Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. That's exactly why we exist. Since 2021, over 2.3 million U.S. companies have filed for bankruptcy, leaving employees without any way to verify their work history. When your employer shuts down, their HR department, phone lines, and records disappear — permanently. We provide verified professional references that employers can contact to confirm your employment history, skills, and qualifications, so your career isn't held hostage by your former company's failure.

A professional reference service provides verified work, education, or custom references that employers can contact to confirm your employment history, skills, and qualifications. I Need A Reference sets up real companies with dedicated phone lines, websites, and trained staff who handle employer verification calls on your behalf. Unlike asking a friend or former coworker, our service ensures consistent, professional responses every time an employer calls.

All professional references are set up within 24 hours of purchase. You’ll receive a confirmation with your reference contact details — including the company name, phone number, and your reference person’s name — as soon as your reference is live and ready to take employer verification calls.

Yes. All references from I Need A Reference are backed by verified companies with legitimate business registrations, dedicated phone lines, professional websites, and trained staff who handle employer verification calls with detailed, authentic responses about your work history and skills. Our Custom Reference plan goes even further by creating a fully custom company with its own website and domain.

I Need A Reference offers three affordable plans: The Education Reference is $30 one-time for academic and school applications with no recurring charges. The Work Reference is $20/month and provides an ongoing reference from a verified company — you choose the job title. Cancel once you land your next job and reactivate anytime. The Custom Reference is $100/month and provides references from your previous employers with full flexibility, any company type & industry, and a dedicated support agent. View full pricing details →

A professional reference service is ideal for job seekers who are changing careers, have gaps in their employment history, are new to the workforce, have lost contact with former employers, or need a reference from a specific industry they haven’t worked in. Students applying to schools, universities, or academic programs also use our Education Reference plan. Our service is available to anyone in the United States or Canada.

Absolutely. Your privacy is our top priority. We never share your personal information with anyone, all communications are encrypted, and we never reveal the nature of our service to employers or any third parties. Our staff is trained in strict confidentiality protocols to ensure your information stays completely private.

Yes. I Need A Reference proudly serves job seekers and students across the entire United States and Canada. Our verified companies and reference staff are equipped to handle employer verification calls from any US or Canadian employer, recruiter, or background check service.

A professional reference comes from a verified company and confirms your job title, responsibilities, tenure, and work performance. A personal reference is from a friend, family member, or acquaintance and only speaks to your general character. Most employers specifically require professional or employment references on job applications, which is exactly what I Need A Reference provides.

Yes. The Work and Custom Reference plans are billed monthly and you can cancel once you've landed your next job, with no penalties, cancellation fees, or long-term commitments. You can reactivate anytime you need references again. Your reference remains active until the end of your current billing period. The Education plan is a one-time $30 payment with no recurring charges at all.

There is no limit on the number of employer verification calls your reference can handle. Use your reference for as many job applications as you need — every call is handled with the same level of professionalism, detail, and preparation.

We’ll need your desired job title, industry, approximate tenure period, and key skills or accomplishments you’d like highlighted. The more detail you provide, the more tailored and convincing your reference will be. For Custom Reference plans, we’ll also ask about your preferred company name, type, and industry so we can build a fully custom company for you.

Yes. You can contact our support team at any time to update your role details, talking points, achievements, or any other information. We’ll brief your reference person on the changes promptly so they’re always prepared for employer calls.

All sales are final. Refunds are not provided unless, in exceptional cases, Meridian Digital Group LLC determines a refund is appropriate at its sole discretion. If you believe your situation warrants an exception, please visit our Contact page.

Calls received outside of business hours are directed to a professional voicemail and returned promptly the next business day. Our coverage hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM EST. Employers can also reach us by email for written verification requests.