Navigating the job search process within the horticulture and landscape industry can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and tips, you can set yourself apart from other job applicants and increase your chances of success.
Discover the secrets to job search success in our industry with this comprehensive guide.
Know Your Goals
To increase your chances of job search success, it’s important to start by identifying your skills, interests, and desired career path. This will help you to focus your job search and target positions that align with your goals and aspirations.
Define your job search criteria by considering factors such as location, salary, job responsibilities, and company culture. This will help you to narrow down your search and prioritise the most attractive job opportunities.
Create a list of target companies and industries in the horticulture field that align with your goals and criteria. This will give you a clear direction for your job search and allow you to focus your efforts on organisations that are the best fit for you.
Use the Hort People job board in your initial research on salary expectations, because salary ranges are mandatory on all positions advertised.
Also, read this article about 26 careers working with plants, and this article about award wages in Australia.
Let’s get to work! Image source
Develop a Strong Resume and Cover Letter
A strong resume and cover letter are essential components of a successful job search. Your resume should highlight your relevant skills and experiences in the horticulture field, including your education, certifications, and work history. Your cover letter is an accompanying document that addresses the employer directly and provides additional information that isn’t mentioned on your resume.
Showcasing your achievements and impact is key to making your resume stand out from the competition. Include specific examples of projects you’ve worked on, and the results you achieved, such as increased productivity or improved customer satisfaction.
To maximise the chances of your resume being seen by potential employers, make use of keywords, specific metrics and clear language. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, and these systems use keywords to identify the best candidates for a position. To improve your chances of being selected by these systems, make sure your resume includes relevant keywords from the job description.
Read this article about 17 ways to boost your resume in the landscape and horticulture industry to learn more about writing the perfect CV.
Focus on Your Personal Brand
Define and communicate your unique value proposition, highlighting your skills, accomplishments, and unique experiences. This will help you stand out from the competition and increase your visibility to potential employers.
Highlight your skills, accomplishments, and unique experiences in your resume, cover letter, and online profiles to showcase your personal brand.
Consistently present a professional image online and in-person, including dressing professionally for interviews, networking events, and industry conferences.
Customise Your Applications
Customising your resume, cover letter, and (if you’ve found your dream job) even your online profiles to each application can also help you stand out from other job seekers. By highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the specific role, you can show potential employers that you’re a strong fit for the position.
Take the time to research each company and role before submitting your application. This will help you understand their needs and requirements, and to tailor your materials accordingly.
Use Hort People: the Garden Industry Job Board
Hort People is the Australian horticulture and landscape industry job board. It has over 60 categories of jobs.
Salary ranges are mandatory on all jobs to make comparing opportunities easier, and you can upload your resume for free so that employers can offer you jobs you didn’t even know existed.
There are other non-specific job boards you can use as well, although they use broad categories like “landscape & garden” that make searching for specific types of roles difficult.
Be Proactive in Your Job Search
Don’t wait for job opportunities to come to you – take the initiative and actively search for opportunities that align with your goals and criteria. Use job search engines like Hort People, company websites, and social media to find job postings in the horticulture industry.
Unsolicited (cold) contacting companies you’re interested in can also help you stand out from other job seekers. Whether it’s through an email, phone call, or in-person meeting, taking the initiative to reach out to potential employers can help you to make a positive impression and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
Offering to volunteer, intern, or take on freelance work in the horticulture industry can be another effective way to gain experience and build your skills. You can work on real projects, build your portfolio, and make valuable connections in the industry.
You never know where your next opportunity will come from.
Be proactive and follow up
In today’s job market, waiting for a response from a potential employer can feel like an eternity. To increase your chances of landing your dream job, it’s a good idea to take matters into your own hands.
Follow up on job applications to keep yourself top of mind with the hiring manager. Wait at least a week after submitting your application before following up, and be polite and professional in your communication. You can send a follow-up email or call to inquire about the status of your application and reiterate your interest in the position.
Your resume and LinkedIn profile (if you have one) should always be current, highlighting your most recent experiences and skills. It’s okay to send a new resume to companies you’d like to work for if you’ve previously sent a resume that is now outdated.
Landscape architecture is a common dream career, and a logical transition from horticulture. Image source
Make use of Job Agencies
Job agencies, also known as recruitment agencies or staffing firms, can be a valuable resource in your job search. They specialise in connecting job seekers with employers and can help you find opportunities that match your skills and experience. When researching job search agencies, look for ones that specialise in the horticulture industry and have a good reputation. Read reviews and check their website to see if they have testimonials from satisfied job seekers.
Once you’ve found a reputable job search agency, make use of their resources and services. These may include job search workshops, resume writing services, interview preparation, and more. The agency may also provide you with leads and referrals, so make sure to keep them updated on your job search progress.
Use Data
Analyse job postings and salaries in your desired field to better understand the job market and determine your target salary range.
Keep track of your job search progress and outcomes, including applications submitted, interviews, and offers received. This data can help refine your job search strategy and adjust your approach as needed.
Networking
Take the initiative to reach out to industry professionals, alumni, and recruiters. Building relationships and making connections in the horticulture industry can be a great way to learn about job opportunities and increase your exposure to potential employers.
Join industry associations like the Australian Institute of Horticulture. Attend their industry events and conferences to network with professionals, learn about current trends and developments, and showcase your expertise. These events can also provide valuable opportunities to meet recruiters, employers and fellow job seekers who can help you learn about job openings.
Use social media platforms to connect with industry professionals and join relevant groups. This can provide valuable insights into the industry and increase your visibility to potential employers.
Professional Development Opportunities
You may be able to attend local and online workshops, conferences, and seminars related to the horticulture and landscape industry. These events can provide an opportunity to network with other professionals, learn about new developments in the field, and gain new skills and knowledge.
Seeking mentorship opportunities can also help you to gain valuable insights and experience in the horticulture industry. Working with a seasoned professional in your field can provide you with guidance, support, and the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge.
Taking advantage of training programs and online courses can also help build your skills and knowledge in the horticulture industry. Whether it’s a formal training program or an informal course, investing in your professional development will make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
It’ll also give you the skills and lingo you need to impress employers when you get tested during the interview or trial process.
Build a Strong Online Presence
Building a professional website or portfolio can help showcase your work and experiences in the horticulture and landscape industry. This can include samples of your work, a list of your accomplishments and skills, and a brief overview of your background and experience.
Social media can also help you to increase your visibility and build your brand in the horticulture industry. Share your work, experiences, and accomplishments on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to reach a wider audience.
Hit the bell on your favourite horticulture thought leaders so that you’re notified when they post. Comment early so that your thoughts are visible to others reading through the comment section.
Regularly post quality content and optimise your profile information so that when employers click your profile, they understand who you are, what you want, and what you have to offer them.
As a business-focused platform, LinkedIn is more popular with horticultural employers than other platforms, which can be more consumer-focused. That makes it a great place for a budding horticulturist or landscaper to build your personal brand and get noticed by employers.
It even lets you tag your profile as “open to work” to help you stand out from people not looking for work.
With that being said, you’ll still find plenty of employers on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and even TikTok. If you already have a horticulture-based personal brand on one of those platforms, you can double down your efforts there.
Consume Industry-Relevant Content
A good horticulturist or landscaper is enthusiastic about plants and continuously seeks knowledge from more experienced individuals. While not everyone has the opportunity to learn from experts on a daily basis, most of us have access to a phone.
As long as it’s safe to do so, pop an earphone in while you’re pruning the roses, planting saplings, or performing some other repetitive task and put on the Plants Grow Here podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. There’s no video to distract you, just the voices of industry experts, professionals and enthusiasts teaching you about one plant-related topic at a time.
By keeping up-to-date with what’s happening in the horticulture and landscape industry, you’ll be better prepared for your interview and trial. Employers can tell when you’re really passionate and knowledgeable about your career.
This is Melbourne Central. Where will your next workplace be? Image source
Make Use of Alumni Resources
This is a high-level hack. You can literally browse your university’s career services and alumni networks to connect with alumni working in your desired field. Alumni can provide valuable advice, mentorship, and job referrals.
Attend alumni events and networking opportunities to connect with alumni and build relationships with professionals in your desired field. These events can provide valuable insights into the industry and help you to expand your network.
Reach out to alumni working in your desired field and ask for informational interviews. This can provide valuable information about the industry, the job market, and potential job opportunities.
Contact Anybody
Similarly to the above hack, you can quite literally cold call or email anybody in the world if you have their details. Even if you can’t find their details, you can easily find the details of somebody that does know them.
If somebody can help you, you should contact them and ask for that help. The worst thing they can say is “no.”
There’s an art to the cold contact, but as long as it’s done ethically, you’re doing nothing wrong.
Stay Positive and Focused
One of the most important aspects of a successful job search is maintaining a positive attitude and a growth mindset. This means embracing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth, and remaining confident and optimistic in your pursuit of a career in horticulture and landscaping.
Take time for self-care and stress management to maintain a positive outlook and avoid burnout. Engage in activities you enjoy, exercise regularly, and make time for rest and relaxation.
Surround yourself with supportive friends and family for encouragement and motivation throughout your job search journey, as well as to provide a sounding board for your ideas and experiences.
Remember that your career isn’t the most important thing in the world, and you may not be able to achieve your ideal role at this time. Patience is a virtue, after all.
Tell Your Story
Highlighting your unique background and experiences is a key part of differentiating yourself from other job applicants. Share your background and experiences that have shaped your passion for horticulture and inspired your career aspirations.
This can be done subtly in your resume, but avoid too much storytelling there. Instead, do this through social media, a blog, YouTube videos, etc. Incorporate your story into your interview with caution, because you may come across as self-obsessed.
Sharing your passion and drive for horticulture demonstrates your value as a candidate. Explain what draws you to this industry and what you hope to contribute through your work.
Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your skills, achievements, and impact. This can help to bring your personal brand to life, and make you a more memorable and compelling candidate to potential employers.
Conclusion
This article has covered key strategies for job search success in the horticulture industry, including setting clear goals, developing a strong resume and cover letter, staying positive and focused, and telling your story.
Persistence, passion, and preparation are essential to achieving success in your job search, and should be at the forefront of your efforts as you pursue a career in horticulture.
Put these strategies into action, and embrace the challenges and opportunities of your job search journey with confidence and optimism.