Marijuana industry today is the rapidly growing business sector. Weed creates not only a plethora of new products and services but also a great number of vacancies. I’d go as far as saying legal cannabis is the greatest job creation machine in America. Researchers claim that there are now more than 211,000 cannabis jobs across the US. Official statistics for 2017 report that the marijuana workforce increased by 21% and gained another 44% in 2018. It is expected at least another 20% growth in the occupied population in this year. If you also have an itch to join a growing number of people working in cannabis, following bits of advice from our experts will be extremely useful for you. Here we are talking about how to jump into the industry and how to stay afloat, how to distinguish yourself among competitors and what skills and personal qualities most valued.
In your opinion, what cannabis jobs are most in-demand now and what will be on the top of popularity in the future?
Manufacturing jobs, consisting of farming and processing aspects. While a number of retailers are also opening up, I believe there are far more jobs in the manufacturing and product producing side of the industry. These production jobs will remain strong in the near future, and as the industry sophisticates, more technical acumen and scientific skill sets will be required to become gainfully employed.
How can candidates stand out to get an appointment?
Education and past experience in pharmaceuticals, supplements, and food handling, along with big professional agricultural practices can definitely help you stand out in the crowd today.
What skills / professional knowledge are required to succeed?
Work ethic and determination to constantly improve are exceptionally important to success, no matter of your past schooling or skill sets. Hunger and drive contribute far more to being a significant participating team player in a rapidly growing enterprise than where you may have gone to school years ago. Schooling forms a great foundation, but how you've applied it, how you've continued to grow since you graduated, and what you've done with that foundation shows a lot more about how you can contribute to a team than simply where you went to school. This is a brand new emerging industry, almost any past skill set you have should be applicable in some way, how you apply it, how hard you work to apply it, those are what will see you keeping the new job for a longer term in my opinion. It isn't what have you done as much as what will you keep doing and continue to contribute that matters most.
In your opinion, what cannabis jobs are most in-demand now and what will be on the top of popularity in the future?
The cannabis industry is growing so quickly and is at such an early stage of its projected size that there really are opportunities across the entire spectrum of the industry. Even in areas where there have been relative concentrations of employment and service needs (attorneys, cultivation, processing, etc.), there will be an increased need as the industry continues to expand. Just as there will be expanded opportunity there will also be needs for more expertise within specific disciplines that are already engaged. I continue to recommend that people look very seriously at this industry for career development but also that they look at the areas in which they have passion and expertise and pursue those avenues. The industry is still evolving and therefore there are many bumps and bruises to be had along the way so that a real passion and commitment are required at this stage.
How can candidates stand out to get an appointment?
They should fully prepare not merely by understanding the role and/or the company they are applying to but also get a very broad understanding of the industry, its history and the underlying medicinal and wellness benefits of the plant on the human body.
What skills / professional knowledge are required to succeed?
It is dependent on the job being applied for, but I also believe that a real understanding of the history and significance this industry holds in positively impacting lives, in so many ways, is critical and can help to differentiate in a job interview. The industry is also young enough that passion and belief matter and in the right candidate will translate into better job performance and value add to almost any cannabis enterprise.
In your opinion, what cannabis jobs are most in-demand now and what will be on the top of popularity in the future?
Right now there is a great need for education and testing in the industry. Consumers are confused and don’t know who to trust. Sera Labs is one of the market leaders with regard to rigorous 3rdparty testing of all our products. As the industry becomes more compliant and regulations are enacted, I see a great need for additional testing labs and in house Quality Assurance personnel.
How can candidates stand out to get an appointment?
Always be prepared and do your homework, as well as preparing a resume that is in alignment with the job description. Study the company, the executives' background and know the competition, as well as the industry.
What skills / professional knowledge are required to succeed?
Always study the industry, trends, and science as well as industry problems. Come with solutions and confidence without being arrogant. Believe in yourself and how you can be an asset to the company. Listen to the companies needs and be nimble about trying to fill the hole for what they are looking for in a candidate.
In your opinion, what cannabis jobs are most in-demand now and what will be on the top of popularity in the future?
From my experience, I have seen a huge demand for budtenders and dispensary agents. A lot of people express interest in entering the industry, and this position doesn’t require past experience with handling or growing cannabis or even working in a dispensary. It is a great avenue for entry-level candidates who want to grow within the industry to get their foot in the door.
How can candidates stand out to get an appointment?
After receiving hundreds of applications, we realized there was no way we could interview every applicant. Outside of those with experience working at a dispensary, the ones who really caught our eyes were the applicants who included a thoughtful cover letter and followed up after submitting their applications. Those who let us know why they want to work for our company, their experience with cannabis and the retail environment, and why they believe they will be successful in a particular role really stick out when choosing who to schedule interviews with.
What skills / professional knowledge are required to succeed?
Outside of compliance and having a profitable business, our priority is ensuring a great customer experience in our stores. We care less about the knowledge a new candidate has, and more about the type of person they are. We look for people who are friendly, outgoing, easy to talk to and have a passion and willingness to learn and grow. Anybody can learn about cannabis laws, dosing, and the products we offer, but not everyone is cut out for a high-paced retail environment.
From experts' comments, it can be concluded that the most popular vacancies in the industry today are work in retail facilities (budtenders, dispensary agents, etc.) as well as manufacturing and testing jobs. More traditional forms of employment, such as cultivation and processing are also among the leaders. When applying for a job, do not forget to add a cover letter to your application. This will greatly increase your chances to get your wished-for position. Special education and past experience in the related fields will be your advantage. A perfect candidate should always be prepared, have a desire to learn, and know the history of the industry and venture, he applies to. He is a real cannabis enthusiast, passionate about what he's doing. If you recognize yourself in this description, do not waste your time and join the prospective marijuana industry already now!