The interview questions that allow hiring managers to dive deeper into how you perform are behavior-based. Behavioral interview questions in cannabis help employers analyze how you react to certain situations in the work environment. They want to make sure you have the experience and sound problem-solving skills to prevail in the cannabis role.
Behavioral-based interview questions are one of the challenges on the road to any of the cannabis jobs available. Although they may seem daunting, you can overcome them by preparing responses and practicing your answers. To give you the upper hand, we’ve created a cheat sheet of the most common behavioral interview questions in cannabis. Take the time to gather your real-life examples that showcase your skills, so you don’t freeze on the spot. And if you’re a cannabis employer, you can review these questions to make sure you use the appropriate ones in your next interview.
STAR Technique
In answering any of the behavioral interview questions in cannabis, you’ll want to utilize the S.T.A.R. Technique. By practicing the S.T.A.R. method, you can organize your answers and deliver them in a way the hiring manager can understand clearly. Moreover, if you run into a question that’s not on this list, at least you’ll have a solid structure to produce answers requiring anecdotes. Reminder: be as specific as possible with your answers, but don’t ramble on. And eliminate any answers that may paint you in a negative light.
Situation: Describe the scenario you were in and provide only the necessary details.
Task: Explain the goal you were working toward and the responsibilities you had.
Action: In detail, provide the steps you took to complete the task along with any action you took for unforeseen circumstances. If it was a team effort, keep the focus on your contribution.
Result: Explain the multiple positive results of your actions, and don’t be afraid to give yourself some praise.
As you’re going through the common behavioral interview questions in cannabis, make it a point to use the S.T.A.R. method. Answer each question on a separate sheet of paper in bullet notes, using the storytelling technique. After you have your stories written down as notes within this structure, then you can start practicing your anecdotal answers out loud.
Teamwork
All of the cannabis jobs available require teamwork, at least to some extent. Hiring managers will ask you behavioral interview questions about your collaboration competencies to find out if you have successfully been a follower and leader in past positions. Gather stories that illustrate your ability to overcome team conflict and tackle difficult projects. Then, polish your stories by highlighting both your leadership skills and the ability to listen to others.
- Tell me about a time you faced a conflict while working on a team project. How did you handle the situation?
- Give me an example of a situation where you needed to communicate with someone who was unresponsive. What did you do to get through to the person?
- Explain a time you had to work with someone whose personality differed greatly from yours.
Working with Clients
Hiring managers want to see if you have the skills to build rapport with clients. Client-facing skills are essential in many cannabis careers, as networking and communication are important keys to company growth and customer loyalty. Employers also want to know how you represent a company or team. Since the cannabis industry is so young and still small compared to others, consumer interaction is pivotal to establishing a memorable brand.
- Tell me about a time when a client felt like you did not meet their expectations. How did you alleviate the situation?
- Give me an example of a situation when you had to interact with a difficult client. What was your approach? What happened?
- How do you go about making a good impression on a client?
Adaptability
Since the cannabis industry is still young, the ability to adapt and pivot is crucial to success. Employers want to know your level of cognitive flexibility and experience in dealing with situations that require creative problem-solving. In the process of filling cannabis jobs, hiring managers are eager to hear how you respond to change and find the silver lining in a time of crisis. With behavioral interview questions on adaptability, think about times you triumphed under pressure or prevailed when the odds were against you. Additionally, go into your thought process and approach to tackling the change or pivot.
- Describe a situation where you were under a lot of pressure. What did you do to get through it?
- Tell me about a time you failed. How did you handle the situation and what did you learn from it?
- Explain a situation where you needed to come up with creative solutions. What was your process and what was the outcome?
Time Management and Organization
Whether you’re targeting cannabis executive jobs or entry-level positions in the space, time management and organization skills are necessary. Be prepared to share stories about how you juggle multiple tasks and meet deadlines. When you’re telling stories that highlight your time management, organization, and prioritization capabilities, don’t forget to break down your thought process. Candidates that know how to chunk their workload and set-shift will be more appealing to cannabis hiring employers. Multitasking kills productivity, but set-shifting, which means consciously transitioning from task to task, is highly effective.
- Discuss a long-term project you managed and how you kept everything moving forward in a timely manner.
- Tell me about an important goal you set for yourself. How did you ensure it would be met?
- Give me an example of how you managed a situation where you had multiple projects to do. How did you prioritize your tasks?
Behavioral interview questions in cannabis will allow you to prove your worth through past examples. Focus on results and highlight your strengths in every anecdotal response. If you share something you struggled with, explain how you remedied the situation or learned from it. There’s plenty of competition to fill open cannabis industry jobs, and behavioral interview questions play a major role in the employer’s decision.
