Back to list

22 Legit Methods to Find Jobs for Felons in New Orleans for 2023

By Last update May 19, 2022
New Orleans Louisiana

Are you searching for jobs for felons in New Orleans, Louisiana? Then, we have the information you need about the biggest employers with entry-level positions. Relaunch Pad reaches out to companies to ask about their policies for hiring people with criminal records.

We want to locate the most felon-friendly employers so we’ve called over 1,000 American employers. What drives us? Many of us have criminal records ourselves, so we’ve been in your shoes. And, our research tells us there are some decent options in the area.

New Orleans has about 390,000 citizens. It’s known around the world as a tourist destination with its unique restaurants and annual festivals. When it comes to finding work, it’s important to know that New Orleans is a major port city that’s an economic hub for the Gulf Coast region. Lots of potential here!

Jobs that hire felons in New Orleans

New Orleans Louisiana

We know our search feature can help you find jobs that hire felons in New Orleans. Simply type in what kind of work you’d like — for example, hospitality or trucking. Our system will quickly link to companies that are hiring in the city.

Top companies that hire felons in New Orleans

We’ve listed below the top ten companies that hire felons in New Orleans. You’ll find a real cross section of entry-level jobs in different industries. So, there should be a few companies that you want to add to your list.

Our advice is always to apply to the largest companies first since they’ll be hiring more often. They’ll also have more variety in positions, so that means more entry-level opportunities.

Remember to think about the kind of work you like to do. Maybe you’ve had some job experience and you’d like something that you know you’ll be good at. Familiarity is good, but don’t forget that the skills you learn in one type of work can be helpful in a totally different job. For instance, if you’re great with people, then it doesn’t matter if it’s in a call center or behind a reception desk — your skills will show.

Let’s get you going. Click on the following business links:

Creole Cuisine

Andersen Windows

Braum’s Dairy

Campbell’s Soup

Hotard Coaches

Goodman Manufacturing

Hilton

Entergy Corp

Gootee Construction

Mullin Landscape Associates

Read our guide to making a good resume with a criminal record. It has everything you need from A to Z!

Creole Cuisine

Local restaurants in the French Quarter that are focused on New Orleans cuisine. Serving experience is a plus, but seasonal employment means an employer expects to train most skills. You’ll have no barriers for your skill set as long as you have the right attitude.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Host
  • Server
  • Cook
  • Dishwasher

Andersen Windows

If you enjoy working in the construction industry, what about a job with one of the country’s biggest window and door manufacturers? Andersen Windows relies on good employees who can learn the process of making and selling windows for homeowners and businesses.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Customer Service
  • Manufacturing
  • Sales
  • Maintenance
  • Driver

Braum’s Dairy

Here’s a chance to work in customer service serving up delicious frozen treats. Popular outlets like Braum’s Dairy need hard-working friendly people to give their customers the best experience possible.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Crew Member
  • Shift Supervisor
  • Maintenance Technician

Campbell’s Soup

A position making comfort food with one of the most popular soup makers in the nation sounds interesting, right? When you see those Campbell’s commercials on TV, you can be proud to work for this much-loved brand.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Customer Service
  • Manufacturing
  • Sales
  • Cleaner

Hotard Coaches

This transportation company has been serving the Gulf South since 1935! A vast majority of the jobs here will require a valid driver’s license, but there are plenty of roles available that could fit someone with the right kind of record. You may have seen the big white bus going around so hvae an idea of what you’d be doing: driving, maintaining, cleaning, and selling seats on buses.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Bus Driver
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Custodial
  • Ticket Sales

Goodman Manufacturing

Here’s a great manufacturing company in New Orleans. This one is not as well-known, but it has a reputation for hiring former felons.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Assembler
  • Maintenance
  • Material Handler
  • Warehouse Associate

Hilton — New Orleans Riverside

The hospitality industry is a great place to look for entry-level work. And, with a name like Hilton, you know the New Orleans Riverside hotel is an established employer.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Desk Clerk
  • Housekeeper
  • Sales
  • Maintenance

Entergy Corp

You know this company if you use one their power services. Entergy provides energy to Louisiana residents and can provide some steady employment if you’re not keyed into services.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Technician
  • Customer Services
  • Administration
  • Storekeeper

Gootee Construction

An HVAC company servicing New Orleans since 1991, this might be the right choice for your trade skills. They cover everything from plumbing to medical gas.

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • HVAC Technician
  • Sales Rep
  • Plumber
  • Gas Fitter

Mullin Landscape Associates

One of the best local landscapers around, Mullin Landscape Associates takes great care in hiring enthusaistic employees with a handy ability to perform creative manual labor tasks. Maybe you’ll find your next career here!

Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:

  • Landscaper
  • Arborist
  • Maintenance
  • Spray Technician

Trucking jobs for felons in New Orleans

Would it surprise you to know that trucking companies are great to work for when you’ve got a history of felonies? These businesses are always hiring and many have had good success hiring people with criminal records. As long as you have an acceptable driving record, you stand an excellent chance of getting into this well-paid industry.

Here’s where to find trucking jobs for felons in New Orleans:

Warehouse jobs for felons in New Orleans

The reason that working in a warehouse is a good choice is that you usually don’t need experience. This type of work requires basic skills like being punctual, taking instruction and working well with others. There are certainly a number of warehouse jobs for felons in New Orleans. We’ve already mentioned a few big businesses in the city that hire warehouse staff. Here are a few other places we suggest applying for a job with a felony.

Here’s where to apply for warehouse jobs:

  • BDI
  • Capstone Logistics
  • Crescent Crown Distributing
  • National Beverage
  • Sysco

Temp agency jobs for felons in New Orleans

An employment agency is a good place to start your job search. Temp agency jobs for felons in New Orleans include just about every entry-level occupation you can think of. What’s more, you have staffing agency professionals to steer you in the right direction. They know who’s hiring right now in New Orleans! What Could be better than that?

Here’s where to look for employment agency jobs for felons in New Orleans:

Second chance and job training programs for felons in New Orleans

Louisiana is one of the states that has Ban the Box legislation. By law, employers are not allowed to ask about an applicant’s criminal record until they’ve interviewed them for a job. This helps applicants immensely because they have a chance to impress a hiring manager with their job qualifications. If there’s a record check done after the job offer, the company will have some follow up questions for sure. But, unless your convictions would prohibit you from doing the particular job, they shouldn’t be in your way.

Here are a few helpful second chance and job training programs for felons in New Orleans and around the area to know about:

  • Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans Cornerstone Builders Program
    • Mission: Cornerstone Builders is a re-entry program for formerly incarcerated men and women based on rehabilitation through service. The program believes that community service equips people with the skills and assets necessary to be responsible, productive citizens. This prisoner re-entry program is a transformative experience that benefits not only the individual, but also the families and victims of crimes and society.
    • Services offered: Clothing and Household, Employment, Family, Food, Housing, Legal, Mental Health
  • Total Community Action-Reentry and Violence Intervention
    • Mission: Total Community Action’s mission is to reduce poverty in our community through Collaboration with other agencies by providing human services, experiences and opportunities that move persons from poverty to self-sufficiency.
    • Services offered: Family
  • Delancey Street Foundation
    • Mission: We have successfully graduated over 18,000 people from America’s underclass into society as successful tax paying citizens leading decent, legitimate and productive lives. We have opened new doors in fields of homelessness, education, vocational training, social entrepreneurship, substance abuse and pathways out of poverty, crime and violence.
    • Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Clothing and Household, Education, Employment, Family, Food, Housing
  • Louisiana Center For Children’s Rights
    • Mission: Using direct representation and advocacy, we fight to keep children out of the justice system so that they can thrive in their homes and communities.
    • Services offered: Legal
Relaunch Pad Logo
Sandy Bell-Murray
Reentry Educator

Sandy Bell-Murray worked for more than thirty years for the Ontario public service, mainly in adult and youth justice. She began as a Probation and Parole Officer, then became a policy analyst, program supervisor and manager. Currently, she delivers workshops focused on building personal resilience and managing stress. She is an active member of Toastmasters International.