Have a Table at a Cannabis Job Fair? Here are some tips consider

As hiring and retaining quality employees becomes more challenging in the United States, employers are getting more creative with their recruitment strategies. The cannabis industry, in particular, is struggling to find enough workers to fill all the new positions created as more states legalize marijuana.

One solution that many cannabis companies are turning to is attending a hiring event. These events can be an effective way to meet a large number of potential employees in a short period of time and get a sense of who might be a good fit for your company.

However, attending a hiring event is not as simple as just showing up and starting to interview people. You need to do a few things in advance to ensure the event is successful for your company. Here are a few tips for employers planning to attend a cannabis job fair.

Understand Who Will Be Attending

The first step is managing your expectations of who will attend the event. It will help you determine what positions you should be looking to fill and what questions to ask potential employees. Attendees will vary depending on the type of event, but some common types of attendees are:

• Students or recent graduates who are looking for their first job experience
• Experienced professionals who are looking to make a change
• People with no experience who are interested in working in the cannabis industry

As an employer, you need to be clear about what qualifications you are looking for in a potential employee. This will help you 'weed' out any attendees who are not a good fit for your company. By targeting your recruitment efforts, you will waste less time interviewing people who are not right for the job.

Make Your Company Stand Out

With so many employers attending the event, you must make sure your business stands out. This starts with your table set-up. You should have a clean, professional-looking space marked with your company's name and logo. Branding materials, such as t-shirts, hats, or stickers, are also an excellent way to make your company more visible.

In addition to your physical space, you also need to embody the culture and values of your company. Be friendly and welcoming to everyone who comes to your table. This is their first impression of your company, so you want to make sure it is a good one!

Prepare Your Questions

You will likely only have a few minutes to talk to each person, so making the most of your time is important. Prepare a list of questions that will help you get to know the person and gauge their qualifications. In addition to traditional interview questions, you may also want to ask some informal questions about their interests or what they know about the cannabis industry.

Some good questions when looking for cannabis industry employees are:

• What area of the cannabis industry are you most interested in? (flowers, extracts, edibles?)
• What made you decide to attend this job fair?
• Why are you interested in working in the cannabis industry?
• What are your qualifications for the position you're applying for?

Since your time with each candidate is limited, be prepared to cut off an answer that's too long or skip over questions that don't seem relevant.

Demonstrate Your Knowledge

To make a good impression on potential employees, you must show that you know about the cannabis industry. This means being up-to-date on the latest news and trends and having a good understanding of the various roles within the industry. Depending on which sector of the cannabis industry you are in, you may also need to show off your company's innovative technology.

For example, if you are a cannabis dispensary, mention your point-of-sale system, product tracking software, and other unique features that set you apart from other dispensaries. Growers should be prepared to discuss their cultivation methods, nutrient regiment, and grow room set-up.

Begin Onboarding Early

If you can manage to pique the interest of a potential employee at the job fair, don't wait to start the onboarding process. You should make it easy for them to get in touch with you and schedule an interview. Have a laptop or tablet set up at your table so potential employees can fill out an application or sign up for an email newsletter.

The next step is to follow up with them after the job fair. Send the lucky candidates an email or give them a call to say thank you for their interest and set up an interview. By being prompt and organized, you will show that your company is professional and that you are serious about finding the best employees.

Conclusion

With these tips, you will be on your way to hosting a successful cannabis job fair. Keep in mind that first impressions are important, so make sure your company is well-represented.