Jobs for people with records and no experience

Hand laborers and material movers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "No formal educational credential", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "Short-term on-the-job training". 2025 Median Pay: $38,220 per year ($18.38 per hour).¹

These workers manually move freight, stock or other materials, and work in stockrooms, warehouses, manufacturing plants and similar places. The Handbook says they usually learn on the job in 1 month or less, and that some of these jobs need a state license. For example, a refuse and recyclable material collector who drives a truck over a certain size needs a commercial driver's license (CDL). This group includes stockers and order fillers, so it is the closest match for warehouse work.

Warehouse and delivery: what 8 employers say about records (Coca-Cola, DHL and FedEx and more)

Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "High school diploma or equivalent", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "Short-term on-the-job training". 2025 Median Pay: $43,950 per year ($21.13 per hour).²

These drivers pick up, transport and drop off packages and small shipments within a local area, in trucks under 26,001 pounds total weight. The Handbook says some openings exist for people without a high school diploma, that training lasts 1 month or less, and that drivers need a state driver's license and a clean driving record. It adds that some delivery drivers start as package loaders at warehouses.

Warehouse and delivery: what 8 employers say about records (Coca-Cola, DHL and FedEx and more)

Food and beverage serving and related workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "No formal educational credential", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "Short-term on-the-job training". 2025 Median Pay: $31,710 per year ($15.24 per hour).³

These workers take and prepare orders, clear tables and do other tasks that get food and drink to customers, in restaurants, schools and other dining places. The Handbook says they typically need no formal education or work experience and learn their skills on the job. Shifts often include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays, and part-time work is common.

Restaurants: what 22 employers say about records (McDonald's, Starbucks and Buffalo Wild Wings and more)

Cooks

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "See How to Become One", work experience in a related occupation as "See How to Become One", and on-the-job training as "See How to Become One". 2025 Median Pay: $36,640 per year ($17.62 per hour).⁴

The Handbook's Quick Facts send readers to its How to Become a Cook section instead of giving a single answer. That section says no formal education is typically required, and that cooks mostly learn through on-the-job training and work-related experience, often starting as a kitchen helper or food preparation worker. Fast food cooks prepare a limited menu in fast-food restaurants, and short order cooks make things like sandwiches and eggs where service is fast. Median hourly pay in May 2025 was $14.85 for fast food cooks and $17.25 for short order cooks. Some states and local areas require a food handler's certification.

Restaurants: what 22 employers say about records (McDonald's, Starbucks and Buffalo Wild Wings and more)

Cashiers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "No formal educational credential", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "Short-term on-the-job training". 2025 Median Pay: $32,880 per year ($15.81 per hour).⁵

Cashiers process payments and handle money in stores, gas stations, restaurants and similar places, and are trained on the job. The Handbook projects employment of cashiers to decline 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, though it still expects about 521,300 openings a year because workers leave or change jobs. Part-time work is common.

Retail and grocery: what 45 employers say about records (Best Buy, CVS and Kroger and more)

Retail sales workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "No formal educational credential", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "See How to Become One". 2025 Median Pay: $35,560 per year ($17.10 per hour).⁶

Retail sales workers sell goods and parts to customers, help them choose items and often run a register. The Handbook says most learn on the job, with training that usually lasts a few days to a few months, and that some employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent. It notes that some states license certain retail jobs, such as car salespeople, and that applicants for those may need to pass an exam or a background check. Median hourly pay in May 2025 was $17.03 for retail salespersons and $18.57 for parts salespersons.

Retail and grocery: what 45 employers say about records (Best Buy, CVS and Kroger and more)

Janitors and building cleaners

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "No formal educational credential", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "Short-term on-the-job training". 2025 Median Pay: $36,840 per year ($17.71 per hour).⁷

Janitors and building cleaners keep buildings clean, sanitary and orderly, mostly indoors. The Handbook says most learn on the job, and that some employers require or prefer a high school diploma or equivalent. Schedules can include evenings, nights or weekends, and part-time work is common.

Facilities, waste and manufacturing: what 26 employers say about records (Aramark, AT&T and GM and more)

Grounds maintenance workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "See How to Become One", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "See How to Become One". 2025 Median Pay: $40,080 per year ($19.27 per hour).⁸

These workers mow and edge lawns, trim shrubs and trees, plant, weed and care for outdoor grounds, mostly outdoors in all weather. The Handbook's How to Become One section says they typically need no formal educational credential and need 1 month or less of on-the-job training. Most states require a license to apply pesticides (licensing for fertilizers varies by state), which usually means passing a test, and that work can take up to a year of added training. Some of the work is seasonal.

Facilities, waste and manufacturing: what 26 employers say about records (Aramark, AT&T and GM and more)

Construction laborers and helpers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "See How to Become One", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "Short-term on-the-job training". 2025 Median Pay: $46,680 per year ($22.44 per hour).⁹

Construction laborers and helpers use, supply and hold materials and tools, clean work areas and help tradesworkers on construction sites. The Handbook says formal education is not typically required, though some employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers often require an OSHA-guideline safety certification, before or after hiring, and a valid driver's license may be required. Some laborers complete apprenticeships, and helpers can move into skilled trades later.

Security and staffing: what 10 employers say about records (Kelly, Randstad and Adecco and more)

Security guards

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "High school diploma or equivalent", work experience in a related occupation as "See How to Become One", and on-the-job training as "See How to Become One". 2025 Median Pay: $38,050 per year ($18.29 per hour).¹⁰

Security guards patrol and protect property, watch alarms and cameras, and control who enters a building. The Handbook says guards typically need a high school diploma or equivalent (some jobs may not require formal credentials) and that most learn the job in a few weeks. It also says most states require guards to be licensed by the state, and lists passing a background check among the basic qualifications for a license, along with being at least 18 and completing training. For armed guards, it says most states require rigorous screening that includes criminal record and fingerprint checks. It adds that drug testing may be required when hired and at random during the job. The Handbook does not say how a record is weighed, so check your state's licensing rules before applying. Experience in security and video surveillance is listed for gambling surveillance officers, not guards. The $38,050 median pay above covers security guards and gambling surveillance officers together; the Handbook's Pay section gives security guards alone a May 2025 median of $38,020 per year.

Security and staffing: what 10 employers say about records (Kelly, Randstad and Adecco and more)

Assemblers and fabricators

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook lists typical entry-level education as "High school diploma or equivalent", work experience in a related occupation as "None", and on-the-job training as "Moderate-term on-the-job training". 2025 Median Pay: $45,450 per year ($21.85 per hour).¹¹

Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them, mostly in manufacturing plants, with long periods of standing or sitting. The Handbook says requirements vary by industry and employer, that a high school diploma is enough for most jobs, and that experience and training are needed for advanced assembly work. This is the only job on this list whose Quick Facts show moderate-term training, and the Handbook says workers typically receive several months of on-the-job training.

Facilities, waste and manufacturing: what 26 employers say about records (Aramark, AT&T and GM and more)

A Registered Apprenticeship is a paid job that combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction and ends with a nationally recognized credential, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship.gov. You can search open apprenticeships on the site's Apprenticeship Finder and apply directly to the employer or program sponsor.^12,13,14

Apprenticeship.gov says apprentices are paid from the start and get wage increases as their skills grow. Its sponsor requirements guide says an apprentice must be at least 16 years old, unless a law sets a higher age, and lets each sponsor add its own minimum qualifications; the guide does not require prior work experience for entry. Sponsors must also accept requests for credit for earlier experience when you apply. Because each sponsor sets its own rules, contact the employer or sponsor listed on a posting to ask what it requires. Apprenticeship.gov also says an American Job Center can help you find one. Apprenticeship.gov does not say whether sponsors can turn down people with records, so ask the sponsor.

Pre-apprenticeship is a program or set of strategies meant to prepare people to enter a Registered Apprenticeship or other job opportunities, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship.gov.^15,16

Apprenticeship.gov says pre-apprenticeships may last from a few weeks to a few months and may or may not include wages or a stipend. It describes them as a way to put a person on a path toward a Registered Apprenticeship. Its Explore Pre-Apprenticeship page says you can search its Partner Finder to see sponsors that may offer a pre-apprenticeship program, and it points to the federal pre-apprenticeship programs YouthBuild and Job Corps.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) pays for job training for eligible adults through American Job Centers. CareerOneStop lists being justice-involved or having a criminal record among the barriers to employment that may qualify you.^17,18,19,20

CareerOneStop says WIOA training is offered through local colleges, non-profits and other providers in high-demand career fields, and that the way to find out if you qualify is to contact your local American Job Center. Other barriers it lists include low income, being an English language learner and being laid off. The Department of Labor says that when centers use WIOA adult funds, they must give priority to people on public assistance, other low-income people and people who are basic skills deficient, and that some services have eligibility requirements and vary by state. CareerOneStop's WIOA-Eligible Training Program Finder lets you pick a state and see which training programs are approved, and its Local Training Finder marks programs approved for WIOA funding.

CareerOneStop's ReEntry Program Finder lists local reentry employment programs near you. It says these programs specialize in helping people overcome the barriers caused by a criminal record, with help on job search, career planning or training.^18,21,22

CareerOneStop says different programs offer different services, so it suggests contacting a few to ask what each one offers. It also says some local reentry programs offer free job training. On its "Who hires people with a record?" page, it says some service providers place workers in jobs with local employers, and some keep lists of companies in the area that have hired people with records. You can search by location and distance from the finder page.