Finding a controlled environment agriculture job is not complicated. Every day, several offers are published. The most difficult part is to succeed in the interview. You must convince your potential employer that you are the right candidate. But how do you proceed? If you don’t have any experience in front of a recruiter, don’t panic! Here are some tips to help you stand out from the crowd and get a job in a controlled environment agriculture company.
Prepare well for your job interview
You need to prepare for a job interview. The first thing you should do once you have your appointment is to research the agricultural company that is hiring. Don’t hesitate to visit their website and check out the LinkedIn profiles of their executives.
In addition to the company, research the position. Whether you’re applying to be a project engineer, research and development scientist, CEA grower, integrated pest management specialist… find out what the job duties are. Knowing what your role will entail will give you an edge over other applicants. It will also allow you to be more responsive during the interview and prove your motivation.
Also consider practicing the open-ended questions you will likely be asked. For example:
- Why do you want to join the company?
- Why are you interested in the position?
- What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
By preparing for any eventuality, you are less likely to be caught off guard during the interview.
The last thing you need to do before you go to the interview site is to prepare your speech. You should be able to introduce yourself in no more than 3 minutes. Therefore, practice speaking fluently, i.e. not too slowly and not too quickly.
Succeeding at all stages of the interview for controlled environment agriculture jobs
Your goal is to impress your recruiter, and that includes visuals. So, when you go to your interview, take care of your appearance. Recruiters always base their first impressions on what they see.
During the interview, pay attention to your non-verbal language: your gaze, your posture, your possible tics of language, etc. Don’t hesitate to ask your interviewer questions. For your information, many recruiters are impressed when candidates ask relevant questions about the position and the company. The best thing to do is to make a list of questions before the interview.
Sell yourself! It’s true that in agriculture, it’s not easy to talk about your skills. But with proper preparation, you can effectively communicate your qualifications and impress your recruiter at the same time. To do this :
- Illustrate what you say with facts: take examples of how you successfully solved problems in your previous job
- Bring with you certifications you have in the field of agriculture
- Highlight other skills as well: for example, you can talk about your attention to detail, willingness to learn, etc.
What to do after the interview?
Once the interview is over, don’t just wait for a response from the company. It is advisable to send a thank-you email to the recruiter within a week. If, after a while, you don’t receive a response, send a follow-up. It will certainly be appreciated.