10 Pro Tips To Get Hired According to Cannabis Recruiters

By: Olivia Walters

What does it take to get hired in the cannabis industry? You might be wondering what your chances are as someone who enjoys recreational smoking but has zero professional experience.

After all, the cannabis business is booming as dispensaries, cultivators, and staffing agencies embrace shifts in the market due to COVID-19.

And cannabis recruiters can be a helpful resource to turn to as hiring trends continue to rise.

That means it might be the perfect time to update your resume and capitalize on cannabis being classified as an “essential” business.

On the other hand, diving into a new industry can be overwhelming when you don’t understand cannabis employers’ expectations or standards.

Because cannabis is still a developing industry, a go-getter spirit and a flexible mindset will help you adapt to changes you might not be prepared for.

The good news is that you have your tribe at Miss Marijuana to back you up.

Two of the leading cannabis staffing agencies on the market answered our questions about how to stand out in the hiring process.

Their insights include exclusive information so you can feel confident that your application will be strong enough to get you hired.

Take a look at these 10 tips to go from being in between jobs to a full-time employee in cannabis.

How to get a job in the cannabis industry

Do your research and educate yourself

That’s the first tip from Rosie Yagielo, co-owner of HempStaff. With over 60,000 resumes in their database, HempStaff is a preeminent hiring agency ready to connect applicants with companies seeking new talent.

Their recruiters work with entry-level to corporate-level applicants. Nonetheless, competition is fierce because everyone wants in, says Yagielo.

If you’re a newbie, Yagielo suggests taking the time to educate yourself before contacting potential employers:

“Knowledge is power and without experience, business owners look for candidates who empower themselves with training.”

You can stay on top of industry trends by subscribing to cannabis-themed newsletters or by following your favorite companies on Instagram.

Enrolling in cannabis dispensary training courses can also add an edge to your application. HempStaff offers state-specific training and online courses for beginners to advanced workers.

On August 29 they’re hosting a 3-hour webinar to train future Budtenders interested in learning how to become an expert dispensary employee. Register here to get ahead of the game and earn street cred for your resume.

Make a list of your professional skills

Your previous employment history can actually work to your advantage. Yagielo at HempStaff mentions the transferable skills you can take from your current industry into cannabis.

Her advice is to think beyond dispensary and cultivation jobs. There’s plenty of need for accountants, security officers, and management positions, says Yagielo.

As with most jobs, good communication, a knack for organization, and a team-player attitude can go a long way, especially in 420-friendly atmospheres. Consider your retail or restaurant experience as selling points on your resume.

Use the right terminology

The third tip for getting noticed by hiring managers has to do with knowing the right language to use on applications and during interviews.

Yagielo settled the confusion and said it best: “I would beg you to stop using the word ‘weed.’ Cannabis and marijuana are the preferred terms.”

This small difference has a lot to do with nuance. “Weed has become a more derogatory term and to some gives the appearance that we are all in the industry to get high,” she said.

Advocacy is also a part of the job so adopting the correct terminology shows your professionalism.

Read the application instructions thoroughly

This tip may seem painfully obvious but HempStaff thought it was worth mentioning. If you can follow simple instructions, then you already surpass applicants who skim or overlook key details.

“There is always a test. If you can’t, don’t, or won’t follow all the instructions on the post, you will probably not follow instructions on the job,” Yagielo said. “This is how hiring managers think.”

That’s an insider tip from the experts themselves.

“You get what you put in”

HempStaff’s final advice is to stay focused on the job search. Yagielo shared that it could take months to land a job since cannabis is a tough industry.

Jobs are competitive but passion can take you far. Yagielo showered two former HempStaff students with praise after they completed training and later became full-time specialists at the staffing agency.

“You get what you put in,” she concluded.

Start networking and build trust

FlowerHire is a younger company with a proven track record for guiding job seekers into cannabis. So far, they’ve filled over 300 jobs since 2017 in 10 states.

CEO David Belsky weighed in on the best strategies to increase your visibility among hiring managers.

He encourages women in cannabis to “go to dispensaries and ask questions, attend business mixers (once a coronavirus vaccine is available, of course), and keep a pulse on LinkedIn where they can initiate business-focused conversations.”

Career growth isn’t linear in cannabis

Belsky mentions that we’re programmed to understand career growth from entry-level to superior roles in other industries. He urges you to rethink mainstream trajectories and consider cannabis differently.

There’s no rule book for cannabis. Being a Budtender doesn’t make you any less professional than an executive.

Titles have yet to normalize, Belsky adds. The ability to keep up the pace in an atmosphere with fast turnaround and recruits who show a vested interest in cannabis are the ones who excel.

Get excited about the product

Keep in mind that cannabis is still an emerging industry. As more research proves the health benefits of marijuana, you have the opportunity to be a part of a movement that will shape history.

CEO Belsky describes the common thread among all employees: “People within cannabis truly believe in their work.”

Showing hiring managers how excited you are about shaping the future separates you from less enthusiastic applicants.

You have to walk the walk and talk the talk

FlowerHire asks this question to future job candidates: “What is your cannabis story?” Explaining your recreational and medical appreciation definitely has its place.

One thing that will take you a little bit farther, however, is expressing social awareness about how cannabis disproportionally affects people of color.

First-hand experience and compassion for other people’s realities make you a more well-rounded candidate.

Stay relevant and adaptable

Finally, staying informed and sharing information with value can help you understand the cannabis market. FlowerHire created a guide which explains common terminology to keep you in the know.

“I think a willingness to learn is vital for any role in cannabis because there is no industry playbook to follow.

Rather, cannabis candidates have to abandon their ego, get tactical and navigate the industry of their own volition,” says Belsky.

Remember to evolve with the industry. A distinguishing trait among employees in cannabis is their adaptability.

Olivia Walters is a writer who focuses on cannabis culture and lifestyle.