Top 30 Felony Friendly Jobs | Jobs For Felons
Top 30 Felony Friendly Jobs | Jobs For Felons. Jobs that are felony friendly include a variety of positions in fields like delivery, retail, the service industry, landscaping, gardening, and community outreach and service positions. Your responsibilities differ depending on the industry in which you work, with some felon friendly positions requiring more manual labor and others requiring some more technical skill.
Many felons become discouraged when applying for jobs because they are always turned down. There are several reasons that this happens; the most common reason is because you are applying to the wrong type of companies.
What Are the Qualifications to Get a Job That Is Felony Friendly?
The qualifications to get a job that is felony friendly depend on the type of work you do and your specific duties. While you are still in prison, it is good to try to access job training and learn more about reentry programs that can assist former inmates with life and employment skills.
Top 10 Felony Friendly Careers
1. Fast Food Restaurants
As not really one of the best high paying careers for felons but it is still a job that will pay you. 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.
2. Newspaper Contractor
Most large newspapers contract out their delivery to individuals. These jobs start very early in the morning. 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.
3. 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. It also allows you to learn a particular trade while earning money.
4. Landscaping
This is 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.
5. 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 job for felons 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.
6. 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.
7. Window Cleaner
If you are not afraid of heights, then this may be a job for you. You can clean windows with a felony on your record. All you will do is clean the glass on commercial buildings. This could include being put into a harness for safety. As a window cleaner you will use sponges, cloths, and brushes to clean windows. You do not need further education or certifications to begin this job. All you need to do is apply as you would any other job.
8. 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.
9. Factory Worker
When you apply for a job in a factory, there is generally no prior experience or qualifications. This means that it is an entry-level job. However, factory work is much more physically demanding than other jobs. This is true, however; not all factory jobs are super physically demanding.
10. Entrepreneur
The best thing you can do is to work for yourself. As an entrepreneur, you will be the one calling the shots. And if you are ready to branch out professionally and begin a fulfilling life for yourself, starting a business is a great way to do that.
List Of Felony Friendly Jobs / Careers
1. Stock Clerk or Order Filler
Large stores, warehouses, and distribution centers employ many people to help unload trucks, stock shelves, fill customers’ orders, set up displays, and organize stock inventories. You may have to work early in the morning or late at night, but this kind of job can be fun in its own way. A felony conviction for theft, violence, or drug use may cause employers to not want to hire you. But if you can show good references and prove that you’ve matured as a person, you may have a chance at landing a position.
2. Dog Trainer
Being around domesticated animals can be good for your mental health, especially if you’ve had to spend time in prison. Dogs are particularly worthy companions, which is why they are incredibly popular with many pet owners. Many dog owners will pay good money for help with training their canine companions to follow commands, stay well-behaved, or even perform basic tricks. That’s why this industry sometimes offers enjoyable jobs for felony offenders who don’t have violent backgrounds.
3. Barber
Knowing how to cut and style men’s hair, give clean shaves, and trim beards is a good set of skills to have. You might even be able to offer a mobile barbering service and go to your clients’ homes or workplaces to make things more convenient for them.
4. Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Every large warehouse and big-box store requires clerks to handle and prepare incoming and outgoing merchandise or other materials. They tend to verify records, double-check items being delivered, and arrange shipments. It’s a good job for certain kinds of ex-offenders who can be trusted with a lot of important details.
5. Auto Glass Installer or Repairer
Most vehicle owners eventually have to get their windshields fixed or replaced. So the demand for auto glass services tends to stay strong. One way to learn the required skills is to take an auto body program at a trade school, which may qualify you for additional kinds of positions in the industry.
6. Construction Laborer
Many of the lower-skilled jobs in the construction industry are good for ex-cons who may not be able to pass strict background checks. Since you don’t need a vocational license for basic laborer jobs, some employers in this sector may be willing to overlook your convictions if they feel that you’ll work hard and not cause any problems. Your role may include assignments like digging trenches, cleaning work sites, erecting scaffolding, and using basic tools for other routine tasks.
7. Auto Mechanic
As one of the felony friendly jobs, fixing cars and trucks requires special skills, but you may only need a year or less of training at an automotive trade school to begin this type of career. A diesel mechanic program can offer similar benefits to those who prefer to work on heavy-duty vehicles. The auto service industry has a long history of providing jobs for people with felony convictions.
8. Solar Energy Technician
The growing field of solar energy offers the possibility of providing good second-chance jobs for convicted felons. As the prices of solar panels and similar technologies continue to drop, their demand keeps rising. It often takes skilled, trained solar energy technicians to properly install them on rooftops or in other locations where they can be most effective.
9. Substance Abuse Counselor
As someone who has made life-altering mistakes and paid a heavy price, you may have great insights to share with others who need help making better life choices. Many social agencies have discovered that ex-cons and former addicts are sometimes very good at such jobs. Hiring convicted felons who’ve had their own behavioral or substance abuse issues allows those agencies to offer help from people who can truly empathize with the challenges of addiction.
10. Carpenter
The carpentry trade is often a good source of opportunities for ex-offenders. You can work your way up to becoming a journeyman carpenter with proper vocational training. Just be sure to research the licensing requirements in your state to see if your felony conviction will be a problem. Many carpentry jobs that hire convicted felons are offered by ex-cons who have built successful businesses in the trade and want to give back.
11. Oil and Gas Rotary Drill Operator
Like derrick operators, rotary drill operators are known for having labor-intensive jobs. Felons can get jobs if they are willing to learn, work hard, and live in remote regions. (Many oil and gas wells are far away from large towns or cities.) You may get to help set up and control large drills that remove oil, gas, or core samples from deep underground.
12. Cook
A cook is also one of the felony friendly jobs. The culinary industry has a strong track record of being a good source of jobs for ex-cons. Many restaurants don’t perform background checks. And if you prove that you can be counted upon, then this industry often provides opportunities for moving into higher, better-paying positions.
13. Delivery Driver
Being a good driver can be very valuable in the job market. As long as you haven’t committed theft or any serious traffic infractions (such as driving while intoxicated), you might be able to land a job that involves picking up and delivering packages or merchandise.
14. Painter
The walls of nearly every building require paint as part of their structural integrity and visual appeal. And many other structures and pieces of large equipment need paint for the same reasons. Painting is often a good job for convicted felons who can demonstrate trustworthiness and need to start making money in something they can learn fairly quickly.
15. Welder
The welding trade sometimes offers good employment for convicted felons. Plus, welders are needed across multiple industries, such as construction and manufacturing. And the training that is required to get started often takes less than a year.
16. Commercial Truck Driver
Commercial trucking jobs for felons often become available when transportation companies experience a shortage of workers due to a period of strong economic growth. You will need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). You might want to approach smaller transportation companies first. (CDL jobs for felons are sometimes easier to get with small trucking companies since they may be less likely to run background checks or screen out qualified ex-cons.)
17. HVAC/R Technician
Heating, air conditioning, and good ventilation are often essential for the health and comfort of people who work and reside indoors. That’s why most buildings in America need effective climate-control systems. And many companies rely on commercial refrigeration systems to keep their perishable products at the right temperature. Since the demand usually remains strong for qualified HVAC/R techs, this field sometimes makes jobs for ex-convicts available.
18. Plumber
The residential and commercial plumbing industry sometimes provides good job opportunities for felons. However, before starting plumbing training, you should check your state’s vocational licensing requirements to ensure your specific convictions don’t disqualify you. For instance, some states may ban people from pursuing the residential plumbing trade if they have prior convictions for violent crimes, theft, or sexual offenses. But some plumbing contractors are willing to hire felons if they truly want to learn the trade and will stay loyal to their companies for several years.
19. Electrician
Electrician training programs offer another path to secure and good-paying jobs for felons. You just need to investigate the licensing requirements in your state since certain felony convictions may disqualify you. However, trades such as electrical work are worth looking into. You’ll need extra training to become a journeyman electrician, but most of that training will be paid.
20. Military
Some people might think that they can’t join the military with a felony conviction, that is not always the case. The military looks at a variety of factors when deciding whether or not it will let you join their ranks.
If you want to pursue a military career with a felony conviction on your background report, speaking with your recruiter is the first step in your journey. For obvious reasons, the military prefers recruiting people of high moral standards. Recruiting people with a strong sense of morality reduces the number of disciplinary issues the military faces over the long run.
List of Top 10 High Paying Jobs For Felons
- Entrepreneur.
- Truck Driver.
- Military
- HVAC Technician.
- Welding
- Marketing
- Oil Field Jobs.
- Carpenter.
- Electrician.
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