How To Find & Work With Temp Agencies That Work With Felons?

Finding a job in this economy is hard as it is, now throw in a felony conviction, and it’s almost akin to solving a Rubik’s cube while blindfolded.

It is certainly possible, but the odds are stacked against you, and the entire process is rife with failures, rejections, and frustrations, so much so that a vast majority of ex-felons give up within a few months, and as much as 60% being unemployed a year after leaving prison.

Fortunately, the landscape is changing for the better, with several government programs, and off-late even a few temp agencies and placement firms working to get ex-felons gainfully employed, and back into the mainstream.

In this article, we take a deep dive into temp agencies that work with felons, all there is to know about them, and how you can position yourself to make the most of their services, as you try and work towards a second chance in life.

In recent years, plenty of new opportunities and avenues have opened up for ex-felons looking to turn their lives around. From non-profits to state-funded programs and incentives, there are plenty to choose from.

That being said, temp agencies who work with felons are a great place to get started, especially if you want a job, and want to land on your feet right away. Here are some tips to get started in this regard, and make the most of the opportunities that lay on your path.

1. Prepare For Honest & Clear Communication – Finding a job while having a criminal record is never an easy task, mostly because of the many tough conversations that need to be had time and time again.

However, keep in mind that there is no way around this, and as an applicant, you need to be as honest and upfront about your predicament to make the most of the opportunities provided to you.

This doesn’t mean that you have to lead every conversation with it, just don’t go out of your way to hide the fact that you have a felony conviction.

2. Highlight Skills & Experience – A key piece of advice for all job seekers, and not just those with felony convictions, is to highlight essential skills and experiences.

This can be anything that you think would be relevant for the position you are applying for, such as past experiences, degrees, diplomas, certifications, and more.

3. Take Advantage of Specialized Programs – As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of new programs and support services particularly aimed at getting ex-cons to get their lives back on track.

Many of these programs, such as FreshStart Employment by the city of Dallas, offer candidates with much-needed job readiness training, case management, and employment opportunities, while also covering aspects of the job such as soft skills training.

4. Be Ready For Background Checks – Even though mainstream acceptance of offenders has increased manifold in recent years, and there are plenty of programs and support systems for convicts, there is no avoiding the dreaded background checks.

This is something you must be willing to take with stride, and if you are in fact working with a temp agency that deals with felons, and are upfront with them about your background, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

5. Be Positive & Persistent – No matter how many programs, incentives, and support systems there are in place, job hunting with a criminal history will never be a walk in the park.

There will almost certainly be challenges, and you will face rejections that can demotivate you, but the key is to remain positive and persistent. It will certainly take time, but with the right effort, you should be able to make it past these issues, no matter what your background.

With state and federal support, felon temp agencies are dime a dozen these days, offering plenty of support for candidates to find jobs where they can thrive in, and turn their lives around for the better. Here are some of the felon temp agencies to try out in 2024, with brief overviews on each of them,

1. Adecco

One of the leading players in the global staffing space, Adecco has a felon-friendly policy, where candidates irrespective of their background can be considered for a wide range of administrative, industrial, and professional careers.

The firm is further known for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and prides itself on its fairness when considering candidates across a wide range of backgrounds.

Temp staffing is a major business for the company, and it perfectly aligns with the needs of felons, allowing potential employers to try them temporarily, and only hire when everything goes on smoothly.

2. Manpower

Another giant in the staffing space, with operations in over 60 countries across the globe, the Manpower Group is known for its extensive efforts in helping felons find suitable employment.

The company goes so far as to offer support, training, and coaching for ex-felons, in order to make them ready for the job market, all the while presenting opportunities that are best suited for them, based on their history, and other characteristics.

It either has a direct presence or affiliates present in most states, so no matter where you are, you should be able to take advantage of Manpower’s initiatives in this regard.

3. Labor Finders

Founded in 1975, Labor Finders is a temporary staffing agency with a focus on the construction, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors. The firm also happens to be one of the most felon and background-friendly agencies, offering plenty of opportunities for individuals looking for a fresh start.

They’ve since been recognized by the National H.I.R.E Network for their efforts in second-chance hiring, and the company remains committed to this core principle that everyone deserves another chance in life.

Though its reach and presence is limited compared to the other two on this list, when it comes to helping ex-felons find administrative and other skilled trade jobs, Labor Finders does an exceptional job.

First off, consider hitting up the agencies listed above, to find out about the programs and opportunities they have for you. However, you don’t have to stop right there, there are plenty of resources online that can help you uncover jobs that are background friendly, and don’t mind whether or not you have a criminal record.

Sites such as Indeed and Monster are great places to get started, and they both particularly allow you to filter felon-friendly jobs, making your job that much easier.

Keep sending out applications, with a resume perfectly customized for each job, and wait to hear back from them. Even if you are certain about a temp agency giving you a placement soon, there is nothing to lose in trying out for more openings on your own.

In 2024, boundless opportunities await for those with disabilities, impairments, or backgrounds that make them unsuitable for a traditional office job, all thanks to the internet.

With a wide variety of work-from-home jobs covering everything from writing and graphic design, to even entry-level administrative positions, a prior conviction is often nothing to worry about. This is especially true, since most remote jobs don’t bother with an extensive background check, and are similarly indifferent to your criminal history.

You can even consider freelancing on platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr, where your background is never in question, and the only thing that matters is your skillset, certifications, and how well you do your job.

Now, for the grand finale. Who’s rolling out the welcome mat for felons this year? A few standouts include:

• Amazon: Yep, the online shopping giant is more open-minded than you might think. They’ve been known to give folks with a checkered past a chance, especially in their warehouses.
  
  Given the sheer amount of people that are needed to keep its e-commerce machine chugging along, Amazon doesn’t just look the other way when it comes to your background, they even have a fairly simple and straightforward recruitment process.
  
• Goodwill: More than just a thrift store, Goodwill is big on giving second chances. They offer a ton of different positions, from retail to logistics.
  
  True to their name, they are willing to put their trust in those that society is unwilling to give second chances to, as an act of goodwill.
• Home Depot: Got a knack for DIY? Home Depot could be your jam. They’re known for being felon-friendly, especially for entry-level positions.
  
  They are known to pay quite well for even their retail workers, with good benefits to go along with it, making it ideal for someone just looking to piece their lives back together.

Each of these employers has been praised for their inclusive hiring practices. So don’t count them out.

And there you have it. Your roadmap to navigating the job market with a felony. Remember, it’s all about persistence, honesty, and leveraging the resources out there. So get out there, show ’em what you’ve got, and grab that second chance with both hands.