Elena Prokopets
Claire Briggs Webber, CPRW
If you don’t think you need a cover letter and resume for a budtender position, think again. You can’t just walk into a dispensary and announce your candidacy. Why? Because most medical marijuana dispensaries have become big businesses and run a formal hiring process for hiring new employees. Plus, there are certain compliance regulations they must meet too.
In general, you have to assume that dispensary managers and owners want people on the front lines to know all about marijuana – the types, the various products, the hybrids, the paraphernalia, and more. They also want budtenders who are “people persons” — amicable and helpful, so that customers want to return. After all, the competition is growing out there.
Your resume should provide all the details of your educational background about cannabis, your work experience that relates to marijuana production and/or sales, and any successes you have had in the field of person-to-person sales.
Once you have polished that resume, you are ready to re-focus on your cover letter. Take a look at the budtender cover letter sample below and use it as you “plug in” your own information.
Budtender Cover Letter Example (Word version)
Download cover letter example (.docx)
Budtender Cover Letter Sample (text version)
Dear Sam,
I understand you’re looking for another budtender for MJ Store and I think I would be a great fit. In fact, Jim Jackson, who works for you now, recommended me to apply.
In my attached resume, I list many things I can bring to the table, but here is a more succinct summary of why I’m a good fit for the position.
In 2020, I completed my budtender certification from Cannabis Training University. The specific courses are detailed in my resume. I then worked for a grower in Colorado for three years. He grew Indica, Sativa, and several hybrids which were then sold to dispensaries all over the state.
I have two years of budtending experience at Grassroots and have grown a loyal customer base of 50+ who always come to me when they shop, for any type of bud, edibles, gummies, and more. Also, I was selected to do the product presentation alongside the management at the Grow Tradefest and Business Expo in Lake Ozark, MO last September.
My budtending coursework, my hands-on experience with growing, and my continuing education on new trends and products will bring a good level of expertise to your operations.
I’d love to talk with you about your opening and what I can bring to your business. Give me a call and let’s set up a time.
Sincerely,
Shelly Martin
How to Write a Budtender Cover Letter
The letter above is a solid starting point for your writing. But you are probably wondering how to mimic a similar voice and structure. Below are our tips.
Use Casual Tone
You aren’t applying for a position with a bank. Cannabis is a more casual industry and those who work in it are generally younger and more down-to-earth. Yes, you want a cover letter that presents your unique background and qualifications. But you want the style and tone to be like that of your reader.
Think about how you usually talk to the shop visitors — more like a knowledgable buddy, rather than an imposing mentor, right? Try to adopt the same tone in your cover letter as well.
Provide Proof of Your Knowledge
Don’t just use industry jargon. To get hired as a budtender, you must demonstrate the knowledge a manager or owner looks for. They don’t want to spend a lot of time training you about all of the products, the potency, etc. The letter above provides such proof — a certification, your growing experience, deep product knowledge, etc.
Be Factual About Sales Successes
The letter above speaks to 50+ loyal customers. This is substantial for most dispensaries and shows that the applicant can establish a good rapport with the clientele and perhaps even bring some of their past buyers to the new location. Given the growing competition among dispensaries, this is a huge plus.
New to the industry? Don’t worry either. Show how your past achievements in other types of sales can be adapted to the cannabis industry.
Be Assertive About an Interview
Don’t call it an interview in the cover letter. Instead, give a call to action. The statement, “give me a call, and let’s set up a time” is a good example of such.
Here are some other call-to-actions to use for a cover letter:
- I’m excited to learn more about your business and growing techniques. How about scheduling a quick lunch interview?
- Let’s catch up some time this week to further discuss the suggestion about X I’ve mentioned.
- If you still have questions, do reach out via email or phone. I’m also available for a quick meetup on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Final Thoughts: Casual Does Not Mean Bad Grammar is Okay
While you may use some industry jargon and want a casual tone, you still want to be sound professional. And that means that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation must be correct. You never know when a reader may be a stickler for decent writing — don’t take the chance. Review your cover letter meticulously.
