This is a guest post from Tommy Truong, CEO of KayaPush.
The best part about a budtender’s job is that it offers a mix of retail, customer service, technical skills, and a love of the plant. Although working as a budtender is a popular choice these days, many still lack the skills or experience required to land such a coveted role. But fear not; if you follow these 5 tips, you are sure to land your dream job as a budtender.
What Does a Budtender Do?
A budtender is an employee at a marijuana dispensary who helps customers choose the best cannabis products for their needs.
In addition to being knowledgeable about the different strains, plants, and compounds, a budtender should also be an advocate to help their customers understand how to use cannabis products safely, responsibly, and for different needs and use cases.
Another critical part of the role is to understand compliance regulations, as in who can purchase the plant and in what quantities – and finally a budtender should also help manage the store from an operations perspective.
Some of the roles of a budtender’s job include:
- Assisting customers with their purchasing decisions
- Answering questions about the product
- Providing recommendations
- Helping ensure that the customer understands the product they are purchasing.
- Stocking, packaging and handling product
- Manage the POS and cash systems
- Measuring inventory and other metrics
Most budtender job descriptions also involve telling consumers about products which may include:
- What the product is
- How it was grown or made
- Where it came from and other related information
- Product effects
- Recommend usage and dosage
Budtenders can also recommend products based on what customers have told them they like or dislike about particular products or brands. Now that you know what a budtender does, and what skills you need to have on the job – let’s dig into what skill you will need to land your dream job:
Five Tips for Landing Your Dream Budtender Job:
- Get passionate about cannabis
- Network
- Have a good resume and any needed certificates
- Prepare for the interview
- Consider volunteering
Want to learn more about each point on the list? Let’s dig in.
1. Get passionate about cannabis
Unless you live in Canada, you don’t need special training or certification to become a budtender in most states. The most important skill is your passion and an interest in helping others make informed decisions about their purchases. The more you know about the plant, the more you’ll be able to answer questions.
You can start by researching what makes a good budtender. Learn all aspects of the business — especially its legal side. You should also know how different strains affect various people differently. This includes the science behind why certain strains are better than others.
As a budtender, you’ll also need to be able to provide information on the products themselves: their effects, dosages, and side effects.
2. Networking is key to a budtender job
Networking is a vital skill, whether you’re trying to land your first cannabis job as a budtender or just looking for new opportunities.
By connecting with people in your industry, you can expand your network and meet new folks who could be a great fit for your desired job.
There are many ways to network and meet people. Some ways include:
- Join a cannabis club. These local groups promote cannabis culture and education through events, educational forums and social gatherings.
- Attend an industry networking event such as the Cannabis Career Fair, usually held in May or June each year in different cities across the country.
- Attend local cannabis business expos where you can meet others looking for budtender or other positions in the industry.
3. Have an impressive resume and certifications
A well-written resume is essential to landing your first budtender job. It should be brimming with details about your education, experience, and skills that help you stand out from the competition.
Here are some tips for putting together an impressive resume for a budtender job:
- Make sure it’s easy to read. Use a font size that’s big enough for people to read. Don’t use small fonts or italics, as these can be hard to read on the screen of a mobile device.
- Keep it short and sweet. Your resume should be no longer than two pages, including all of the contact information at the bottom of each page. It should be easy for hiring managers to scan through quickly.
- Include specific examples of your skills and accomplishments in areas relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- Ensure you have any required budtender certifications. The requirements vary depending on the state and provincial guidelines, so double-check before applying.
- Always have your background and reference in order to investigate the legal requirements for working as a budtender in the state or province you are applying. This will ensure that you and your employer won’t be surprised.
Social media channels like Facebook and Instagram can help you boost your credibility by publicly showcasing your accomplishments. These platforms are also excellent places to showcase photos of yourself interacting with customers at cannabis events.
4. Nail the interview by being confident and enthusiastic
The best way to get hired as a budtender is to be a bubbly, confident person who can talk with anyone. Make sure you have a good understanding of the cannabis industry but don’t go crazy trying to impress your interviewer.
Be confident in your answers, but not arrogant. Explain why the position is a good fit for your goals — don’t just brag about all your qualifications.
Here are other tips to prepare you for a budtender interview questions you need to ask.
Look at the job description
Read it through and make sure you understand what it’s looking for. If possible, read through it multiple times so you can answer any questions about it during your interview.
Be prepared with questions for the interviewer
It doesn’t hurt to have a few questions in mind. If there are any parts of the job description where you have conflicting information, ask about that now so you can address it before accepting the position.
Don’t forget that enthusiasm is key
However, you want to sound like someone who has nothing to lose and is not too desperate but also has a lot to gain if they get the job.
5. Get your foot in the door by volunteering
You might not be able to get the budtender job you want immediately, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait for it. Volunteering is a smart way to gain experience as a budtender. Many companies hire people through their internship program, which requires you to have experience or training beforehand.
Volunteering also builds up your resume. It shows potential employers that you have experience and skills relevant to their needs.
If you volunteer with a local dispensary and learn something new, mention it in your cover letter. This helps build your resume and makes employers more likely to give you a chance.
In addition to being able to help customers with their needs, budtenders are often asked by growers and manufacturers for advice on how they can improve their products or services.
The longer you have worked in the industry, the more experience you have with various aspects of production and sales. Volunteering can build your knowledge, making you a valuable employee for any cannabis business.
Final Thought on How to Land Your Dream Budtender Job
The budtender jobs market is expected to keep growing in size and scalability. As marijuana becomes increasingly legalized and attitudes towards it become more relaxed, the need for budtenders will only increase. To stand out from the crowd:
- Go above and beyond on every job application.
- Treat every potential employer with respect and professionalism.
- Ask about any open training classes or opportunities to volunteer at their dispensary, as those can also help you build valuable experience.
Best of luck on your quest to land your dream budtender job – we know you got this!
Author Tommy Truong is the CEO at KayaPush, the cannabis software helping dispensary owners manage their employee HR, scheduling, and payroll. KayaPush also integrates with leading dispensary POS systems. Tommy loves hot sauce, fried chicken, and running with his Boston terriers.
