Jobs that Hire Felons in 2023 (Finding a Job After a Felony)

By Reid - June 5, 2022

Companies that Hire Felons

People make mistakes, there’s no doubt about it. And unfortunately, those mistakes can often haunt us even after the dust has settled.

It can be difficult to find jobs that hire felons in our current market, but it’s getting easier. Check out the best jobs and companies for felons to apply for with tips on landing that job.

Questions Answered:

Ban the box list
Jobs that hire felons
Companies that hire felons
Tips for getting a job with a felony
Is it illegal to disqualify a candidate because of their criminal record
Does the type of felony conviction matter
Is it illegal to lie about my criminal record on an application
What do background checks reveal

Ban the Box List

The Ban the Box list includes companies and businesses that have removed questions relating to criminal history from their applications. Many applications once had questions such as:

Do you have a criminal history?
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

Currently, 37 US states and more than 150 cities have adopted the Ban the Box policy, which prevents employers from putting these questions on job applications.

The goal is to reduce an employer’s access to criminal history until further into the hiring process, preventing employers from dismissing a convicted felon for wrong reasons.

List of Jobs That Hire Felons

If you’re wondering what kind of jobs hire felons, below are common entry-level positions that people with a felony can often work. Consider what positions will be best suited to your skills and goals when searching.

Cashier/clerk
Warehouse worker
Construction/manual labor
Plumber
Painter
Landscaper
Truck driver
Customer service representative
Telemarketer
Airline/airport job
Hotel/motel job
Server
Janitor/Cleaner
Repair worker
Salesperson
Cook
Gas station attendant

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Major Companies That Hire Felons

Below are a few of the major companies that will hire people with felony records. Many offer entry-level positions in the restaurant or retail industry with room for promotions in the future. Note: this is a very small list of the organizations out there today that hire felons.

McDonald’s
Target
Costco
Calvin Klein
Ruby Tuesday
Jimmy Johns
Jiffy Lube
IHOP
Golden Corral
Pepsi
Chick-Fil-A
Sony
Sears
Olive Garden
Red Lobster
Starbucks
Facebook
Walmart
Apple
Chipotle

Tips For Getting a Job With a Felony

Finding a felon-friendly job can be tough. But if you go in with the right attitude and express yourself properly, many employers will look past your record and hire you based on your personality and willingness to work. Keep the following five tips in mind when job hunting with a felony.

1. Always Apply

While rejection stings, when looking for jobs that hire felons, it never hurts to apply to everything. Some places do not advertise that they support Ban the Box or hire felons, but that doesn’t mean they don’t. If you are interested in a certain company, it’s worth submitting your application.

2. Be Honest

The worst thing you can do is lie about your criminal history. Doing this may disqualify you from a job instantly when the conviction wouldn’t have.

If an employer or hiring manager asks you point-blank if you have a criminal record, whether on an application or in an interview, be honest. Odds are they plan on running a background check anyway and will find out. But if you’re open and honest about your past, they’re more willing to give you a chance.

3. Prepare to Explain the Charge

Explaining a felony charge can be difficult and stressful. Before you walk into an interview or even start submitting applications, prepare your explanation. There’s often more to the story than what the legal documents say.

Practice or write out what happened and how you’ve learned and grown from it. In some cases, you can spin the conviction to make you seem like a well-rounded and remorseful individual worthy of a second chance and a new job opportunity.

4. Check Yourself

Most of the employers above will run a criminal background check on potential employees that will dig up criminal history.

When applying for a job with a felony record, it can often be useful to run a background check on yourself, so you know what employers will see.

This can help prepare you to explain the charge and gain an employer’s understanding and maybe even sympathy.

5. Stay Professional

If you don’t get the job, it’s best to stay polite and professional. Your criminal history may not have been the reason, and you don’t want to burn any bridges while looking for new employment.

Thank them for their time and end things on a positive note.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it illegal to disqualify a candidate because of their criminal record?

State and federal laws prevent employers from blanket banning applicants with a criminal history. Some jobs can do this, like occupations that work with young children, but for most retail and restaurant jobs, you cannot be turned away solely based on your criminal record.

Does the type of felony conviction matter?

The type of conviction matters a lot. Many employers are willing to look past theft or DUIs. The most difficult crimes to get a job with are violent or sexually motivated crimes. So, convictions like assault, battery, rape, and similar offenses are more likely to disqualify you from a job.

Is it illegal to lie about my criminal record on an application?

It is not illegal to lie on an application unless you’re applying for a government position. But as mentioned, lying is a bad idea.

Odds are the employer will run a background check that will reveal your criminal history. And while they can’t disqualify you for your criminal record right away, they can dismiss your application because you lied about it.

What do background checks reveal?

Different levels of background checks will dig for different information. But standard employment background checks typically include education verification, criminal history including pending charges, employment history, citizen status, credit history, and identity verification.

Wrapping Up | Jobs that Hire Felons

Applying to jobs with a felony record can be stressful and frustrating. Luckily, many major companies and businesses have changed their policies, making it easier for felons to find employment. When applying for these jobs, it’s best to be open and honest. To recap a few of our tips for getting hired:

Always Apply
Be Honest
Prepare to Explain the Charge
Check Yourself
Be Professional

It might be frustrating but don’t get discouraged by one or two rejections. Many businesses are willing to employ you based on your skill set and personality, so keep trying.

Best of luck with your job search!

Title: Jobs and Companies that Hire Felons

Category: Job Search

Tags: job that hire felons, companies that hire felons, tips for getting a job with a felony, is it illegal to disqualify a candidate because of their criminal record, does the type of felony conviction matter

Co-Author: Reid is a contributor for theJub. He's an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile