That means cannabis business owners have to vet talent from other “related” industries. But what are those exactly?

And even more importantly, what are the skills cannabis companies seek in their prospective employees?

Top Skills Cannabis Companies Seek

As the industry grows and matures, there is always a need for legal professionals, accounting specialists, and marketing experts. The abilities, experience, and education connected with these transfer to the vast majority of industries.

The cannabis industry is no exception.

But when it comes to bare bone skills cannabis companies seek, the ability to make decisions is a big one. In order to take advantage of new opportunities, marijuana business employees must be able to make quick and confident decisions.

Adaptability and flexibility also sit high on the list. The cannabis industry is ever-changing. So it’s crucial to be able to take a look at failures and pivot appropriately in order to succeed. Cannabis leaders are seeking folks who thrive under pressure and demonstrate creative problem-solving skills.

Finally, there’s the need to be a team-player. Yes, performing as part of a team is key in most industries. But the cannabis industry is a huge collection of different kinds of businesses growing and evolving. Those in it must be able to cooperate and collaborate, while listening and being accountable to one another.

The Most Desirable Industries

So as we mentioned above, with the cannabis industry still in its infancy, most cannabis companies have to rely on employees with experience in other industries.

What are the most logical industries that carry over to the cannabis industry?

1. Agriculture

It makes perfect sense that cannabis industry leaders are interested in those who have a background in agriculture. After all, cannabis cultivation isn’t really all that different from commercial agriculture.

They use similar technology, processes, and methods. So the transition from commercial agriculture to cannabis cultivation is an easy one.

2. Retail/Hospitality

Given the popularity of marijuana, dispensaries are often fast-paced environments that require customer service-oriented individuals to keep things running smoothly.

Those who have experience in hospitality and retail are logical candidates for making the leap over to the cannabis industry.

3. Food and Beverage

Much like the cannabis industry, the food and beverage sectors are also regulated. So it’s only natural that professionals have begun to migrate from these sectors to the world of cannabis. Some of the more established professionals are even exploring cannabis-infused products on their own.

4. Pharmaceutical

Speaking of regulated industries, those who come from the pharmaceutical industry are well acquainted with adhering to strict rules and policies. They know the ins and outs of compliance and how to succeed in that context. As such, cannabis companies often seek candidates with experience in pharmaceuticals.

Interested in Working in the Industry?

If you’re looking for a change, there’s such a multitude of opportunities in the cannabis industry. There’s no time like the present to break in.

Now that you know the skills cannabis companies seek, you’re already ahead of the game. So go for it!

And if you’re a cannabis business owner and in need of better marketing and public relations, contact us today. We’re no newbies to the industry and know the tricks of the trade to get you noticed.

The post Skills Cannabis Companies Seek appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

In fact, the legal cannabis industry in the United States has already created more than 211,000 full-time jobs across the country.

But it being such a new industry, in tandem with the nature of the product, there is some misunderstanding about how one should interview for a cannabis job.

As such, mistakes in interviewing for cannabis jobs have become pretty common place.

Yep. It turns out that selling weed in high school or college doesn’t exactly qualify you for a full-time gig in the cannabis industry.

Common Mistakes in Interviewing for Cannabis Jobs

If you’re considering applying for a job with a cannabis company, it’s important that you understand how much more competitive the industry is than it was in the past.

Yet, many candidates still don’t get this.

So just in case you’re thinking about interviewing for a cannabis job, we’ll take a look at three of the most common mistakes NOT to make – and what you should do instead.

1. Believing Your Love for Pot Will Land You the Job

It won’t.

Of course, having passion for the product will certainly help. Particularly if you’re planning to go into sales.

But the cannabis industry is no longer in its absolute infancy. And there are now plenty of people – CAPABLE people – who have the skill set required to fill open positions.

In other words, you can’t simply walk in and say, “Hey. I’ve never really worked in security before, but I’m hungry to get into the cannabis industry. So whadya say?” It might have worked five years ago, but it isn’t gonna fly today.

When going into an interview, be prepared to discuss the skills you have that make you uniquely qualified to work in the industry. And be willing to go beyond your job description.

There are still a lot of startups and new companies in the cannabis space that have flexibility. So if you’re someone who’s able to wear a lot of hats and remain enthusiastic, that could weigh pretty heavily.

It’s certainly going to carry more weight than simply expressing how much you love marijuana.

2. Assuming You Will Be Using the Product While at Work

“So, what’s your smoking policy?” Interestingly enough, CEOs of cannabis businesses are no strangers to this question during interviews.

The only thing that could make this question worse is if you added a “dude” to the end of it. So if you’re applying for a cannabis job, do NOT ask it.

When it comes to substance use – be it weed, alcohol, or any other mind-altering substance – the same rules apply in the cannabis industry as in any other. Employers expect their employees to have clear heads. So unless you need marijuana for medical reasons, don’t plan on smoking down all day.

But while you’re crossing that question off the list, there are others you might want to add.

In fact, since a slew of cannabis companies have complex business models, job coaches recommend that you come to the interview armed with questions. Intelligent questions.

For instance, ask the interviewer where in the supply chain the company is involved. (They may even be involved in multiple sides of it.) And given that the industry faces restrictions that others don’t, ask about their marketing strategies and what they’re doing to build brand awareness. Things like that.

Of course, the nature of your questions will depend to some extent on the position for which you’re applying. But any questions that demonstrate your curiosity while showcasing your skill set are going to be far more effective than asking about the smoking policy. Seriously.

3. Thinking Your Charm Is a Substitute for Being Prepared

Again, you’re interviewing for a job. And just as in any other industry, these are legitimate companies that are willing to pay you for services rendered.

Yet, a surprising number of candidates show up to cannabis company interviews late, unprepared, and even without a resumé. Rather than treating the interview with the seriousness it deserves, they act like they’re planning to chill out with Cheech and Chong.

If you have any inkling that you can swing in and dazzle the interviewer with just your smile and some knowledge of weed, you need to rethink that strategy. You’re not interviewing a new set of friends.

So along with the questions we mentioned above, be sure you have a resumé and a professional attitude.

Even if you don’t yet have much you can add to your resumé, remember that there is still flexibility in the industry. Showing that you’re eager to learn and capable of getting up to speed quickly will score you points.

Another thing that will score you points is keeping up with industry data. Research the status of legalization laws and regulations in your state. And avoid the words “pot” and “weed”.

Finally, attending trade shows and educational conferences is an effective way to show your genuine interest and commitment to learning. They’re also the perfect place to make contacts and network. The more good impressions you make, the better.

Get the Job You Deserve

That’s really it in a nutshell.

If you show up for the interview with a resumé, a professional attitude and pertinent questions, you’re much more likely to earn the position you seek.

But if you arrive to the interview wearing tie-dye, acting like a Deadhead stoner, and making the above mistakes in interviewing for cannabis jobs, you’re more likely to get a job flipping burgers. And even THAT’S a maybe.

Are you a cannabis business looking for great employees? It starts with building a great name for yourself. Contact us today to talk about your public relations and marketing needs. Then we’ll go from there.

The post 3 BIG Mistakes in Interviewing for Cannabis Jobs appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

Owner of Greenhouse Jerry Millen has made it his goal to break the stigma surrounding marijuana dispensaries and he’s interested in hiring budtenders, team leaders, receptionists and an intake person.

Millen said he’s currently looking for six to eight budtenders. Interested applicants should have cannabis experience and/or customer service experience but will receive on-the-job training from manufacturers and cannabis professionals.

Budtenders are responsible for interacting with customers face to face, recommending products, and explaining the difference between strains. The average budtender starts at 13 dollars an hour but depending on experience their pay could be higher.

Millen is also looking for a couple of team leaders. A team leader oversees the running of budtenders on a day to day basis. They must have a large amount of cannabis knowledge as well as experience in the industry. The average team leader makes about 50k a year.

As for an intake person, Millen said he doesn’t currently know what the average pay is, but he would negotiate with interested parties and conclude an amount depending on experience. The intake person would oversee inventory within the dispensary.

Outside of working with the product itself, Millen is looking for two to three receptionists as well. Receptionists at Greenhouse don’t need cannabis experience but will gain experience on the job. Receptionists start at 10 plus dollars an hour depending on experience, and with hard work, they can possibly move up at Greenhouse to become a budtender.

People interested in becoming a budtender, team leader, receptionist or intake person at Greenhouse of Walled Lake can apply on their website at https://greenhousewalledlake.com/applynow/.

Applicants can also email resumes, certifications and cover letters to info@greenhouseofwalledlake.com.

The post Apply Now at Greenhouse of Walled Lake appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

Williams reported that by 2021, BDS Analytics is estimating  U.S. employment within the cannabis industry will more than double to 292,000 people. He said this is roughly a 25 percent compound annual growth rate in American cannabis related jobs, which is surprising considering marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I substance.

The United States isn’t the only country planning to increase jobs in the cannabis industry. Williams said he expects Canada to become the new marijuana job mecca.  He said Canada legalized medical marijuana in 2001 and is currently in the process of reviewing legislature that would legalize recreational marijuana use by August 2018. He predicts Canada may become the first developed country in the world to support adult-use of marijuana.

Todd Campbell of The Motley Fool said if you’re looking to invest in a marijuana stock, a Canadian company named Canopy Growth may be in a perfect position to gain profit from legalizing marijuana.  Canopy Growth contributes to 30 percent of the countries medical marijuana market and Campbell believes if Canada’s plans are a success, investments in production should allow the company to reward investors with significant growth.

The Founder and CEO of Cannabis At Work Alison McMahon said she approximates 150,000 jobs are expected to be added to Canada’s cannabis industry over the next couple of years.

The post The U.S. and Canada Plan to Increase Amount of Marijuana-Related Jobs appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.