Ag Company Hiring - All Backgrounds Apply

In my nearly 6 years recruiting for GROWMARK, Inc., I have had the opportunity to speak with people across a wide range of backgrounds, education, and skillsets– all looking for that next step in their professional life. I hear many people’s stories and learn about their strengths, but so many of them qualify their expertise with “...but, I don’t have any farming experience.” If you are one of those people and you’ve stumbled upon my post, I’ve got great news! The FS GROWMARK System has opportunities for you too - No farm experience needed!

Ok… maybe I shouldn’t say NO farm experience needed. Will some positions require an agronomic background? Of course! Does that mean only farmers or people with an agriculture degree are qualified for a job here? Absolutely not!
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Just like other industries, ag companies offer opportunities in accounting/finance, HR, IT and other business-related areas. For many of those positions, agriculture experience is not required. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that even ag companies have jobs that may be a fit for you. Here are some tips that can help you decide:

• Research the company
  • What do they do?
  • What do they value in employees?
  • What types of job openings do they have?
• Read the job description to determine what competencies that position requires.
  • Are they looking for collaboration skills or someone who is results-oriented? Maybe they want someone with exceptional customer service skills, and you’ve been in customer service for 15 years. You probably know a thing or two about exceptional customer service!
• Update your cover letter and resume to highlight the competencies the employer is looking for.
  • This is your first opportunity to show the employer how your skills align with the job.

 
Start thinking outside the box when it comes to envisioning your career path. Expand your job search to industries that you do not have direct experience with. You could be missing a great opportunity that fits your skills and career goals. A great place to start your search would be the GROWMARK Careers Page. Check it out!

By: Megan Peterson, Recruiter