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19 Bona Fide Ways of Finding Jobs for Felons in Nashville in 2023

By Last update July 23, 2022
Nashville Tennessee city skyline

If you are reading this, it’s probably because you are all too familiar with the challenge of finding work with a felony conviction. This resource has been compiled with the goal of helping you find jobs for felons in Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is a large city with nearly 700,000 people. While there are plenty of jobs to go around, it can still be very difficult to find employers open to hiring former felons. It’s helpful when you know where to start looking.  

We’ve reached out to over 1,000 employers to ask about their hiring practices. Resources like this one have been carefully crafted to help you avoid wasting time on dead ends. Many of our own writers have been in the same position you now find yourself in, trying to find employment with a complicated past. We are well aware of the challenges you face! Read on for some companies that hire felons in Nashville. 

Jobs that hire felons in Nashville

Nashville Tennessee cityscape

The section below includes a search feature designed to help you navigate listings for the most likely employers for former felons. You can fill in the fields to get a more refined list of opportunities of jobs that hire felons in Nashville, organized by categories like job type or industry. 

Top companies that hire felons in Nashville

All of the opportunities listed below have been selected specifically because they are most likely to hire someone with a criminal record. You will find that most of the jobs below fall into the “entry-level” category, as these positions are often more receptive to former offenders. Click on the company name below to jump right to them, or read on for the complete list. 

Sunshine Landromat

Vanderbilt University

Saint Thomas Health

United Apparel Liquidators

Nashville Auto Repair

Hatch Show Print

Cracker Barrel

The Turnip Truck

6th Man Movers

Nissan

Remember that a good resume is one one of the most important factors that decides if you will get a job or not. If you aren’t so confident about your resume, take a look at this handy guide to resume building for former offenders!

Now that that’s done, let’s take a look at some great Nashville area jobs!

Sunshine Laundromat

Maybe a laundromat wasn’t first on your list, but it made the top of ours for a reason. While there are others in the city that you could certainly find work at, we think Sunshine Laundromat is a great place to start because they operate more than one location and have good hours. Surely you can find a shift that works for you!

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Cleaner
  • Maintenance
  • Cashier
  • Alterations

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt is a well known university in the Nashville area. They are also a significant Nashville employer, offering roles for all types of work. 

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Custodian
  • Administrative assistant
  • Food service
  • Groundskeeping

Saint Thomas Health

Saint Thomas Health is a hospital in the Nashville area. Like most hospitals, it is also a rich source of entry-level positions that may suit the needs of former offenders looking for work. Here are some positions you might come across there. 

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Custodian
  • Administrative assistant
  • Food service
  • Maintenance 

United Apparel Liquidators

One of the larger retailers in the area, United Apparel is a great spot to pop your resume if you’re looking for immediate work. They’re often hiring, especially during tourist season, so keep an eye out for jobs that fit your needs!

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Cashier
  • Stocker
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Custodial

Nashville Auto Repair

How about working at a mechanic shop? Nashville Auto Repair has a good reputation and has more than one location in town to work from. If you’ve got previous experience, you’ll have an even stronger chance.

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Mechanic
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Janitorial
  • Administration

Hatch Show Print

Founded in 1879, Hatch Show Print is a renouned design and print shop here in Nashville. They perform hundreds of custom jobs every year and require lots of staff to keep projects running smoothly. If you’re bringing the right attitude to the table, they could be the right place for you.

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Designer
  • Typesetting and Layout
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Maintenance
  • Printer

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Anyone who has ever been on a road trip is well acquainted with the restaurant chain, Cracker Barrel. They have a large presence in Nashville, and may serve as a good opportunity for people with experience in the food service industry. 

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Host
  • Server
  • Busser
  • Cook
  • Dishwasher

The Turnip Truck

Possibly the best natural foods store in Nashville, The Turnip Truck is happily frequently hiring. They’ve got a lot of work to do in a short time, so if you’re up to the physical task, consider sending in your application!

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Cashier
  • Stocker
  • Hot Bar and Kitchen Prep
  • Produce Clerk

6th Man Movers

A moving company is a great spot to find work if you can prove you’re responsible and reliable. There’s a lot of heavy lifting involved, so make sure you’re ready for that before you apply.

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Administration
  • Mover
  • Driver
  • Customer Service Representative

Nissan

Nissan is a major US-based car manufacturing company. Due to the nature of the company, most of the entry-level jobs will probably take place in the factory. However, there are other potential opportunities as well.

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • Factory Line Worker
  • Customer Service
  • Custodian
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Mechanic

Trucking jobs for felons in Nashville

The trucking industry can be a great place for former offenders to find high paying jobs with tons of hours. Not only does trucking typically feature above average compensation, but it also tends to be an industry that is open to hiring former offenders. 

Here is a list of some trucking jobs for felons in Nashville. 

  • Sysco
  • M&M Distributors
  • Imperfect Foods
  • Greyline Transportation

Warehouse jobs for felons in Nashville

Warehouse work is another field that tends to offer entry-level positions that provide high compensation. And, like the trucking industry, you may find that your background doesn’t hold you back so much as you look for warehouse jobs for felons in Nashville.

Examples of entry-level jobs here:

  • FedEx
  • Associated Wholesale Grocers
  • Bargain Hunt
  • Hester and Cook

Temp agency jobs for felons in Nashville

Sometimes you will find that shorter term work suits you best. In those situations, employment agency jobs for felons in Nashville will be a great opportunity. 

These are the top temp agency jobs for felons in Nashville. 

  • Randstad
  • Adecco
  • Star Industries
  • DM Consulting Group

Second chance and job training programs for felons in Nashville

Nashville has adopted a Ban the Box policy on metro government jobs. This means if you apply for a job in local government, they won’t be asking you about prior offenses on the application. 

Ban the Box laws are a great start, but they also aren’t the only second chance and job training programs for felons in Nashville. Below, you will find some great organizations that can serve as a resource for you. 

  • Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry (TPOM)
    • Mission: Reuniting with God, family and community.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment, Family, Housing, Legal, Mental Health
  • Mending Hearts
    • Mission: To provide shelter, hope and healing to women who are homeless due to addiction, co-occurring disorders, mental or emotional disorders.
    • Services offered: Family, Housing, Mental Health
  • Be A Helping Hand
    • Mission: Is to help underserved families by providing safe affordable housing and person-centered programs that will empower the communities we serve.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment, Family
  • Nashville Opportunities Industrialization Center
    • Mission: Is to provide education, training, counseling and job placement services for citizens of the community who are disadvantaged economically, educationally, and socially.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment
  • TRICOR
    • Mission: Is to prepare Offenders for success after release.
    • Services offered: Education, Employment
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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.