Felon in Alabama Looking for Jobs
Hello Sir,
My name is Martell and I live in Birmingham, Alabama. I am have a real hard time finding a job. I am on parole and my parole officer is on my back constantly to get a job. I have applied everywhere. I even spend everyday applying online at all of the job sites Monster.com, coolworks.com but I have found nothing. Do you know of anywhere in Alabama that will hire felons? I can do a lot of things.
Pleaze help.
Felon in Alabama looking for jobs
Hello Martell,
Finding a job for anyone is difficult these days and especially tough for a felon looking for a job. From my experience, those job websites may not be your best use of your time and resources. I don’t know of any ex-offender or felon personally who has gotten a job that way. My best suggestion to you is to apply at small businesses that are more likely to give an opportunity to someone like yourself.
I have worked with many felons who were on parole. You may have to go for jobs that maybe other people shy away from. The jobs may not be great but getting one will give a felon the opportunity to earn a wage and build a work history.
One of the jobs that my students often get is on the overnight crew at the local supermarket. Have you ever wondered how all of the products on supermarket shelves get put there so neatly and how the sore stays so clean? There is a crew there at night that stocks shelves, unload trucks and cleans the store. Some people have a difficult time working the overnight shift so there seems to always be a spot open. Stay there long enough for something to open up on another shift. This will also free up time in the day hours to find another job if need be.
Restaurants are also great places for a felon to get hired. Kitchen work is hard but if you are a hard worker and are dependable, there may be a job for you at a restaurant. Any restaurant would welcome a good utility person. People who work in restaurants are never hungry either.
Another great option when talking about jobs for felons is to go to your local One-stop Career Center. This used to be called the “employment “office.” This is the single greatest resource in your community to help ex-offenders and felons get jobs. You will find a lot of resources to help you get a job. You can get help with a resume, there are computers and telephones you can use on your job search. You can get individualized job search help from a trained counselor. Often the counselors know of employers in the area who have hired ex-offenders. Also there are lists of open jobs in your area. There are One-stops in your area. I have listed the ones in Birmingham. You can choose the ones nearest to you. Click the links and you can find the services that are available to you.
3440 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35222
Jefferson County Center for Workforce Development
3420 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35222
Jefferson State Community College One Stop Career Center – Birmingham East
2601 Carson Road
Birmingham, AL 35215
Lawson State Community College One Stop Career Center
3060 Wilson Road SW
Birmingham, AL 35221
Another community resource is
Re-Entry Ministries, Inc.
Re-Entry Ministries, Inc. works with persons with criminal records and offers limited services to prisoners. Programs include support groups for people with criminal records and families of prisoners, church services, job assistance, and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Give them a call to see what services they have to offer
2224 3rd Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35210 (205) 320‑2101
Best of luck to you.
Check out this real story about one of my students:
Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? I have been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for over ten years and I feel I have an understanding of what works. I will be updating this blog often. I will answer specific questions relating to getting a job with a criminal record on this blog so feel free to send me your questions. The right information could help felons get jobs. You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.
