As you may already know there are not as many careers for felons as you like but there are still a number of options. Many careers for felons have the opportunity for advancement, raises and the potential to move or transfer within the company you choose to work for.
Careers For Felons
Many felons become discouraged when applying for jobs because they are turned down time after time. There are several reasons that this happens; the most common reason is because you are applying to the wrong type of companies. Some companies will simply not consider a felon for a job or a career in that particular position. Below we will give you a list and information on which industries offer careers for felons most often.
1) Truck Driving Career
There are a ton of truck driving companies out there that will hire felons depending on what the type of felony and the length of time since the conviction. This can be a fairly high paying career with good benefits. Most truck drivers earn about $800 dollars per week and have very secure jobs. The downside to trucking is the amount of time that you will spend away from home. All in all this is a great career for felons.
We have several pages dedicated to getting a job as a truck driver.
2) Construction Companies
Construction is a great sector to work in if you are a felon looking for a career. Many construction companies are small and have many different positions. This will allow you to actually talk to the owner and show him your worth and skills. This is much better than dealing with a person that sits in a Human Resources office all day that has no clue about who you are.
The other great part about working in construction is that it allows you to learn a particular trade while earning money. This can allow you to possibly start your own business in the future if you so choose to. Remember to not just think about construction in general but all the trades and companies within that industry.
Some trades within the construction industry:
- Tile
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Welding
- Pipe Fitting
- Carpet
- HVAC
- Roofing
These are only a few of the niche industries within the construction trade. Roofing companies are almost always looking for people that are willing to work hard whether they are a felon or not. The great thing about construction is that you will get regular raises and move up if you put your time in. Learn more about construction jobs here.
3) Landscaping
This can be another great career choice for felons for several reasons. Like construction most landscape companies are small businesses which is a great thing because you will be able to talk directly with the owner. This will give you a huge advantage; the other reason it is a great career path for felons is because it is something you can do yourself with little to no training.
Even if you do not have anyone willing to hire you, you can always cut grass for customers. You can have flyers printed out and distributed for almost no cost. Offer a first time mow for a super low cost of about 10 dollars. If you do a great job most people will have you come back then you can charge them $15 or $20 dollars a mow. If you mow 5 yards a day, 5 days a week you will be making $500 a week minus costs, which are very minimal.
4) Fast Food Restaurants
Not really one of the best high paying careers for felons but it is still a job that will pay you. Many people will make a blanket statement about a particular chain saying that they will not hire felons but most of the time this is not true.
The vast majority of fast food chains are franchises. This means that each restaurant or small group of restaurants are owned by individuals rather than corporations. With that being said you may find a fast food restaurant that hires felons on one side of town while the same brand on the other side of town does not. There is some room for advancement in these types of jobs but it can take awhile to move up. Remember that some restaurants may be felon friendly while others are not so apply to everyone possible.
Restaurants that may hire felons:
5) Drilling and Oil Companies
There are many small drilling companies out there that will hire felons. This can be one of the better careers for felons because of the high pay. The down side is that it is dirty hard work and you have to live in the right area to find a job doing this type of work.
This is the best list of land drilling companies.
6) Newspaper Contractor
Most large newspapers contract out their delivery to individuals. For the most part the day of paperboys is over. These jobs start very early in the morning (about 3 AM). You go to the newspaper printing house, pick up about 400 papers and deliver them to houses that are on your list. The pay is typically only about 200 dollars a week but most do not do a background check or anything. The other downside is that this is a seven day a week job and Sunday papers are very bulky and heavy.
Indeed is a great place to search for newspaper delivery contractor jobs.
7) Temp Agencies
Temp agencies can be a great option for felons to find a career. Why? Because temp agencies work with a large number and a wide variety of different employers. This means that there is a good chance that the temp agency may have a employer that does not require a background check. Some jobs may not be the best but it is possible to find a good career through a temp agency. See our list of felon friendly temp agencies here.
8) Work from Home/Online Careers
There are a number of real jobs that can be worked from the comfort of your home. We have an entire page dedicated to legit online careers for felons.
9) Self Employment
Becoming self employed and having your own business doesn’t have to be expensive. We have many low cost start up ideas, some even won’t cost you a penny.
- Freelancing – Upwork connects freelance workers with employers, NO background checks!
- Self Employment Ideas – See a list of ideas and low cost start ups.
so basically the only way you can get a career as a convicted felon is if you bust your ass or you don’t get paid shit i need to get out of this bullshit country
You can make money and be successful, just takes a ton more work to get there.
Wow that is the saddest list of crap jobs, I’ve ever seen. Thanks for making me suicidal
These are meant to be ideas/jobs that you can just walk into. After you do that start looking for something better!
I was sentenced to seven years in prison for Fraudulent Schemes in 2001, released in 2008. Arizona truth in sentencing made it so I had to do most of my time- no early release for good behavior, although I took it upon myself to be a model inmate anyway. I served my time studying and going to SA classes and stayed away from the yards drama and card playing. Once released I went through the process of getting a job starting with checking the classifieds the first week and with my resume (which I already made inside waiting to get out) I hit the pavement. Dropped off five applications the first day, had quick exchanges with the management (the day before, would they would be in..? best time to drop off to meet and shake hands) dressed in useful proper clothing for the jobs I was applying for, and chose jobs that were less likely to have a need for a background check- BUT- had a letter in with my application/resume about what happened and how I changed!! The end of the first day I was asked 3 out of 5 times when I would like to start- the final resume/application drop off was at a hotel owned by a private owner who needed someone who would work hard and didn’t mind getting their hands dirty if needed. It was offered “When can you start?” I said “NOW”.
In three months the minimum wage I was given to start was increased 50% to a salary standing and I was offered an assistant manager position. Its been eight years since I was released and although I have since moved to another state and started a family- I sometimes wish I was still with the company. The owner and I are still friends on Facebook.
So the point of my story is #1- HAVE ALL YOUR PAPERWORK READY #2 BE READY TO WORK AT ANYTHING !!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Just throwing hope out there for you guys.
I did 4 years in Texas at 17 years old. Making $70k/year as a truck driver. I’ve been out for 1 year.
Had a 2 friends in there.
One did 12years, got out and went to work at a mechanic shop. After 2 years he worked his way up to manager and is making $1,500 a week.
The other did 7 years on one of those… Bad charges. Hes making $60k a year on salary as a manager for some sales rep agency. Hes been out for 3 1/2years.
It wasn’t easy for any of us. But we pushed through the hard times, and never stopped thriving for a better life. If you truely want success, you can achieve it. Just never stop trying.
Awesome! Great to hear it!
Jon, I am also in Texas. Do you mind sharing the names of the companies that you and your friends work for?
I have a 2nd DWI causing injury. Felony. The other party broke their hand badly. I have several years medical office experience and education. I did not go to prison. I paid all my fines and did my probation without any problems. I can’t find a job to save my life that I can survive on. I hope everyone on this site has good luck finding a job. I’m open to suggestions. Good luck, everyone!!
I’m in the same boat, as a dental assistant but I sold my PRESCRIBED aderall to a friend of a friend who was wearing a wire. It was 2 B felonies, dropped to one D felony. I can’t renew my radiology license and I can’t do my job without it. I’m 100% at a loss….I feel like I’m 26 in a 13 year olds life.
I am desperate. No one will hire me, because I committed a murder 18 years ago when I was 14 years old. Want to hear a funny story. Yesterday, Walmart OFFERED ME A JOB — I was ecstatic — It was from 10 pm to 7 am cleaning and making sandwiches, AND they were going to give me $10.40 an hour. The manager, Mike, said ” if you want to work here then I WILL hire you.” I hope you caught that part where he said “I will hire you”. At the end of the interview when he printed out my job description, after taking my information, he had one final form. Can anybody guess what it was . . . Do I have any takers? It was a consent form to do a background check. He said, “just check ‘no’. You haven’t been convicted of a felony, have you.” Obviously I said yes. I told him it was Homicide, 2nd degree. His response: “You killed somebody?” I told him it was 18 years ago, but he said – – catch this part now — “Oh, THEY WON’T hire you.” Who’s “THEY” whatever happened to “I’LL HIRE YOU”. Does this organization — helpforfelons — have ANY reasonable and reliable suggestions that can help me. I went to prison at 14 years old. I got out three months ago. I DO NOT have ANY work experience.
Jason, I ran across your story while looking around this site for my son who is due for parole in November. My heart goes out to you and I will be praying for you. Since God wakes you up every morning I am certain He has a plan for your life. Although I have no answer for you I know God does and I will tell you that your answer is Jesus. If you haven’t already, ask Jesus to come into your life and change your life. I promise He will and He will not disappoint you. In Gods love, Pamela.
Good morning, Jason my name’s Carl Johnson. I can completely understand your situation, have you got your G.E.D?. If you have gotten that, go to college man, get a degree in business, that way you can start your own company. Depending on where you live, look up best small business’s in your town. And just train yourself whistle you’re still in school. Hope all goes well Jason and hope you see this and take advantage of the $5,775 dollars you could possibly get.
I agree with you. My husband got out over a year ago and spent every day trying to find a job. 15 years in prison for a felony and no one would hire him. He actually got lucky because one of the elders at the church we attend owns three stores in two cities and was hiring an assistant manager. He hired him..no background check, no questions asked. That was four months after he was released. Two months later a customer asked a coworker “is he from …..” and started talking about his past. This coworker ran with the info to the nearest computer and did an inmate search and his work life became misery. The owner relocated him to another store in the next city. So far, it’s all good but you never know. The drawback to working near his prison has been seeing old COs and nurses who say “do I know you?” and he keeps waiting on someone to actually remember him. Turns out one of his old COs is a member of our church also but he talked to him and him and his wife have been two of the kindest people since his release. The elder/owner has been extremely kind and understanding and not once judgmental. My husband makes minimum wage and has a college degree and was earning over $100k prior to his conviction. This isn’t easy but he’s just thankful to have been given a job. I would recommend attaching yourself to a church, even if it means moving to where no one knows you. Who you know really does make a difference & churches are great for networking also. He had tried Dollar General, Family Dollar, Walmart, Kroger, etc. No one would call him back after felony discovery. One company hired him …they were an inventory company and hire lots of ex felons and his probation officer had to tell him he couldn’t do it because he would occasionally have to cross state lines for work and it was too soon. The company was WIS International. Maybe you can check them out.
Hey man keep your head up! The best thing I’ve found to do is go to craigslist.org and get on the food/bev and labor jobs. Also check out the gigs, I spin signs right now. It’s not much but it’s something and its a LOT better than nothing!
Very true!
Jason,
What state are you in? Have you tried your State Employment Commission? Also check with the local Urban League, they often have connections to employers that know your history and will hire you.
same her I got in trouble when I was 17 for and armed robbery attempt nobody was hurt nothing was taken got convicted in 2009 when I turned 18 they sent me to prison boot camp for 3months been out of trouble ever since I am a changed man all I care about is taking care of my family and doing the right things but society DOESNT car I tried to get a job at a warehouse I was so happy had the biggest smile on my face I worked harder then everybody then managers was happy to have me I only work for two days until I got the most heart breaking call of my life the temp service called me and said we have to END your assignment due to your Background Check my Heart dropped I just don’t understand how society would blackball me for making just one mistake in my life when I was a kid now I guess im just haunted for the rest of my life i know what i did back then was wrong but i am a changed Man a family man and all i want to do is be able to support my family lord give me the strength every day i have to live with my mistakes i just pray that society can give me a second chance at life to do right yes i made mistakes in my past but my Heart is full of Love Ive changed but they don’t care i guess im just another XXXXXXX ……had to share my story may god bless you all
I feel for each and everyone of you, I too did time, just got out a few months ago from TDCJ and its so frustrating when we come out , with a different mentality, to make better choices, to better our self’s, yet constantly we knocked down. We all should get together as one to start a non profit organization that is designed to help felons transition back into society in a positive way, with every kind of resource available, for employment, furthering your education, housing, medical etc. We are human beings and deserve a second chance. Not only to prove to others but for ourselves, that we over come all this.
Olive Garden will hire you. Also go to school and get an education. My cousin served time for murder and is a Social worker. Do not give up
Awesome. Thank you for the info!
Dang that’s sucks hard. And honestly I don’t see why they wouldn’t hire you because it was for something that happened when you were a child. Sorry to hear you had to go through that… Hope everything goes well on the next one 😉
-SHEENA-
Praying for you. Don’t give up.
_____________ jobs ever.
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these are the worst XXXXX jobs. no one wants to work these, especially not me.
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