Explained: What Job History Do First-Time Budtenders Need?
Are you considering a career as a budtender? Being a budtender is one of the most exciting and rewarding jobs in the medical marijuana and adult-use cannabis industry — no two days are alike! But what job history do first-time budtenders need?
In this post, we’ll explore the transferable skills, tips for your resume/cover letter, and interview advice that budtenders need for success in the cannabis industry.
Looking for more information, check out the guide to becoming a budtender in 2023.
Transferable skills for first-time budtenders
Budtenders must be knowledgeable in a number of subjects, such as cannabis products, consumption methods, and the workings of a cannabis dispensary. You may choose to further your experience in these areas to improve your overall job performance, or you may use them in other roles later on.
However, it’s best to have some level of experience in these skills before applying to jobs to ensure you can hit the ground running.
Here are some of the most important transferable skills for first-time budtenders to have:
Customer service: Budtenders must be able to deliver excellent customer service with a smile. Dispensaries value customer experience and hold good budtender to high standards.
Cash handling and point of sale (POS): Budtenders should have experience handling cash, credit cards, and other forms of payment. They should also be comfortable using POS systems to process transactions.
Sales: Budtenders must be able to upsell products in a way that is beneficial for customers as well as the business. They should also be able to effectively promote new products, specials, and promotions.
Communication skills: Because it’s a customer-facing job, budtenders should have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. This includes being able to effectively explain product details and answer customer questions in a friendly and professional manner.
Attention to detail: Budtenders must be able to pay close attention to detail and accurately process orders with minimal errors. They should also be able to follow instructions correctly and ensure that customers receive the correct products in a timely manner.
Knowledge of cannabis: Although it is preferred that budtenders have some prior cannabis product knowledge, this is not always required for first-time applicants. However, it’s easy to research things like edibles, CBD, THC, terpenes, and tinctures online or even earn a budtender certification to truly stand out.
What Job History Do First-Time Budtenders Need?
Just because you don’t have experience in the newly legal cannabis industry, doesn’t mean you don’t have a solid resume to land a cannabis job.
Prior work experience can range anywhere from the illicit market to working at a grocery store and still be highly valuable at a cannabis job.
Here are some examples of job types that stand out to dispensary owners when you apply for a budtender job:
Illicit market experience: Have you worked with cannabis before it was legal? This experience is valuable for entry-level cannabis roles! If you’ve faced a previous marijuana conviction, you’re no different from thousands already capitalizing on legal cannabis. Remember, many dispensaries require a background check so be upfront about any previous convictions.
Retail experience: Any retail job will teach you skills that transfer to cannabis retail. While working in a dispensary is quite different from any other job, it still involves the basics of retail, like sales, people skills, and time management.
Cultivation experience: If you’ve worked a job that involves being a planter or grower, you already understand the basics of cultivation and can apply those insights to cannbis. You’ll be able to offer a deeper understanding of plants than other budtender applicants.
Management/leadership experience: Managing people is similar across all industries. In cannabis, you can use your managerial expertise to lead a team and successfully meet compliance and operational standards.
How to highlight relevant experience on your resume and cover letter
When applying for a budtender job, it’s important to make sure your resume and cover letter highlight your relevant experience and fit within the posted budtender job description.
Tips for tailoring your application materials:
Tailoring your resume to highlight transferable skills: Focus on the skills and experiences that are relevant to the budtender position. This can include customer service experience, cash handling experience, sales experience, communication skills, and attention to detail.
Using concrete examples to demonstrate relevant experience: When possible, provide concrete examples of your experience to show employers how you’ve used these skills in the past.
Addressing potential concerns about lack of cannabis experience: If you don’t have any cannabis-related experience, address this on your resume or in your cover letter. Demonstrate that you are willing and eager to learn about the industry and adapt quickly to new procedures.
Tips for acing your budtender interview
The key to acing your budtender interview is to demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm needed for the job.
Tips for making a great impression:
Research the dispensary: Before your interview, do your research on the dispensary where you’re applying. Read up on their products, mission, and values. This will show the interviewer that you have a genuine interest in the role.
Dress professionally: Make sure to dress professionally for your interview. A neat and polished appearance can go a long way toward making a good impression.
Be knowledgeable about cannabis laws and regulations: Show that you are aware of all relevant laws and regulations concerning cannabis in your state or city.
Practice active listening: Active listening is key to demonstrating that you are a good communicator. Make sure to stay focused throughout the interview, take notes as needed, and ask questions when appropriate.
Highlight your customer service skills: Dispensaries rely on their budtenders to provide excellent customer service, so make sure to highlight any previous experience you have in this area.
Be enthusiastic and personable: Make sure to show that you are excited about the job and eager to learn more. Being personable and friendly will help set you apart from other applicants.
With dedication, good communication skills, and a little bit of research, you can ace your budtender interview and land the job.
Online budtender certification training, made easy
THC University’s Budtender Basics Certification is an affordable, online option for those interested in getting their first budtender job. The course covers everything from dosing to product categories and will give you a leg up on the competition when applying for jobs.
THC University is recognized as the best foundational cannabis program for those early in their cannabis careers. Our 10 courses in the all-access bundle help students quickly get up to speed on “industry speak.” Graduates can use their knowledge immediately in their job search or throughout their careers.