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22 Verified Methods of Finding Jobs for Felons in Atlanta in 2023

By Last update July 20, 2022
Atlanta Georgia cityscape

Finding jobs for felons in Atlanta, Georgia, can seem almost impossible because your criminal record can work actively against you. We understand how big of a barrier that can be. But don’t worry. With a population of over 500,000 and more than 150,000 businesses — and with a little advice from us — you’ve got a solid shot at a local job! We’ve contacted over 1,000 companies directly to ask them about their hiring policy for people with felony records, so we have some good tips to land that crucial income.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely looking to get hired quickly. That’s where we come in. The Relaunch Pad team has taken the time to research the local economy and build a resource that allows you to easily find reliable work by focusing on companies most likely to hire former felons. From work at specific companies to temp agency jobs for felons in Atlanta, we’ve got you covered.

Jobs that hire felons in Atlanta

Atlanta Georgia downtown

We’ve included a search feature below that provides listings of those employers most likely to hire applicants with a criminal history in the Atlanta area. When you’re ready to search for jobs that hire felons in Atlanta, simply fill in fields such as job type or industry to narrow down the list. 

Top companies that hire felons in Atlanta

When looking for companies that hire felons in Atlanta, don’t limit yourself to just searching by industry. Sure, plenty of positions can be found in Atlanta’s hottest industries like health care, manufacturing, and logistics sectors, but you might miss out on similar positions in industries you hadn’t considered. 

Some jobs, such as temporary positions from staffing agencies, don’t require tons of education or experience. Same with logistics-based roles. Many of these jobs are available at entry-level positions, making them the easiest and quickest way to get hired. 

Continue reading to learn more about the companies where you have the best chance of getting hired today, or click on a company’s name to jump to its section. 

The Radisson

Louisiana Bistreaux

Rainbow Shops

Georgia-Pacific

Wayfield Foods

NCR

Ideal Landscape LLC

WestRock

Southern Company

Cricket Wireless

Before you begin your journey exploring new companies and positions, it’s important that your resume is current and highlights your talents, strengths, and abilities.

Not sure your resume has what it takes? Successful Release has created a guide designed specifically to help former felons get their resumes out there and noticed quickly by prospective employers. 

As promised, listed below are Atlanta’s top companies where you’ll have the best chance of landing a job with a conviction on your record.

The Radisson

Hotel chains in a city frequented by tourists might be an obvious play, but it’s a good one. Atlanta is home to several Radisson hotels so you should be able to match with one of them!

A few entry-level jobs you might be interested in include:

  • Housekeeping
  • Cook
  • Maintenance
  • Conceirge

Louisiana Bistreaux

Why choose between good food and a good work environment? A local favorite, Louisiana Bistreaux is a great restaurant offering all kinds of fare.

Some entry-level positions to get your foot in the door are: 

  • Cook
  • Host
  • Server
  • Dishwasher

Rainbow Shops

A local shopping chain for clothing of all types, Rainbow Shops has several locations to choose from if you’re looking to work in retail.

Entry-level jobs here consist of: 

  • Cashier
  • Retail Assistant
  • Merchandiser
  • Manager

Georgia-Pacific

A manufacturer and distributor of paper, packaging, building materials, and more, Georgia-Pacific is owned by the parent company Koch Enterprises. Believing people deserve a second chance, Kock Enterprises is known for hiring employees with a criminal background. They’ve even worked with those in the work-release program. If you have a conviction on your record, a job at Georgia-Pacific is a great way to get yourself back into the workforce.

Entry-level jobs you can find at Georgia-Pacific include:

  • Forklift Operators
  • Maintenance Technicians
  • Receptionist
  • Data Entry
  • Customer Care Representative

Wayfield Foods

This might be a familiar grocery chain for you since they’ve been around Atlanta since 1982. If not, you should know there are lots of locations across the city so you are certainly going to find one within transportation distance.

Entry-level jobs found at Wayfield Foods include:

  • Cashier
  • Janitor
  • Stocker
  • Produce Department

NCR

NCR manufactures self-service kiosks, ATMs, barcode scanners, check processing systems, and more. They have more than 34,000 employees in the finance, retail, hospitality, travel, and tech sectors. Whether you’re interested in an entry-level business position or would rather be hands-on in production, NCR is an opportunity at a fresh start after a conviction. 

Some entry-level jobs found at NCR are: 

  • Sales Representative
  • Field Service Technician
  • Receptionist
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Field Support

Ideal Landscape LLC

One of the larger landscaping and yard service businesses in the area, Ideal Landscape LLC caters to all types of clients and has a solid reputation. Doing hard, outdoor work might be just the ticket.

Entry-level jobs often available here include:

  • Landscaper
  • Administrative
  • Machine Operator
  • Maintenance

WestRock

The second-largest packaging company in America, WestRock offers adhesive labels, quick-service cartons, specialty labels, and other packaging solutions. At WestRock, you can find positions in sales, production and manufacturing, maintenance and tech services, and more. 

WestRock’s entry-level positions include:

  • Forklift Driver
  • Maintenance
  • Driver
  • Customer Service
  • Sales Associate

Southern Company

Headquartered in Atlanta, Southern Company provides gas and electric utility services to more than nine million customers. A job with this company comes with health benefits, life insurance, maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, paid time off, and more. If employment with a large utility company interests you, an entry-level position is a good place to start.

Some entry-level positions here are:

  • Meter Specialist
  • Warehouse Associate
  • Office Assistant
  • Maintenance
  • Mechanic

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless, a wireless service provider based in Atlanta, is owned by AT&T. This is great news for former felons. AT&T doesn’t ask for criminal history information on its applications and is known for hiring employees with criminal records. Following the lead of their parent company, Cricket Wireless applications are also void of prior convictions questions, making a fresh, new start possible for former felons. 

Entry-level Cricket Wireless jobs consist of:

  • Sales Representative
  • Retail Sales Associate,
  • Call Center Customer Service 
  • Technology Support
  • Installation Technician

Trucking jobs for felons in Atlanta

A job within the trucking industry is a great opportunity for former felons. These companies are known for hiring employees with complicated backgrounds, and some will even train you for the position. 

If trucking jobs for felons in Atlanta interests you, here are some of the top trucking companies:

  • Hub Group Trucking
  • Southeastern Freight Lines
  • ABF Freight
  • AAA Cooper Transportation
  • Saia LTL Freight

Warehouse jobs for felons in Atlanta

Warehouse companies are frequently looking to fill entry-level positions in their warehouse, shipping, and receiving departments. Forklift drivers, pickers, packers, and sorting positions are often in high demand and a great way for former felons to get back to work. 

Check out some local warehouse jobs for felons in Atlanta here:

Temp agency jobs for felons in Atlanta

Staffing agencies offer temporary positions in many settings. These jobs are perfect for those who aren’t sure what industry they’re interested in and for people returning to the workforce after a conviction. There are several employment agency jobs for felons in Atlanta to help get you back on your feet.

We’ve narrowed down the list to bring you the top temp agencies in Atlanta here:

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Atlanta

The city of Atlanta, along with the rest of the state of Georgia, has had Ban the Box laws since 2015. These laws say employers must consider the applicant’s qualifications and work history and not decline the application based solely on the person’s criminal history. 

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Atlanta are in place to help justice-involved individuals get back on their feet and become productive members of society. Those with a criminal background and in need of assistance can often find resources for housing, financial aid, education, food, and more. 

The following resources are available to former felons in Atlanta:

  • Georgia Department of Corrections Reentry and Cognitive Programs (RCP) Unit
    • Mission: RCP establishes effective methods that permeate all levels of affected agencies and organizations to reduce recidivism through collaborative partnership that support offender placement into evidence-based interventions and continue through offender transition (reentry) to the community. Reentry is a process of transition that should begin when the offender enters our system or at pre-sentence. Reentry provides effective opportunities for offenders to achieve positive change and to be a more pro-social contributor to society.
    • Services offered: Employment, Housing, Family, Legal
  • Transitional Housing for Offender Reentry (THOR) Directory
    • Mission: To serve the citizens of Georgia by exercising the constitutional authority of executive clemency through informed decision-making, thereby ensuring public safety, protecting victims’ rights, and providing offenders with opportunities for positive change.
    • Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Clothing and Household, Education, Employment, Food, Housing, Legal, Medical, Mental Health
  • Georgia Center for Opportunity
    • Mission: Georgia Center for Opportunity’s Prisoner Reentry Initiative began as an attempt to understand the driving force behind Georgia’s high recidivism rate and develop solutions to reduce this number. From July 2013 to June 2014, Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) convened monthly meetings of prisoner reentry experts from the nonprofit, government, academic, and private sectors. These meetings focused on identifying barriers to successful prisoner reentry and solutions to remove those barriers. With the guidance of these experts, GCO has published reports and advocated for solutions that will help people returning from prison obtain employment, connect with their families, and rejoin their communities.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment, Family
  • Social Services Database
    • Mission: An excellent resource that lists numerous social services in Georgia. Includes listings for housing, employment, legal services, training, and more.
    • Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Employment, Education, Family, Food, Housing, Legal, Medical, Mental Health
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Leah Smith
Reentry Educator

Leah is a Reentry Educator with The Relaunch Pad. A recovering addict and mother of three, her two oldest adult children are dealing with their own addictions and problems, one being recently released from prison and the other is currently incarcerated. Her goal is to give hope to not only her own children, but to others in similar situations.