Common Take-Home Assignments for Web3 Developer Roles

You've passed the initial screening call for a Web3 developer role. What's next? In most cases, it's the take-home assignment. This is a critical step in the interview process where a company assesses your practical coding skills, your attention to detail, and your ability to work independently.

Unlike abstract algorithm problems, a Web3 take-home assignment is designed to simulate the kind of work you would actually do in the role. Nailing this assignment is often the key to moving on to the final round. This guide covers the most common types of take-home projects you can expect for smart contract and full-stack Web3 roles.

Why Do Companies Use Take-Home Assignments?

To Test Practical Skills: They want to see how you build a real, small-scale project from start to finish.
To Assess Code Quality: It's a chance to evaluate your coding style, documentation, and, most importantly, your approach to testing.
To Gauge Security Mindset: For smart contract roles, they want to see if you write secure code by default.

Pro Tip: A well-documented project with a comprehensive test suite will always stand out. Do not skip writing tests!

Common Smart Contract Developer Assignments

These assignments focus on your Solidity and EVM knowledge.

Build a Staking Contract:
- The Task: Create a contract where users can deposit an ERC-20 token and earn rewards in that same token over time.
- What it Tests: Your understanding of basic DeFi primitives, token interactions (ERC-20), and state management.
- To Go Above and Beyond: Implement a variable reward rate or add a feature to compound rewards. Write extensive tests covering deposits, withdrawals, and reward calculation logic.
Build a Simple On-Chain Auction:
- The Task: Write a contract to auction an NFT. This could be an English auction (price goes up) or a Dutch auction (price goes down).
- What it Tests: Your ability to manage time-based logic, handle bids from multiple users, and securely transfer both ETH and an NFT.
- To Go Above and Beyond: Implement gas optimizations and add protection against common vulnerabilities like reentrancy.
Find the Vulnerability:
- The Task: You are given a piece of Solidity code that contains one or more security flaws. Your job is to identify them, explain why they are a risk, and write a fixed, secure version of the code.
- What it Tests: Your security mindset and knowledge of common attack vectors (reentrancy, integer overflows, oracle manipulation, etc.).
- To Go Above and Beyond: Write a test case (using Foundry or Hardhat) that successfully exploits the vulnerability in the original code, and then show that the same test fails against your fixed code. This is a very strong signal.

Common Full-Stack Web3 Developer Assignments

These assignments test your ability to connect a frontend to smart contracts.

Build a "Wallet Dashboard" Frontend:
- The Task: Create a simple React/Next.js application that allows a user to connect their wallet. The app should then display their ETH balance and their balance of a few major ERC-20 tokens (like USDC and WETH).
- What it Tests: Your proficiency with frontend frameworks and your ability to use a library like Ethers.js or Viem to read data from the blockchain.
- To Go Above and Beyond: Add features like a transaction history viewer or a simple interface for sending ETH. Ensure the UI is clean, responsive, and handles different wallet connection states gracefully (e.g., loading, error, wrong network).
Build an Interface for an Existing Protocol:
- The Task: You are given the address of a smart contract deployed on a testnet (e.g., a simple lending protocol). Your task is to build a frontend that allows users to interact with its main functions (e.g., deposit collateral, borrow, repay).
- What it Tests: Your ability to read and understand an existing contract's ABI (Application Binary Interface) and build a user-friendly interface for it.
- To Go Above and Beyond: Write clear and helpful UI copy that explains what each function does. Add input validation and helpful error messages.

How to Succeed

Read the Instructions Carefully: Make sure you deliver exactly what is asked for.
Write a Great README: Your README.md is part of the submission. Explain your design choices, any trade-offs you made, and provide clear instructions on how to set up and run your project.
Don't Over-Engineer: It's a test, not a production system. Focus on writing clean, correct, and well-tested code that meets the requirements.

By preparing for these common scenarios, you can approach your next Web3 take-home assignment with confidence and showcase the skills that will get you hired.

The Web3 Opportunity

The Web3 sector is experiencing explosive growth, with demand far outpacing supply for qualified talent. Unlike traditional tech, Web3 offers unique advantages: higher compensation, equity opportunities, fully remote roles, and the chance to work on transformative technology.

Market Context

The Web3 job market has fundamentally different dynamics than Web2:

Compensation: Web3 roles typically pay 20-40% higher than equivalent Web2 positions, with significant bonus and equity components.

Remote-First Culture: Most Web3 organizations operate fully or primarily remote, offering flexibility that's rare in traditional tech.

Growth Trajectory: Career progression happens faster in Web3 due to rapid company scaling and talent shortage.

Equity Upside: Token and equity packages are standard, offering significant wealth-building potential.

Step-by-Step Transition Strategy

Step 1: Build Web3 Knowledge Foundation

Spend 4-8 weeks learning blockchain fundamentals. Understand:

How blockchain technology works
Different blockchain architectures
Smart contracts and their use cases
DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs
Current Web3 ecosystem and key players

Step 2: Learn Relevant Skills

Depending on your target role:

Engineers: Solidity, JavaScript/TypeScript, Web3 libraries (ethers.js, web3.js)
Product Managers: Token economics, protocol governance, user growth in Web3
Business Development: Market analysis, partnership strategy, regulatory landscape
Community/Operations: Community building, Discord management, governance

Step 3: Build Your Portfolio

Create tangible proof of your Web3 expertise:

Complete open-source contributions to Web3 projects
Build a small DApp or smart contract
Write about Web3 topics on Medium or Twitter
Contribute to DAOs or community projects
Participate in hackathons

Step 4: Network in Web3

The Web3 community is incredibly accessible:

Join Discord communities of projects you're interested in
Attend Web3 conferences (Consensus, Devcon, ETHDenver)
Engage on Twitter/X with Web3 builders and thought leaders
Participate in governance forums
Join local Web3 meetups

Step 5: Apply Strategically

Target roles that leverage your existing expertise plus new Web3 knowledge:

If you're a backend engineer, look for blockchain infrastructure roles
If you're a PM, look for protocol product roles
If you're in sales/business, look for Web3 business development

Real-World Success Stories

Developer to Smart Contract Engineer

Alex, a 5-year backend engineer at a FAANG company, spent 3 months learning Solidity while maintaining his day job. He contributed to an open-source protocol, caught the attention of a major DeFi project, and transitioned with a 50% salary increase and significant equity.

Product Manager in Web3

Jessica, a PM from traditional finance, leveraged her domain expertise in DeFi. Her understanding of financial products combined with Web3 technology made her incredibly valuable. She found a role at a leading DeFi protocol within 4 weeks.

Career Changer Success

Marcus left his corporate job to focus on Web3 for 6 months. Through consistent learning, networking, and portfolio building, he landed a role leading Developer Relations at a major blockchain platform, with compensation far exceeding his previous role.

Web3-Specific Challenges

Volatility Risk: The sector's volatility can impact job stability. Diversify and build emergency funds.

Regulatory Uncertainty: Regulations are still evolving. Choose projects with strong legal teams.

Due Diligence: Not all projects are legitimate. Research thoroughly before joining.

Learning Curve: The learning curve is steep, but the community is incredibly supportive.

FAQ

Q: Do I need to be a blockchain expert to work in Web3? A: No. Companies need diverse skills-marketing, design, operations, business development. Your existing expertise is valuable; you just need to learn the Web3 context.

Q: How much can I earn in Web3? A: Significantly more than Web2 equivalents. Base salaries are higher, plus signing bonuses, equity, and token packages. Realistic expectation: 30-60% increase from Web2 roles.

Q: Is it risky to transition to Web3? A: Like any emerging industry, there's risk. Mitigate by joining established, well-funded projects with strong teams and track records. Avoid speculation; focus on building.

Q: How long does the transition take? A: 2-6 months depending on your background and effort level. Engineers and product managers transition faster due to transferable skills.

Q: What if the crypto market crashes? A: The fundamental technology and use cases remain valid. Bear markets often create better opportunities-teams can focus on building rather than hype-driven growth.

Key Takeaways

Web3 offers significant compensation, growth, and impact opportunities
Transition takes 2-6 months with dedicated effort
Your existing skills are valuable; focus on learning Web3 context
Networking and portfolio building matter more than certifications
Join established projects to mitigate risk
The community is incredibly supportive and accessible