Indispensable Skills to Look for When Hiring a Budtender
Once again, the cannabis industry is the most powerful job creator in America. And budtenders are one of the most in-demand positions in the cannabis industry.
They are the face of the dispensary, and their knowledge and skills can make or break a business. Few things are more important than a great budtender. A good budtender is a major asset, but a bad hire wastes time, money, and resources. So, what qualities should you look for when hiring a budtender? Keep reading to discover what you need in a cannabis superstar!
(Psst...looking to get hired as a budtender? This info will help you too.)
Top Ten Traits Every Budtender Should Have
There's a set of skills and qualities essential for every great budtender. They include:
- Cannabis product knowledge
- A passion for cannabis
- Customer service skills
- Salesmanship
- People skills
- Multitasking ability
- Attention to detail
- Computer literacy
- Willingness to learn
- Ability to work under pressure
Let's look at each of these in more detail.
Cannabis Product Knowledge
This one is a no-brainer. The first and most essential trait to look for in a potential budtender is extensive cannabis knowledge. A budtender needs in-depth knowledge of cannabis's effects on the human body.
They must speak confidently about various strains, products, and the effects of each. For example, a budtender should be familiar with the following:
- Indica's
- Sativa's
- Hybrids
- CBD
- THC
- Edibles
- Topicals
- Concentrates
A budtender must also thoroughly understand the specific cannabis products in your dispensary. This is where a good training program comes in.
Your budtenders are the first point of contact with your customers. Prepare them to confidently explain how the different products work and answer customer questions.
A Passion for Cannabis
The best budtenders are passionate about cannabis and excited to share their knowledge. They're always learning more about cannabis and are up-to-date on the latest industry news. You'll hear in their voice (and see in their eyes) how much they love cannabis when they speak about it.
Why is passion important? Budtenders passionate about cannabis go above and beyond to provide an excellent customer experience. They'll be patient with customers and take the time to find the perfect cannabis product for their needs.
Customer Service Skills
Since a budtender is the first impression of your dispensary for many customers, they must have excellent customer service skills. A budtender's job is to help customers find the right cannabis product for their needs.
They should be:
- Friendly
- A good listener
- Helpful
- Patient
A budtender should also handle difficult customer service situations with understanding and professionalism.
Salesmanship
A budtender needs to sell cannabis products. They should be able to confidently recommend products to customers and answer any questions they have.
A great budtender can close sales and meet quotas; they're goal-oriented. They can upsell products and services without being pushy or aggressive.
People Skills
Cannabis is a people business, so your budtenders must have excellent people skills. Building rapport with customers, resolving conflicts, and defusing difficult situations included.
We mentioned it in the customer service section, but part of people skills is being a good listener too. It's only through listening and asking questions that the budtender will understand the needs of their customers.
Another part of people skills is being a good team player, working well, and cooperating with other employees.
Multitasking Ability
A budtender needs to multitask. They should handle multiple customers at once, answer phone calls, and process transactions quickly and efficiently.
Attention to Detail
A budtender should have a keen eye for detail. It helps spot any errors in cannabis products and packaging that may come up. That way, they can catch mistakes before they become a problem.
Computer Literacy
A person working in a dispensary needs to be proficient in using a computer. Entering data quickly and accurately helps keep your business running smoothly.
Familiarity with cannabis software programs and systems is a bonus!
Willingness to Learn
The cannabis industry is changing and growing. A budtender should never stop learning. They should keep learning new things about cannabis, and the cannabis industry, while improving their customer service skills.
Ability to Work Under Pressure
A budtender often needs to work under pressure. They should handle difficult customers and situations without losing their cool.
Next Steps
While finding the perfect candidate for the job, keep these traits in mind!
Having a great team of budtenders will make all the difference in your cannabis dispensary. Not only will they provide fantastic customer service, but they'll also help increase sales and profits.
Ready to build your dispensary dream team? We have prescreened candidates waiting. Get started today!
