…And it’s not in growing, trimming, or testing.

Cannabis is nothing new to Californians – though recreational marijuana was only legalized in January, the medicinal industry has had a hold on the state for over two decades. For a supposedly ‘emerging market,’ recreational cannabis already has an astonishing level of infrastructure, regulation, and built-in clientele.

So why join now? There’s a distinctly youthful energy to the industry – and it’s not just that cannabis appeals especially to millennials. Getting into this market now means you’ll have the infrastructure and support of an established industry without sacrificing the opportunity to shape its future and the creative freedom to determine your own path.

Professionals in Finance, Accounting, Quality Assurance, Technology, and Law are needed to support this growing market. Are you up for it?

Cannabis A to Z

Want to pursue a career in the marijuana industry? You’ve chosen the right time – companies are struggling to navigate government regulations, technological complexities, and the constant fear of audits. Here’s everything you need to know, in California and beyond:

– In the next 5 years, it’s predicted that 100,000 Californians will be directly employed in the Cannabis industry – plus an ever-growing network of satellite professions.

– Between 2016 and 2017, ZipRecruiter’s marijuana-related job postings increased 693%, making it one of the fastest growing industries across the country – even rivaling the number of cybersecurity and cryptocurrency postings.

– Last year – before recreational marijuana was legalized – California’s medicinal marijuana industry was already worth $3.8 billion.

– Country-wide marijuana employment is predicted to double by 2021.

– Don’t live in California? Recreational and/or medical marijuana use is already legal in 30 states and Washington D.C. Oklahoma legalized medicinal use just last month.

What kind of jobs are out there?

Companies aren’t looking for just anyone. They need highly-skilled professionals with a passion for learning and a willingness to help build something from the ground up.

CPAs, Accountants, Financial Systems Managers and Lawyers are building entire books of business serving the recreational marijuana community. Better yet – CPAs with working knowledge of the legal system and marijuana-related regulations have their pick of top companies.

At the same time, technology experts are helping to create and implement incredibly intricate track-and-trace systems. As each plant must be tracked from seed to seller, companies require a team of highly-specialized professionals to help build and implement their software systems.

Data Scientists, Software Engineers, Programmers, and Quality Assurance Analysts are all finding exciting work in this evolving market. Interested?

How do I land my next job?

A quick LinkedIn search of ‘cannabis’ and ‘California’ turns up 600+ results ranging from Staff Accountant to Lead Formulation Scientist and Customer Acquisition Manager.

How do you find that perfect fit? Your best bet is in partnering with a recruiting firm. Most of the time, we already have strong relationships with companies and hiring managers and can quickly match you with a relevant job opportunity. A good recruiter possesses intimate knowledge of a company’s growth trajectory, year-end goals, and hiring priorities, and will use that knowledge to your advantage.

At Proven Recruiting, we’ve personally witnessed the number of cannabis companies looking for Finance, Accounting, and Technology talent skyrocket. We’re currently working with a number of local companies to help support their workforce – you can send us your resume to apply.

Not looking to work with a recruiter? In that case, your best strategy is to hone in on a few companies you’d love to join. Learn about their process, their story, their goals, and email or InMail the Hiring Managers directly with a proposition. Explain how your expertise and passion will help grow the company, and provide specific examples to showcase your skills and ideas.

Am I hurting my future prospects?

The short answer: no. Recreational cannabis is a legitimate industry with tons of room for growth and professional exploration. Future employers will care more about how you helped your company develop new systems or better audit reports than they will about seeing the word ‘marijuana’ on your resume.

If anything, working in the cannabis business will help differentiate your resume and add interest to your bio. It’s no different than working in any other startup field. Remember – it’s what you make of the job that matters.

Shoot us an email if you’re interested in learning more – we’d love to connect you with innovative companies in your area.