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19 Concrete Ways to Find Jobs for Felons in Raleigh in 2023

By Last update May 21, 2022
Raleigh North Carolina cityscape

Finding a job with a felony on your record is notoriously challenging. The tool in front of you right now has been composed with the specific purpose of lightening the burden of finding jobs for felons in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The 2019 census bureau estimates that there are just under half a million jobs in Wake County (home of Raleigh). Clearly, many people, some of whom also have a complicated background, are finding work. 

To help make the task of finding a job a little easier, we reached over a thousand companies to learn more about their hiring practices so that we can accurately report on their hiring practices.

The idea behind this guide is to highlight companies that are most likely to hire people with your unique background. 

Many of the members of our staff are also personally familiar with what it takes to look for a job with a record. We know the struggle, and want to make it a little easier for you!

Jobs that hire felons in Raleigh

Below is a search feature that is specific to the Raleigh area. The listings have been selected not just for their size, but also because they are the most likely employers to hire former felons. Fill in the fields to narrow down your search for jobs that hire felons in Raleigh.

Top companies that hire felons in Raleigh

We found that Raleigh has many jobs within the college education system. Several universities serve as the biggest employers in the area, and all of them provide a large quantity of entry-level jobs. 

For those that cannot, for one reason or another, work within the university system, there are a number of good retail and warehouse jobs available. 

The list below cuts out some of the uncertainty that comes from looking for work, by listing employers that are offering entry level jobs in a range of different categories. 

Big Ed’s Restaurant

Lonerider Brewery

Associated Scaffolding

Fred Smith Company

Food Lion

Red Hat

Cisco Systems

Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina

Major Clean-up LLC

Of course, finding the jobs is great, but it’s only a half measure if your other ducks aren’t in a row. Before you dive too deep into this guide, increase your odds of success by making sure that your resume is in good shape.

Done? Alright, let’s take a look at some companies that hire felons in Raleigh.

Big Ed’s Restaurant

You might have eaten here yourself! Big Ed’s Restaurant has been around for years and could be a great source of employment for you now.

Here are some entry level jobs you should expect to encounter a:

  • Cashier
  • Server
  • Cook
  • Dishwasher

Lonerider Brewery

Working in a brewery isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, but there are lots of benefits to doing so. Plus there’s a ton to learn about what goes into creating that perfect beer.

Entry-level jobs at Lonerider include:

  • Delivery Driver
  • Customer Service
  • Bar Events and Promotional Planner
  • Bartender

Associated Scaffolding

Associated Scaffolding is an industrious construction support company. They provide scaffolding and erection services to job sites all over the city and are in frequent need of workers.

You may find entry-level jobs here in the following categories:

  • Truck Driver
  • Scaffold Builder
  • Construction Laborer
  • Warehouse Associate

Fred Smith Company

A well-known name in the construction industry, Fred Smith Company started off as a small family affair and has grown to over 1200 employees. You could be among them if you can show them you’re family-oriented yourself and have the right attitude for the job.

Entry level jobs at Fred Smith Company include:

  • Laborer
  • Administration
  • Diver
  • Installer
  • Asphalt Technician

Food Lion

Food Lion is a grocery store that benefits from a heck of a cool name. All totaled, there are about 1,000 Food Lion locations, but the company got their start in North Carolina. Like any retail location, they provide lots of entry-level positions that may serve as a good hiring opportunity for people with a complicated background. 

Entry level jobs at Food Lion might include:

  • Clerk
  • Custodian
  • Stocker
  • Deli Clerk

Red Hat

Software your game? Red Hat might be the name you need for your job application. They’re well-established and thrive on change.

Jobs include:

  • Software Engineer
  • IT Support Engineer
  • Application Platform Sales Specialist
  • Account Manager

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems is a tech company that has positions all over the country, with a big presence in Raleigh. Think services hookup and maintenance like installing internet or helping solve network issues. 

Here are some of the entry-level jobs you can expect to come across at Cisco Systems:

  • Custodian
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Technician
  • Installer

Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina

Blue Cross and Blue Shield is a massive insurance corporation with locations all over the United States. While “insurance” may not sound particularly entry-level, Blue Cross Blue Shield does have a surprisingly large number of jobs that are appropriate for people with limited experience. 

They include:

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Custodian
  • Customer Service Representative
  • IT

Major Clean-up LLC

Do you like organizing and cleaning? Major Clean-up LLC is a local cleaning service that also provides organizational services to personal and professional clients. If you can keep things ship-shape, you might really enjoy working with this company.

Some of the most approachable jobs include:

  • Residential Cleaner
  • House Stager/Design
  • Commercial Cleaner
  • Organizer

Trucking jobs for felons in Raleigh

Trucking is a great industry for former felons because you can get hired without a ton of experience, and the jobs usually have good pay. 

If you’re looking for trucking jobs for felons in Raleigh, here are a few places to direct your attention:

  • JB Hunt Transport
  • EMCEE Driver Personnel
  • CDL Local
  • J&K Trucking

Warehouse jobs for felons in Raleigh

Warehouse jobs are also great for former felons because the pay is good, there are usually lots of hours, and not a ton of experience is necessary. 

Below you will find some warehouse jobs for felons in Raleigh:

  • Amazon
  • LB&B
  • Advance Auto Parts
  • American Freight Furniture

Temp agency jobs for felons in Raleigh

Sometimes you want (or have no choice but to find) a job that is of a more temporary nature. If that is your position, temp agency jobs for felons in Raleigh is definitely the way to go. Indeed, there are lots of employment agency jobs for felons in Raleigh.

Some of the biggest staffing agencies in the area are:

  • Temporary Solutions
  • Frankel Staffing Partners
  • Adecco Staffing
  • Ultimate Staffing Services

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Raleigh

North Carolina, by means of an executive order issued by the governor, Banned the Box for all state government positions. This means that if you are applying for a job in state government in Raleigh, you won’t be asked if you have any felony convictions on the application. 

By itself, this is very good news. Better yet, there are also plenty of second chance and job training programs for felons in Raleigh that help former felons with training that might help them look for jobs and acclimate to the conditions of their new life.

Resources include: 

  • Inmates to Entrepreneurs
    • Mission: Our mission is to assist people with a criminal background in starting their own business by providing resources and mentorship.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment
  • Community Success Initiative (CSI)
    • Mission: Helping individuals and communities move from where they are to where they want to be.
    • Services offered: Education, Family, Spiritual Services
  • North Carolina Department of Public Safety Reentry Program
    • Mission: Safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through prevention, protection, and preparation with integrity and honor.
    • Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Education, Employment, Housing, Medical, Mental Health, Spiritual Services
  • Benevolence Farm
    • Mission: Benevolence Farm seeks to cultivate leadership, promote sustainable livelihoods, and reap structural change with individuals impacted by the criminal justice system in North Carolina.
    • Services offered: Clothing and Household, Education, Employment, Food, Housing, Medical
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Paul is a Reentry Educator with The Relaunch Pad who lives in the midwest. He has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and is dedicated to providing accurate and insightful information to former offenders who are seeking employment.