Have you ever wondered how to get a job in the cannabis industry? Indeed, there’s a job for everyone in this ever-growing market. According to experts, the cannabis industry was able to generate around 3000 new jobs from the time marijuana was legalized in Canada and some parts of the US. More jobs await in every aspect of the cultivation, harvesting, sale, and manufacture of different cannabis products.
Three cannabis-related businesses need talented, skilled, and dedicated people:
Plant-touching Cannabis Businesses
As the term says, this is any kind of business that involves touching the cannabis plant. This includes cultivating cannabis plants, harvesting marijuana plants and buds, trimming and drying of the plant material, and so on. Just some of the possible jobs related to plant-touching:
- Cannabis plant cultivators
- Grow area maintenance employee
- Harvesters
- Workers involved in drying cannabis plants
- Workers that pack cannabis plants and buds
- Dispensary workers
- Cooks or bakers that handle cannabis in preparing edibles
- Workers that make cannabis products (concentrates, oils, etc.)
Ancillary Cannabis Businesses
Most ancillary cannabis-related businesses are B2B companies that provide services to plant-touching companies. For instance, an accounting firm that manages bookkeeping and accounting tasks for a cannabis growing firm or a website design company that creates websites or social media sites of a cannabis dispensary. Just some of the popular ancillary cannabis jobs:
- Accountants and bookkeepers
- Web designers and web developers
- Social media experts
- Packaging and label makers
- Drivers and other transportation-related workers
- Security personnel
- Cannabis growing supplies makers
Biotech Cannabis Businesses
As the name implies, these businesses use the cannabis plant as the main component of medications and therapeutic products. Just of the few biotech cannabis jobs, you might be interested in:
- Chemists
- Biotech machine operators
- Product testers
How to Get a Job in the Cannabis Industry? Step by Step
These are basic steps on how to go about getting any kind of job in the marijuana industry.
1. Consider Your Skills, Talents, and Background
What are your unique skills or talents that will help you get hired for the job? Do you have experience with growing cannabis plants? Are you aware of harvest time cues? Although it’s a plus if you have the experience, most cannabis growing companies will gladly hire inexperienced workers as the job is very easy to learn.
2. Create Your Resume
Start making your resume. Include previous relevant jobs and their respective dates. Include contact details of people who can vouch for your skills and talents. Don’t forget to include your contact details as well. Make sure that you include your updated email, mobile phone number, and Skype ID.
Some employers or managers that hire workers online may require them to send their resumes via email or through Skype. But make sure to have a hard copy of your resume once you are invited for a one-on-one interview.
3. Choose at Least Five or More Job Postings
Select five or more job postings. Take note of postings with complete job descriptions, compensation, and benefits, etc. Consider the company’s location and other perks.
4. Activate Your Email Notifications for Good Jobs
You won’t be able to find the best fitting job at one go, so save yourself time and effort by activating notifications for jobs that you are qualified for. Take Google with its email notification feature, which will send automatic updates about any topic straight to your email. Some job posting sites also have this feature, and it pays to turn on notifications from these sites as well.
5. Submit Your Resume and Wait for an Interview
Once you think that you are best suited for a job, apply and submit your resume. Include a cover letter stating why you should be considered for the job and why you would like to work for the company.
After submitting your resume and cover letter, give the employer or manager at least a week to consider your application.
6. Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions
If you have questions about the job, don’t hesitate to ask. Most people are not too keen on asking about salary or the job’s compensation, and this should not be the case. Most employers are willing to answer any questions, even questions about compensation and job description.
7. Wait for a Call Email if You’re Accepted
Wait for an email or a call in case you’re accepted as most employers need workers right away. Also, employers are looking for workers that are willing and ready to take the job. If you’re unable to answer your phone or respond to an email, then they may think that you’re not as interested in working. So always keep your lines open and your email notifications on in case you need to respond to an acceptance message.
8. Be Ready for Your First Day
If you have experience with cannabis growing, handling, or harvesting, then it’s likely you’ll get hired right away. As with other jobs, the manager or employer may ask you to report as soon as you can. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.
You’ll get hired faster than others in the cannabis industry if you have the following:
- Previous work experience with different cannabis jobs.
- If you have your cannabis garden at home or you’re a personal use grower.
- If you know different cannabis tasks.
- If you’re willing to train for the job.
- If you’re willing to work longer hours.
- If you can work unsupervised.
- If you have people who can vouch for your skills and talents.
- If you have previous training for the job or task at hand.
- If you live near the area where the company or business is.
- If you are a fellow toker – yes, some employers may consider this as marijuana users understand how precious cannabis plants are and why these must be handled with great care.
Now that you know how to get a job in the cannabis industry, it’s time to start looking for your dream marijuana job. And the most important tip from our list of techniques is to simply be patient. You may not get the job right away, but rest assured you’ll find the best one that fits your skills and qualifications in no time.