Finding a Cannabis Job

Finding the career you love starts with a job search. Take your time on your research and stay positive. And use our Cannabis Career Exploration page to help focus your search. 

There are also cannabis educational opportunities on our Cannabis Education page to prepare you for a job in cannabis.

Visit one of our Career Centers for assistance with your job search.
 

• Is there a particular part of the cannabis industry that you’re interested in, or where your knowledge or experience applies?
  • Do you want to own a cannabis business?
    • Visit our Cannabis Businesses and Start-ups page.
• Do you want to work for a cannabis company?
  • Visit our Cannabis Career Exploration page to understand the possible roles in the cannabis industry.
  • Focus on positions that you’re interested in and play to your strengths.
    • For example, do you want to work with plants, or manufacture products? Do you want to work in retail directly with cannabis customers?
  • Do you want to work for a larger company, or a small business?
• Do you already have a career you love but want to pivot into cannabis?
  • Check out our Cannabis Career Exploration page to learn more about skills you may already have that are transferrable into the cannabis industry.
  • Visit our Cannabis Education page to learn about cannabis specific educational programs in NY.

• Determine the type of job you’d want, and where you’d like to work.
  • Search on NYSDOL’s Virtual Career Center, other online job posting sites, and individual cannabis company websites for positions.
    • What are the minimum qualifications for positions? Do you meet them?
    • Who’s hiring in your area, or a commutable distance? Is there somewhere you’d consider moving to for a job?

• Showcase your talents and skills to an employer clearly, convincingly, and quickly in your resume, cover letter and other job application materials.
• More on Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications

• Seek out cannabis events
  • Networking is an important part of finding a job in any industry, especially in an emerging industry where the pool of people involved is still small overall.
  • Building an extensive network can be a powerful resource in a job search.
  • We encourage customers to connect with as many people as possible, express your interest in the industry, ask their connections if there are any job openings where they are working, and follow up via sites such as Linkedn or email.
  • Following leaders in this industry is also helpful – they often post about events they’re participating in on Instagram and LinkedIn and many of them are free of charge.
• Learn more about effective networking techniques.
• And download our Job Search and Networking Resource Guide.

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to a particular position.
• Highlight transferrable skills that relate to the cannabis industry.
• Highlight any cannabis experience or knowledge in professional language.
• Use action words and a professional tone in a cover letter and resume.

• Visit our interviewing page for great tips on preparing ahead.
• Practice standard interview questions by using our Interviewing Resource Guide.
• And make sure to utilize the NYSDOL’s free InterviewStream software to practice your interviewing skills and ability to talk about your cannabis experience, knowledge, or interest.

The resume’s primary function is to showcase your talents and skills to an employer - clearly, convincingly and quickly.

• Create an effective resume
• Types of resumes
• Information for your resume
• Build your resume
• Finding the career you love starts with the job search. Take your time on your research and stay positive. Visit one of NYDOL’s career centers for assistance with job search and application assistance.