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We know looking for a job with a criminal record is not easy. This article was created to help you find jobs for felons in Charlotte, North Carolina. It will give you information on the best local companies that are most likely to hire people with a criminal record.
This article should save you a lot of time and unnecessary frustration. We’ve personally contacted over 1,000 companies to identify what their most recent hiring practices for former felons are. Based on our own experiences finding jobs with criminal records, we then compared this with the local businesses in town to find the most likely ones to hire someone with a more complicated background.
Jobs that hire felons in Charlotte
Charlotte is located in Mecklenburg County and is the most populated city in North Carolina, sitting at over 850,000 people. It is the 15th largest city in the U.S. The economy is large, with over 80,000 companies. As a major population center, the service sector is also big, which can provide a lot of opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds.
Included below is a job search tool for the area. Fill in fields like job type or industry to narrow your search for jobs that hire felons in Charlotte.
Top companies that hire felons in Charlotte
What companies are the most likely to hire someone with a criminal record in Charlotte? The economy of Charlotte is dominated by banking and health care, but transportation, retail, and energy are also big employers in the area. These industries will likely have a lot of jobs, but make sure you look for roles that best fit your skills and experience.
If you are having a tough time finding a job that fits your abilities, then going back to basics and examining entry-level jobs is a great strategy. Most often, entry-level jobs have the highest probability of success for former felons to get hired. You should also check out temp agency jobs for felons in Charlotte because they often have opportunities that require minimal education and experience.
Company hiring practices are not always easy to determine. This article contains a list of some of the largest companies that hire felons in Charlotte. Click on the name to go right to that section, or continue to read on.
An up-to-date and solid resume is crucial for any job search. Need help with that? We have got you covered! We have created a guide to making a resume for people with a record.
Below is the list of companies you’ll have the greatest chance of getting a job with in and around Charlotte, North Carolina:
Compass Group
Compass Group is a leader in the contract food service and hospitality industries. From their website, “If you’ve been hungry and away from home, chances are you’ve tasted Compass Group’s delicious food and experienced our outstanding service.” They employ over 1,200 people in the Charlotte area and have a wide variety of opportunities.
Promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Building Maintenance Worker
- Warehouse
- Food Transporter / Delivery Driver
- Groundskeeper
- Cashier
B and R Auto Repair
A promising role as a mechanic can be found here. B&R Auto Repair has a solid reputation in the community and is a great place to restart your career.
Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Mechanic
- General Labor
- Administration
- Technician
The King’s Kitchen
Not only is The King’s Kitchen an amazing place to eat, it’s also felon-friendly! Keep in mind that restaurants are demanding work environment and make sure you’re up to the task.
Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Cook
- Server
- Bartender
- Line Cook
Metrolina Greenhouses
Okay, okay. This one is a little ways out of town. That said, you can take a bus to Metrolina Greenhouses from downtwn Charlotte in under an hour. Not so bad, especially when you’re heading to work in a greenhouse with all the plants and calm atmosphere. If you’ve got a green thumb — or want to develop one — this place deserves your attention.
Promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- General Labor
- Cashier
- Assistant Grower
- Seeding Line Operator
Sealed Air
Sealed Air produces packing materials such as cryovac food and bubble wrap. They have over 200 locations in the U.S. and are headquartered in Charlotte. They employ over 1,400 people locally and have lots of good job opportunities, especially if you have some office and/or basic computer skills.
Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Production Operator
- Customer Service Partner
- Customer & Commercial Data Specialist
- Deal Entry Specialist
- Administrative Assistant
Wright Traffic Center
Sometimes being able to do multiple physical jobs is just what the doctor ordered. If you find yourself looking for something in the construction industry, consider Wright Traffic Center. As long as you can pass a drug test and have a valid driver’s licence, you can apply as soon as your resume’s ready.
Promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Cone Duty
- Excavator
- General Labor
- Asphalt Installer
Osmose Utilities
This utility provider serves a greater area than just Charlotte, it’s true, but they’re also a major local hirer. I you’ve got an electrician background, you’re practically a shoe-in. They pay well and are consistent in scheduling. Will that fit your needs?
Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Utility Pole Installer
- General Laborer
- Utility Pole Inspector
- Electrician
Cato
Cato is a retailer of women’s fashions and accessories. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and they employ over 700 people locally. From their website, “A family-owned business from the beginning, we bring high-quality fashion and accessories, at affordable prices – all the time. With over 1,000 stores in 30 states…”
Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- General Warehouse Person/Merchandise Processor
- Merchandise Payables Clerk
- Merchandise Assistant
- Call Center Coordinator, Store Maintenance
- Call Center Representative
Dole Food Company
We all know Dole, but did you know you can work for them in Charlotte? They have a strong local presence that requires a large workforce. Put them on your job search list if you don’t mind physical labor or production roles.
Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Stacker
- Packer
- Sanitation Technician
- Maintenance Parts Clerk
Microsoft
Microsoft has a large corporate office in Charlotte that employs several hundred people. If you have some education or experience in technology, then Microsoft would be a good place to look. They support Ban the Box and the Fair Chance Business Pledge, and state that they consider at all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal history.
Some promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Support Engineer
- Support Planner
- Manufacturing
- Sales Associate: Small & Medium Business and Education
Trucking jobs for felons in Charlotte
Trucking is a major industry throughout the United States, well-known for hiring people with criminal records. Some companies will even train you from the ground up to be a trucker.
If you’re looking for trucking jobs for felons in Charlotte, here are some of the top contenders:
- Diamler Trucks
- United Parcel Service (UPS)
- U.S. Foods Inc.
- USA Truck
Warehouse jobs for felons in Charlotte
There are many roles at a warehouse. From lift operators to administrative roles, a variety of skill sets are needed to keep warehouses running smoothly. And you don’t have to work at a warehouse, necessarily. The company just needs to have a warehouse or shipping department.
Here are some of the top warehouse jobs for felons in Charlotte:
Temp agency jobs for felons in Charlotte
Temporary or contract jobs can be a great option for people with hiring challenges. Or maybe you just need something short term to get you by. Staffing agencies or temporary agencies are a good source of jobs for former felons. There are a number of employment agency jobs for felons in Charlotte.
Here are some of the agencies in the Charlotte area. There are others, these are just some major ones:
Second chance and job training programs for felons in Charlotte
Unfortunately, North Carolina is not A Ban the Box state. This means employers can still ask prospective employees about their criminal history, versus just looking at a candidate’s qualifications.
The Charlotte area does have some second chance and job training programs for felons in Charlotte. These programs provide resources such as employment assistance, legal aid, medical services, financial aid and information, education, and more for former felons.
Resources for former felons near Charlotte:
- Exodus Homes
- Mission: Exodus Homes is a faith-based United Way agency, offering transitional to long term supportive housing for homeless recovering people returning to our community from treatment programs and prison. Exodus Homes has a comprehensive array of services to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our residents. Exodus Homes currently has 63 beds with 8 program locations.
- Services offered: Addiction and recovery, Education, Employment, Medical, and Mental Health
- Barnabus House
- Mission: Barnabas House is a Christian residential program that prepares released inmates to reintegrate into society and to become productive members of the community.
- Services offered: Housing, Spiritual Services
- Crossroads Reentry
- Mission: Crossroads Reentry helps people leave behind the incarceration life and the incarceration lifestyle.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Education, Employment, Family, Housing, Legal, Medical, Mental Health, Transportation
- MenTouring Our Brothers
- Mission: MenTouring Our Brothers, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preventing young minority males from entering the juvenile and criminal justice systems and supporting those who are transitioning from the systems by equipping and empowering them through “mentouring” relationships, educational and enrichment programs, and employment.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Clothing and Housing, Education, Employment, Family, Housing, Legal, Mental Health
