Locally owned businesses have a lot more freedom to hire whomever they choose to hire and are less likely to run criminal background checks, which could be a big advantage for you.
The restaurant industry is a great place to learn and grow on the job. You can quickly move up the ranks from a minimum wage fast-food worker to a well-paid fine-dining chef.
From stocking shelves, unloading inventory, cleaning, and maintenance to being a cashier, working in the deli or cafe, bagging groceries, order picking, and customer service.
There are many job opportunities in the tech industry including data entry, sales, cable assembly, line installation, communications, tech support, software development, and web design.
Hotels are always hiring people for their housekeeping and maintenance staff, and many of the bigger chain companies are willing to hire felons to fill these roles.
The US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Canadian Armed Forces have all hired people with criminal records.
If you don’t mind long-distance travel and being alone on the road, many trucking and transportation companies offer on-the-job training and typically pay well.
If you have a reliable vehicle and a clean driving record, apply for gig jobs that provide flexible hours, decent pay, independence, and some companies offer sign-up bonuses.
If you like cars but don’t want to work as a driver, you could fix and service vehicles if you have the right skills and experience.
Between electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, woodworkers, construction sites, roofers, HVAC, and general labor needs, there are many different job opportunities.
Factories exist all over and they are always looking to hire. It is hard work and the pay isn’t always great, but it’s steady and offers opportunities to grow.
Companies have a lot of inventory and require staff to load and unload these boxes, arrange shipments, verify records and deliveries, and stock shelves.
If you are physically fit, don’t mind hard work or getting dirty, and live in the right area or are willing to move or travel, you might consider a job in the oil and gas industry.
A former felon can find it very rewarding to give back to their community, which is why many former inmates end up working or volunteering with community service agencies.
Through a temp agency, you will be matched with a felon-friendly employer that is willing to give you a second chance.
Do you have skills that you can use to start your own business? If so, self-employment could be a great option for you where your criminal record likely won’t be a hurdle.