Whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay.
For many years now, AI has been used to streamline hiring processes across industries. Recently, even cannabis companies have started using AI when seeking and selecting talent.
We’ve been asked many times about job seeking tips in an AI-prevalent world, so we decided to make this guide for you. In this article, we provide insights into how AI is being utilized in hiring and offers practical strategies to help you navigate and succeed in this evolving job market.
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Understanding AI's Role in Cannabis Industry Hiring
Following the example of traditional industries, cannabis companies have started to integrate AI into their hiring processes. But there are still many companies, especially smaller, more niche cannabis businesses that opt for recruiting the old fashioned way.
So, why do businesses use AI in their hiring process? Here are a couple of benefits AI brings to the table:
✔️ Efficiency: AI automates repetitive tasks such as resume screening, interview scheduling, and candidate communication, allowing recruiters to focus on getting to really know their candidates and making strategic decisions.
✔️ Bias Reduction: Properly designed AI systems can help minimize unconscious bias by evaluating candidates based on objective criteria.
✔️ Enhanced Candidate Experience: AI-powered chatbots and communication tools keep candidates informed throughout the hiring process, improving their engagement and satisfaction with the process. This is great overall for influencing public perception of the brand.
On the flipside, the presence of AI in the hiring process does pose challenges for job seekers, namely:
☹️ Disqualified by AI, Not by a Human: AI-driven Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may filter out resumes lacking specific keywords or those using formats or templates it cannot scan through. This unfortunately leads to potentially overlooking qualified candidates.
☹️ Incomplete Assessment of Candidates: The use of AI can lead to a lack of human touch in the recruitment process, making it harder for candidates to showcase their personalities and soft skills.
☹️ Difficult to Make Genuine Connections: Excessive dependence on AI tools by both employers and job seekers can result in generic applications and missed opportunities for genuine connection. Left uncontrolled, the job market will end up with company AIs talking with candidate AIs.
Practical Strategies for Job Seekers in an AI-Driven Market
1. Optimize Your CV for ATS screening
Avoid getting your CV prematurely disqualified by AI by tailoring it to pass through AI-driven ATS filters:
Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate terms from the job description into your CV to align with the AI’s search criteria. To go one step further, copy-paste the job description onto a word cloud software to identify the most used keywords and insert those into your CV.
Maintain Clear Formatting: Use clean, standard fonts and layouts to ensure AI systems can accurately parse your information. Avoid using fancy images or graphics as this may confuse the ATS.
Leverage AI Tools: Many AI Resume Builders exist for you to utilize like Zety, Resume.io, Enhancv, or Teal to create ATS-friendly resumes tailored to specific roles.
2. Craft Personalized Cover Letters
We get it. Cover letters are daunting when you have to write different ones for multiple companies you apply for. Nevertheless, cover letters are still crucial in helping you stand out. Let AI do the heavy lifting by asking it to draft you those cover letters – all you have to do from there is add a personal touch:
Highlight Unique Experiences: Share specific examples (plus points for including quantifiable metrics and achievements) that demonstrate your fit for the role and the company culture.
Express Genuine Interest: Convey enthusiasm for the position and the organization’s mission, particularly important in the values-driven cannabis industry where culture fit is prioritised.
Use AI Wisely: With ChatGPT, you can upload a copy of your CV and ask it to create a cover letter for you based on your CV and the job you are applying for. Remember to proofread and personalize the content before submitting.
3. Prepare for AI-Assisted Interviews
With AI, interviewers can easily take notes during the interview. This, overall, is great news as there is a reduced chance of what you say getting lost. Make the most of this by:
Knowing the Industry: Get to know the company, the role you are applying for and the market in which it operates in. Without the basics, you will be easily disqualified in the process. For example, a candidate once asked us during an interview what a “strain” was. Suffice to say, that person didn’t get to the next stage of the process.
Practicing Common Questions: Research on the most frequently asked interview questions. Then develop concise answers to them that highlight your qualifications and adaptability.
Speaking clearly: AI can make mistakes during the transcription process if you do not speak clearly or speak too fast. Though later AI models are getting better at understanding human speech, do your best to enunciate your answers.
4. Make the Job Search Easier
Instead of manually searching for jobs online, here are some ways to automate the search process:
Automated Job Alerts: Set up daily or weekly job alerts on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. These alerts notify you of new job postings that match your criteria, ensuring you stay updated on the latest opportunities.
Follow Companies & Recruiters: Be sure to also follow the pages of companies you wish to work for, as well as the pages of recruitment agencies like Lumino. We always post our latest jobs on our job board.
5. Network & Put Yourself Out There!
Despite technological advancements, human connections remain vital:
Attend Industry Events: Participate in cannabis industry conferences and seminars to meet professionals and learn about emerging trends. If you want to learn more, we’ve created a list of the Top Cannabis Events in Europe in 2025.
Engage on Professional Platforms: Use LinkedIn to connect with industry leaders, join relevant groups, and share your insights.
Seek Informational Interviews: Reach out to current employees in roles you’re interested in to gain firsthand knowledge and advice. They may even be willing to refer you to the Hiring Manager – especially if there’s a referral bonus.
6. Future-Proof Yourself
In a rapidly evolving industry, staying current is essential:
Pursue Relevant Certifications: Enroll in cannabis courses that enhance your expertise in areas like compliance, cultivation, or cannabis business operations.
Stay Informed: Follow industry news and publications from reputable sources for trends, job insights, and the most in-demand skills and qualifications.
Need Help Hiring or Finding a Job in Cannabis?
Lumino is Europe’s leading recruitment agency providing HR advisory and executive search services for the cannabis industry.
At Lumino, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities in the cannabis industry. For over half a decade, we’ve been the go-to recruitment agency for diverse businesses – from startups to global corporations – when it comes to seeking exceptional talent.
If you are a company who wants to find the best professionals to grow your business, we can support your hiring needs. If you are a professional looking for a job in the industry, you can visit our job board and follow our LinkedIn page.
