Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve got a record, the job hunt feels less like a "search" and more like a series of slammed doors. You hit "submit" on an application, wait for that background check to kick in, and then—silence. It’s exhausting. Honestly, it’s demoralizing. But here’s the thing: the landscape of where can a felon find a job has shifted massively in the last couple of years. We aren't in 2010 anymore.
Companies are desperate for people who actually show up. Like, really show up.
There’s this huge myth that you’re stuck working under the table or scrubbing floors forever. That’s just not true. In 2026, "Fair Chance" hiring isn't just a feel-good HR slogan; it's a legitimate business strategy. Major corporations are actively courting "returning citizens" because the data shows they often have higher retention rates than people without records. They stay longer. They work harder. They value the chance more.
The Big Names Actually Hiring Right Now
You might think you’re limited to the local mom-and-pop shop. Wrong. Some of the biggest brands in the world have signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge.
💡 You might also like: Why La June Montgomery Tabron Is the Most Important Person in Philanthropy You've Never Heard Of
JPMorgan Chase is a huge one. They actually stripped the criminal history question from their initial applications years ago. They even have a dedicated "Second Chance" hiring initiative because they realized they were missing out on a massive talent pool. Then you’ve got MOD Pizza. They don’t just hire felons; they celebrate it. About 20% of their workforce has a record. They call it "Impact Hiring." It’s basically built into their DNA.
Don't sleep on these others:
- The Home Depot: They partner with the Department of Labor specifically for reentry.
- UPS: They’ve been doing this forever. If you can move packages, they want you.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods: A newer addition to the Second Chance Business Coalition.
- Microsoft and Google: Yeah, even Big Tech. They focus more on your skills than what happened ten years ago.
It’s about finding the right entry point. You probably won't be a VP of Finance tomorrow if your conviction was for embezzlement, obviously. But the door is open for logistics, coding, sales, and management tracks.
Laws That Have Your Back (The Stuff Nobody Explains)
The legal side of this is changing fast. It's kinda confusing, but you need to know your rights.
As of July 2026, Washington State expanded its Fair Chance Act. Now, employers with 15 or more people can’t even ask about your record until after they’ve made you a conditional offer. Think about that. You get to prove you're the best candidate based on your personality and skills before the "F word" (felony) even comes up.
Philadelphia just updated its rules this January too. They shortened the "look-back" period for misdemeanors to just four years. If it happened five years ago? It basically doesn't exist for most Philly employers.
And then there's the Federal Bonding Program. This is basically a free insurance policy for the employer. If they hire you, the government provides a bond that protects them against any "risk." It’s like a "no-excuses" card you can play during an interview. You can literally tell an employer, "Hey, I’m bonded by the US Department of Labor for $5,000." It makes you look professional and prepared.
Skills That Move the Needle
Look, the "where" matters, but the "how" is what gets you the paycheck.
Construction is still the king of second chances. Honestly, if you can get an HVAC certification or learn to weld, your record barely matters in that industry. They need skilled hands, period. But what if you don't want to do manual labor?
The customer service and "gig" economy have become way more accessible. Teleperformance and other massive call center firms hire remotely and are often very background-friendly. Since the shift to remote work, your location—and sometimes your past—matters less than your ability to handle a tech stack and talk to people.
How to Handle "The Talk"
You’re in the interview. You’ve killed it. Then comes the background check question.
Don't lie. Ever. If you lie and they find out later, you're fired instantly for "dishonesty," which is a whole new problem. Instead, use the "Pivoting" technique.
Briefly state what happened without making excuses. Then, immediately pivot to what you’ve done since. "I made a mistake eight years ago that resulted in a felony conviction. Since then, I’ve completed my CDL, volunteered at a local food bank, and haven't had so much as a speeding ticket."
Focus on the Distance (how long ago it was) and the Difference (who you are now). Employers in 2026 are looking for growth. If you can show you’ve evolved, most of them will take the "risk."
What to Do Tomorrow Morning
Stop scrolling and start acting. The 2026 job market moves fast.
- Check your own record. Use a service or go to the courthouse. You’d be surprised how many records have errors. If it says "Violent Felony" but it was actually a "Class D Non-Violent," you need to fix that before an employer sees it.
- Visit Honest Jobs. This is a job board specifically for people with records. They have a "compatibility" score that tells you exactly how likely a company is to hire you based on your specific conviction. No more guessing.
- Find a CareerOneStop center. These are Department of Labor sites. They have "Justice-Involved" specialists whose entire job is to help you find a path.
- Target "Ban the Box" states. If you’re willing to move, states like California, Illinois, and New Jersey have the strongest protections for workers with records.
The reality of where can a felon find a job is that the world is finally catching up to the idea of redemption. It’s still a grind, but the tools are better than they’ve ever been.
📖 Related: Christian Franks Florence SC: What Most People Get Wrong
Go to the National Reentry Resource Center website and look up your specific state's "Clean Slate" laws. Many states are now automatically sealing old records after 7–10 years. You might find that the thing holding you back is already legally invisible. Use that knowledge. Get back out there.