How to Get Amazing Jobs in the Weed Industry

If you want to know how to get amazing jobs in the weed industry, our cannabis career guide breaks down the process step-by-step. The cannabis industry has many weed job opportunities in retail, manufacturing, cultivation, testing, and a wide range of ancillary services. Regardless of the type of job you're looking for, there are a few key things you should do to land the job.

Do Your Research

One of the first things you should do if you want to start working in the cannabis industry is to research the different careers in the cannabis industry. Where do you fit in? You could leverage your previous job experience to work in a certain field or start from scratch and work your way up from an entry-level position toward a higher-paying job.

There are many medical marijuanas jobs and jobs in the recreational industry. From marijuana grower jobs to cannabis manufacturing jobs, you can find work in a wide range of job segments. Each has a different average salary and requires different qualifications.

Choosing the right job niche for you is entirely personal. Do you want to work in a physically demanding cultivation job? Do you prefer interacting with customers and building a rapport with them? Are you interested in the science of creating cannabis extracts in a lab?

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can help you choose among the long list of weed careers.

Get a Degree or Certification

As the industry keeps growing, the competition for jobs gets tougher. Nowadays, having a relevant degree or certification puts you leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. For entry-level jobs such as bud trimmer jobs or budtending jobs, a college degree may not be the most important requirement for getting the gig.

However, if you want to have the best chance of standing out from the rest of the applicants, getting certified from a renowned industry training program is very beneficial. Getting certified is very affordable and can pay for itself in the long run after you get the job and start getting paid. Choosing the right cannabis college can impress hiring managers.

For more advanced jobs such as cannabis extraction jobs, cannabis research jobs, or weed tester jobs, a Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, horticulture, or a related science field may be required. In some cases, you may be able to find an entry-level job as a lab assistant simply with a cannabis college certification, but a degree is preferred.

Gain Job Experience

For most marijuana industry jobs, previous job experience is required. While you don't necessarily need experience working directly in the cannabis industry, you do need to have the right transferable skills for the job you're applying to.

For instance, entry-level assistant grower jobs may require experience working in a commercial cultivation facility of any kind.

If you don't have any relevant job experience to get the cannabis employment you are looking for, start looking for work in a position outside of the industry.

For example, if you want to be a budtender, look for jobs in customer service, retail, and hospitality. At least one year of experience in this work can show you can handle the pressure and job responsibilities.

Network for Jobs in the Weed Industry

In today's cannabis industry, it's not just about what you know, but also who you know. Many cannabis industry jobs are filled through word of mouth and recommendations by industry employees.

Before a job ad gets listed, hiring managers may look within the company to try and promote or ask for recommendations of people that would be perfect for the gig.

So, the question is: how do you network with industry employees and business owners? One of the best ways to meet local business leaders is to attend local industry events such as trade shows, festivals, and other meet-ups.

If local industry events are not available, look online for groups or forums of industry employees or those seeking employment.

Don't hesitate to ask a company directly if they are hiring. You can call or go in person to put a face to a name. If you have the right skills and qualifications in place, you can bring in a resume and cover letter for them to keep on file when a job does open up.

Create a Resume and Cover Letter for Jobs in the Weed Industry

Creating a resume and particularly a cover letter can give you a leg up over the competition. Most applicants won't think of including a cover letter. Keep in mind, you must tailor your resume to the specific job you're looking for and the company you're applying to. Don't just copy and paste a resume and send it out to every job application.

Apply for Jobs in the Weed Industry

Now, with a cover letter and resume in hand, you can start applying for marijuana industry jobs. Make sure to check job boards daily or set an alert when a new job gets posted.

Often, hiring managers can receive hundreds of applications within a few hours after posting a job ad. Then, they may stop receiving applications and choose from the pile.

Don't hesitate to follow up on your job application a week after you submit it. Yours may potentially get lost in the pile.

Reaching out to a hiring manager can show your dedication to the industry. Feel free to follow up a second and final time a week after your first follow-up to maximize your chances of getting hired.

Get the Interview

If you're one of the lucky few, you will get called in for a job interview. Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor when at the interview.

Just because you're applying for a job in the cannabis industry doesn't mean that a company will look past ultra-casual attire. Business casual is recommended. You don't need to wear a business suit and a tie.

Make sure to research common interview questions and the basics of the industry, the company, and the job responsibilities. After the interview, follow up by calling or emailing the recruiter. Since the company may be a small business, they may not be completely on top of hiring and onboarding.

Stick With It

It's rare to get the job on the first try but eventually, you will find work in the industry if you are persistent and keep building up your experience and education.

Jobs in the weed industry can start off with an entry-level job and rapidly grow into something bigger. Performing well on the job is a recipe for a promotion when the time comes.

Enroll in Cannabis Training University

If you're ready to join the thousands of other students who have gotten industry certification from the world's most renowned marijuana industry training programs, then enroll in Cannabis Training University today.

Enrolling in Cannabis Training University can help you find jobs in the weed industry such as cannabis extraction jobs, weed tester jobs, marijuana cultivation jobs, MMJ jobs, and many more jobs. Make your 420 job search that much easier with a certification from CTU.