​If you’re working in, or trying to break into, the horticulture, arboriculture, landscaping or grounds maintenance industry, it’s easy to feel unsure about what employers actually want from you.

Do you need qualifications?
Is experience everything?
Does personality really matter?

After spending a lot of time speaking directly with business owners, directors, contract managers and senior horticultural professionals, some very clear patterns begin to emerge. While every role and business is different, the core hiring principles are remarkably consistent across the industry.

This blog aims to give you a clearer, more honest picture of what employers really look for - and how you can position yourself for success.

The Three Things Employers Judge First

At an operative and junior level, most hiring decisions are based on three key factors:

1. Personality and attitude

2. Experience

3. Qualifications

If you were to rank these in order of importance, personality almost always comes first, closely followed by experience. Qualifications usually come third, though there are some important exceptions, which we’ll come on to later.

In roughly 8 out of 10 hiring decisions, employers would rather take someone with the right attitude and potential than someone with certificates but a poor work ethic.

Personality & Attitude: The True Foundation

When employers talk about personality, they’re not referring to being outgoing, loud, or confident in interviews. What they really mean is:

• A genuine interest in the work

• A strong work ethic and willingness to get stuff done

• Reliability and consistency

• Pride in the quality of your work

• A desire to learn and improve

This is a physically demanding industry that doesn’t stop when the weather turns. Winter months are cold, days are shorter, and work can be relentless. Employers want people who understand this and still turn up with the right mindset.

Being an “outdoors person” isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s fundamental. If you enjoy being outside, working with your hands, and seeing tangible results at the end of a day’s work, you are far more likely to succeed long-term.

Experience: How Important Is It Really?

Experience matters - but how you get it matters just as much.

For experienced operatives, a proven track record and solid references can outweigh almost anything else. Employers want reassurance that you:

• Understand the realities of the job

• Can work efficiently on site

• Are safe, reliable, and competent

However, if you’re new to the industry, a lack of experience doesn’t automatically count against you.

How to Build Experience Early

• Volunteering with estates, charities, or community gardens

• Helping local gardeners or landscapers on a casual basis

• Taking on small self-employed or weekend jobs

• Work placements or seasonal roles

Employers place huge value on initiative. Showing that you’ve actively sought out experience, even unpaid, demonstrates commitment and passion, which often matters more than formal employment history. In fact, some employers said they value volunteering experience equally to professional experience, because let's be honest, who’s going to work for free in something they don’t enjoy/aren’t passionate about pursuing?

A good reference, even from a small operation or volunteer role, can be incredibly powerful.

Qualifications: Where They Matter Most

Qualifications are often misunderstood in this industry. For many roles, they are not the primary hiring factor, but they can become crucial depending on the discipline and level.

Landscaping Roles

In landscaping, CSCS is a key qualification, particularly for projects linked to construction or large contractors.

A CSCS card:

• Is often essential to gain site access

• Demonstrates understanding of health & safety standards

• Can be the difference between being employable or not

For landscapers, CSCS should be viewed as a baseline requirement, not a bonus.

Arboriculture Roles

Arboriculture is one area where qualifications carry significantly more weight.

Due to the safety-critical nature of the work, employers typically expect:

• Relevant tickets and certifications

• Proof of competence with machinery and climbing

• A strong understanding of risk and compliance

In these roles, qualifications are not optional - they are fundamental.

Gardening & Senior Horticultural Roles

As gardening roles become more senior or specialised, there is a growing emphasis on skills like plant identification, pest and disease recognition, and horticulture knowledge with seasonal understanding. This knowledge can come from formal qualifications (such as RHS/NVQ’s) or many years of hands-on experience, but it must be there. Higher-paid gardening roles almost always demand a deeper technical understanding.

Practical Requirements Employers Expect

Several practical factors consistently appear in hiring conversations:

• Driving licence – often essential, even if driving isn’t the main duty. Flexibility and site access are crucial.

• Health & Safety qualifications – increasingly valued across all disciplines.

• Machinery tickets – particularly useful in landscaping and arboriculture roles.

Even when these aren’t mandatory, they significantly improve employability.

A Note on Younger & Entry-Level Candidates

Some employers express concern when hiring younger or less experienced individuals, usually along the lines of commitment issues and reliability. However, candidates who demonstrate maturity, eagerness to learn, and a strong work ethic quickly overcome these concerns. Age itself is rarely the issue - attitude is.

Thinking Like an Employer

To succeed in this industry, you need to think from the employer’s perspective.

They are asking:

• Will this person show up and work hard?

• Do they care about the quality of their work?

• Can they be trusted on-site and with clients?

• Are they genuinely interested in the industry?

Passion, knowledge, and experience, even when gained informally, are powerful indicators of long-term success.

Conclusion

While horticulture isn’t always seen as a high-paying industry at entry level, it’s important to say this clearly: there are well-paid roles in horticulture.

They’re just rarely handed to you on day one.

The people earning strong salaries in this sector are usually those who:

• Progress quickly by building experience early

• Actively seek responsibility and leadership opportunities

• Develop specialist knowledge (plants, trees, machinery, or operations)

• Understand the commercial side of the business, not just the practical work

Horticulture rewards people who are proactive about their development. Those who ask “what’s next?”, volunteer for more responsibility, and invest time in learning often move into:

• Senior gardening and estate roles

• Management and supervisory positions

• Technical specialist roles

• Commercial consultancy or operational leadership positions

The key isn’t waiting for progression - it’s creating it.

By understanding what employers value, gaining experience as early as possible, and choosing the fastest routes to responsibility and skill development, it’s entirely possible to build a fulfilling, financially rewarding career in this industry.

Horticulture isn’t a dead-end. It’s a sector full of opportunity for those who are willing to commit, learn, and move with intent.

And for those who do, the long-term rewards can be far greater than many people realise.

 I am always available to help advise on your next career steps within the sector, so drop me a message if you'd like to talk!

Contact me