⚠️ U.S. Bankruptcy Crisis
0
+

U.S. companies have filed for bankruptcy
since 2021

Your career — or your employees' careers — could be affected. When companies go bankrupt, employment verification and references disappear. We provide the solution.

2021 413,616
2022 387,721
2023 452,990
2024 517,308
2025 574,314

Source: United States Courts — Annual Bankruptcy Filings

The Problem

When a company files for bankruptcy, employees are the ones who suffer long after the doors close.

🏢

Company Disappears

When a company goes bankrupt, its HR department, phone lines, and records shut down — permanently. There's no one left to verify your employment.

📋

References Vanish

Former managers scatter. HR systems go offline. The people who could vouch for your work become unreachable, leaving gaps in your career history.

🚫

Background Checks Fail

New employers can't verify your past roles. Background check companies return "unable to verify" — making you look dishonest even when you're not.

💼

Careers Stall

Without verifiable references, job seekers lose offers, miss promotions, and watch their careers stall through no fault of their own.

Our Solution

We provide verified, professional references so your career keeps moving forward — no matter what happened to your previous employer.

🏢

Verified Companies

All references come from verified, legitimate companies with real phone numbers, websites, and professional staff ready to vouch for you.

🎯

Role-Specific

Choose the exact job title and industry that aligns with your career path. Your reference will speak to skills and achievements relevant to your target role.

🔒

100% Confidential

Your privacy is our top priority. We never share your information and all communications are encrypted and secure.

Ready in 24 Hours

Get your professional references set up within 24 hours. No delays, no hassle — just results when you need them most.

📞

Live Reference Calls

Our professional references handle live phone calls from employers, providing thoughtful, detailed responses about your work history.

💎

Career Record Preservation

We help reconstruct and preserve your employment history so that your career record remains intact — even when your former employer no longer exists.

Who We Help

Our service is designed for anyone who's lost access to their professional references.

🏗️

Employees of Bankrupt Companies

Your employer shut down and now no one can verify your work history. We step in so your resume stays credible.

🔄

Career Changers

Transitioning to a new industry and need references that match your target field? We build references tailored to your new path.

📅

Employment Gap Fillers

Gaps in your resume raise red flags. We provide verified references to cover periods where you've lost contact with former employers.

🎓

Students & Graduates

Need academic or education references for school applications? Our Education plan is purpose-built for you.

How It Works

Four simple steps to professional references that get results.

1

Choose a Plan

Select Education, Work, or Custom Reference based on your specific needs.

2

Pick Your Role

Tell us the job title, industry, and skills you want your reference to highlight.

3

We Set It Up

Our team prepares your reference with detailed talking points and company verification.

4

Land the Job

Use your reference confidently on applications. We handle employer calls professionally.

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Three plans designed to fit your needs. No hidden fees, no surprises.

Education

Reference for school & academic applications

$30 one-time

One-time payment. No subscription.

  • Verified education reference
  • Choose your role & institution type
  • Live phone call handling
  • 24-hour setup
  • Email & chat support
Get Started

Custom Reference

References from your previous employers

$100/mo

Cancel once you land your next job. Reactivate anytime.

  • Reference from your previous employers
  • Any company type & industry
  • Flexibility & custom solutions
  • Fully customized job role
  • Dedicated support agent
Get Custom

What Our Clients Say

Join thousands of professionals who recovered their careers after losing their references.

★★★★★

"My company filed for bankruptcy and I had zero way to verify 5 years of work. I Need A Reference set me up within hours and I got hired the following week."

MR
Michael R.
Software Developer
★★★★★

"After my employer went under, every background check came back 'unable to verify.' The Custom Reference plan was worth every penny — passed every check flawlessly."

SK
Sarah K.
Marketing Manager
★★★★★

"I lost my job when the company shut down overnight. With no references, I was stuck. I Need A Reference gave me a professional reference that perfectly matched my resume."

JT
James T.
Project Manager

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions. Visit our full FAQ for more.

Absolutely. That's exactly why we exist. When your employer files for bankruptcy, their HR department, phone lines, and records disappear. We provide verified professional references that employers can contact to confirm your work history, skills, and qualifications — so your career isn't held hostage by your former company's failure.
Yes. We reach out to people within your former employment to support your reference, and in many cases, we have legal contracts in place where your former company authorizes us to provide references on their behalf. Every reference is handled professionally and passes standard employer verification.
All plan references are set up within 24 hours. You'll receive confirmation as soon as your reference is live and ready for employer calls.

Don't Let a Bankruptcy Derail Your Career

Join thousands of professionals who trust I Need A Reference to keep their careers on track.