So you want to work in a dispensary…

One hundred and ninety-two dispensaries have been awarded licenses in Missouri and most likely job seekers like you have started to see that some are hiring. Social media posts asking, “How do I get a job in the industry?” are becoming more common as operators start posting roles and posting signs on their buildings.  At the this of publication, 9 dispensaries have passed commencement, three have sold products, which means the other four are likely on the cusp of opening their doors. The other 185 are in various stages, some may be breaking ground, building walls, or installing their cameras, or waiting on product.

Don’t worry if you haven’t found the opportunity you are looking for, the next year should present several options. So, what do you need to do now to get ready to land your dream job? That same job at least a thousand others want? Here are some tips to make sure you are prepared when those job opportunities become available.

Professional Development

Dispensaries are looking for employees who have invested time in their professional development. Adding some reputable Cannabis-specific education and training can add to the appeal of your resume and possibly help get a second look. There are hundreds of courses online that come with very official certificates, so make sure and do your research. Consider applying to a higher education program like the one that was recently launched at Saint Louis University. SLU isn’t the only university offering Cannabis education, but it is popular in accredited university programs here in the Show-Me State. Just remember that these certificates and classes only get you so far. Experiencing the plant in terms of anatomy, smell, and learning about the effects of different types is a great way to learn hands-on about the plant. Sure, you can be certified with a fancy title like “Terp Expert,” but to truly be one you need to smell and taste a lot of flower and learn about the plants’ characteristics. Can’t experience the plant because you are not a medical card holder? Take the time to do some exploration and see who you have in your network that is connected to the industry or a home grower – people who grow flower legally are happy to share their knowledge and the more you know, the greater your credibility when talking to prospective employers.

Resume & Portfolio

Creating a resume is often our least favorite part of the job hunt, and many people struggle to highlight their accomplishments favorably – but it has to be done. And no, the resume you used to apply for your last position will not work. Resumes should show how the skills and background  and passion you possess can specifically benefit the Cannabis company you’re hoping to join, as well as the specific position you are applying for. Most Missourians don’t have legal Cannabis-related experience in a dispensary, so your resume is an opportunity to show how your previous roles have prepared you. Highlight your skills in compliance, customer service, teamwork, and flexibility. Don’t highlight if you have experience illegally growing or how smart you’ve become as a decades long stoner.  It’s possible to share your knowledge of the plant without saying you’ve been an illicit Cannabis user for years and the value in a background in other industries where your performance objectives were driven by providing excellence in customer service or working in regulated industries can be more valuable than being able to visually identify indica versus sativa on sight.

You may not get the opportunity to hand-deliver your resume, but when you arrive at the interview impress them with a special touch by printing both your copy and theirs on hemp paper. Create an online or hard copy portfolio to share with them that includes your certificates, accomplishments in other roles, and how you have advocated for Cannabis. Those pictures of you collecting signatures for Amendment II or advocacy for non-profits can go a long way in showing that you can dedicate yourself to worthy causes.

Create a distinct cover letter for each position you are applying for after researching the organization. Your cover letter is where you can include how your values align with theirs, how you can help them meet their mission, and where you can share a bit of your own personal Cannabis story.

Presence and Professionalism

Working in a medical dispensary with a variety of patients will require a professional presence, working in the Cannabis industry doesn’t come with a free pass to create controversy online. Your potential employer likely participates or knows people in the same social media groups as you so be mindful of what you post. Make sure you have a LinkedIn account that you would be proud to have a potential employer review.

Preparing for the Interview

Practice, practice, practice. Have trusted friends or a mentor who is willing to do a mock interview with you who will ask you the hard questions and provide constructive feedback on your responses. It may not sound very fun, but the more you do it, the more comfortable you will be. Most likely you’ll not only get questions related to your knowledge of Cannabis, but you will likely get asked the same kind of questions applicants for a job in any industry would.  What are the things that attract you about the role you’re applying for?  What experience, skills, passion do you possess that make you the best candidate for the role?  Prepare for behavioral scenario questions – you’ll be asked to talk about specific situations when you successfully managed conflict or provided outstanding customer service. Avoid answering the question, “What are your weaknesses” with actual weaknesses. Instead, talk about how you can have managed a weakness in a scenario that you turned into a strength.

Ever experienced that awkward moment when you get in the car after an interview and you automatically think of five questions you wanted to ask? Avoid that by preparing – write down your questions so that when the interviewer provides the opportunity to ask questions, you’re prepared. Taking the time to craft a few questions that allow you to highlight your positive attributes will be an impressive way to wrap up the interview. “How are you practicing sustainability?”  “What services or discounts will you offer to veterans?” or “What do you look for in a cultivator?” will help you project your passion and convey your preparation skills.

Best Practices

There are numerous positions in the industry other than a budtender, so think about your experience, what roles you found the most fulfilling, what tasks you most disliked in former positions and see where you may fit in best. All industries need human resource professionals, accountants, sales teams, and marketing gurus. Cannabis positions can be found on industry association job boards, Staffed Up, Indeed, and more, but many companies share openings on social media, so follow your favorite prospective companies. When you see those positions announced don’t take much time to consider applying; staffing experts say you are more likely to get an interview if you are the twentieth to apply versus the hundredth.

Be prepared to work your way up – this is a new industry for Missouri. If you are looking for a management or purchaser role it will be easier to do this if you have shown the company what you can offer in entry-level, often lower-paying positions, which can be personally fulfilling. From talking to dispensary staff in different legal states, we find so many whose overwhelming response when asked what they like best about working in a dispensary is often “touching the plant and people’s lives is the best benefit of all.”

Know your limits. It may be really exciting to get the opportunity to work in a dispensary but make sure it’s a position that will work for you financially and logistically. Consider only applying to locations within 30 miles or even less from your house and make sure the hours will work for your family. Spending two hours a day driving to and from work and paying a babysitter double because of your hours will make your dream job dreadful fast, and winters in Missouri can wreak havoc on a long commute.

Lastly, when you get the official written offer of employment your employer should assist with getting your agent ID through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which is a requirement for anyone who will be in a licensed Cannabis facility for their work.  Be yourself and focus your efforts on what you are qualified to do and can make a positive impact doing!