How to Find Weed Trimming Jobs for the Fall

Before cannabis legalization took hold across the country,  seasonal cannabis farm laborers, also known as “trimmigrants,” would make the trek out to the Emerald Triangle in California during harvest season in the fall to find temporary cannabis trimmer jobs.

Nowadays, legal weed farms have all but replaced trimmigrant work for more state-regulated employment all year long. No matter the season, our cannabis job guide can show you how to find weed trimming jobs throughout the year.

What Are the Responsibilities for Weed Trimming Jobs?

As a cannabis trimmer, you need to know how to trim cannabis. You will be in charge of harvesting mature flower buds and preparing them for sale. While wearing gloves, you will be removing the leaves using sanitized sharp shears, weighing the product, packaging, and labeling the flower quickly and precisely.

Cannabis cultivation jobs are not just available in the fall anymore. Legalization and indoor cultivation have allowed licensed growers to produce cannabis year-round. Now, you can find cannabis industry jobs throughout the year.

How Much Do Cannabis Trimmers Get Paid?

As an entry-level position, cannabis trimmers get paid between $12 and $15 per hour. Pay depends on experience and skills. In some cases, cultivation facilities pay bud trimmers based on how many pounds of weed they trimmed during the day.

What Are the Qualifications to Become a Cannabis Trimmer?

Before you go out looking for weed trimming jobs, consider the most common qualifications required to become a cannabis trimmer:

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must pass a background check and have no disqualifying offenses (vary by state)
• High school diploma or GED (preferred)
• Previous experience trimming cannabis (preferred)
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must be reliable and punctual
• Must obtain a cannabis worker's permit (if state regulations require it)

Do you Need Cannabis Certification to Become a Bud Trimmer?

Industry certification such as cannabis certification from CTU is not required to work in the cannabis industry. However, having industry certification from a renowned training institute can teach you how to find weed trimming jobs during any season. Understanding the anatomy of the flower bud and the basics of cannabis cultivation can set you apart from other applicants.

How to Gain Job Experience and Skills

As an entry-level position, the bud trimmer job does not require extensive experience trimming cannabis or working in cultivation or the cannabis industry. However, direct experience in the industry is preferred.

If you do not have any direct experience working with cannabis or trimming weed, don't worry. There are many different avenues outside of the cannabis industry where you can earn many of the hard, soft, and transferable skills needed to excel as a weed trimmer.

Basic skills you will need to become a trimmer include:

• Organization
• Cleanliness
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work with your hands
• Ability to perform repetitive hand movements
• Ability to weigh accurately
• Ability to sit, stand and remain focused for long periods of time

If you want to have the best chance of getting hired as a marijuana trimmer, working on a farm, greenhouse, or any other environment that requires the skills listed above is a good start. In addition, understanding the structure of a cannabis flower bud can help.

Where to Find Work

Back in the day, you would find work trimming cannabis through word of mouth or making the journey toward in the fall to hubs that grow marijuana. Nowadays, finding a cannabis trimming job is as easy as searching “weed trimming jobs near me” or “bud trimmer jobs near me.”

• Online job boards: Popular job boards such as Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, Simply Hired, and Craigslist are great resources for finding work in cannabis cultivation. Just make sure to check daily or set an alert to get your resume in early.
• Cannabis-specific job boards: With the rise of legalization, there has been an increase in job boards dedicated to the cannabis industry. Check out job ads on Ganjapreneur, BloomTHC, and 420Careers, among others.
• Recruiting agencies: Recruiting and placement agencies such as Viridian Staffing, Ms. Mary Staffing, and The Marijuana Job Board can line up job seekers with compatible weed jobs in cultivation, retail, or manufacturing segments.
• Social media: Cannabis companies often post their job opportunities through social media networks such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. If they're not currently hiring, you can directly message them and engage with their posts.
• Email: Send an email to the cannabis cultivation company you want to apply to. With a snappy subject line, you can reach out and let them know you're looking for a job. Make sure to include your skills and experience along with your resume in the brief message.
• Networking: Attend local industry events to get to know local business owners who may be hiring. If the company is vertically integrated, you can network at their dispensary and inquire if they have marijuana industry jobs available in their cultivation facility.

How to Apply for Weed Trimming Jobs

Once you narrow down the company you want to apply to or the job ad you want to respond to, it's time to get your trimming application ready. Knowing how to create a solid resume and cover letter can land you the interview where you can impress the interviewer in person.

Resume

A resume showcases your best attributes, work experience, and skills that can help you succeed as a bud trimmer.

Here are a few tips to make your resume stand out:

• Keep your resume under one page
• Proofread your resume for grammatical or spelling errors
• Save your resume as a Word document and PDF since each company may have a different preference
• Add your name and contact information at the top of the page

For more information, check out our blog post on how to create a resume for the cannabis industry.

Cover Letter

A cover letter should be brief and cover your relevant work history and skills that will make you the best for the position. Make sure to scan the job ad and use language directly from it to show you have the necessary skills.

A cover letter should include a heading with your contact information and a body where you describe why you are the best for the trimming job. Most people will not send in a cover letter, so if you do, you will be one step ahead of the competition.

Check out our blog post on how to create a cover letter for the cannabis industry for more information.

Interview

If your cover letter and resume impressed the hiring manager, you will be called in for an interview. Here are a few tips to consider to get the job:

• Arrive at least 10 minutes early
• While you will be working in a cultivation facility, dress nicer than the position requires during the interview
• Prepare a few questions to ask the employer
• Have ready a few concrete examples of your skills that will help you while trimming

Enroll in Cannabis Training University

If you want to learn how to find weed trimming jobs, enrollment in CTU can help. CTU’s cannabis courses provides students of all skill levels with the knowledge they need to succeed in the cannabis industry. Learn how to trim marijuana and how to get a job trimming weed, all with CTU’s online cannabis college.