recruiting budget to in-person events. The most valuable talent is sometimes found at conferences, not on recruiting platforms. The cost of events may be high, but the value the right person brings to a project far outweighs that.
Summary
In a world where technology enables limitless connectivity, physical presence at crypto conferences remains a strategic lever for effective Web3 recruiting. For both recruiters and candidates, a face-to-face meeting can make a bigger difference than any email, CV, or LinkedIn profile.