Professional references act as a final endorsement of your skills and character, offering a third-party perspective on your work ethic and qualifications. Properly managing your references demonstrates professionalism and preparedness, reinforcing the positive impression you have made during your interviews.
Why You Shouldn’t List References on Your Resume
Putting references directly on your resume is an outdated practice. Every line on your resume is valuable real estate that should be dedicated to showcasing your accomplishments and experience. Filling this space with reference information is not necessary during the initial application review and takes away from your ability to market yourself. Hiring managers will request this information only when they are seriously considering you for the role.
Protecting the privacy of your professional contacts is another reason to omit them from your resume. When you include their contact details on a document sent to multiple companies, you expose them to potential unsolicited contact. This reflects poorly on your professional judgment and is an inconvenience to your references. Respecting their privacy is fundamental to maintaining a good professional relationship.
References are consulted at the end of the hiring process, after initial screenings and interviews. Recruiters use this step to verify the information you have provided before extending an offer. Providing this information before it is requested is premature. Keeping your references separate allows you to present them at the appropriate moment.
Create a Separate Reference Page
The professional standard is to prepare a dedicated reference page. This document should be separate from your resume but formatted consistently with it, using the same header and font to create a cohesive application package. This page should be ready to send to an employer the moment they request it, demonstrating your organization.
Including the line “References available upon request” on your resume is now considered unnecessary. Employers assume that a professional candidate will have references prepared and will ask for them when the time is right. Omitting this line frees up space on your resume for more impactful content. The focus should be on having a polished reference document ready to go.
How to Format Your Reference Page
Your reference page should be a clean, professional document. At the top, include your name and contact information in the same header format as your resume for consistency. Below your header, use a title like “Professional References” before listing your contacts. Aim to provide three to five individuals unless the job posting specifies a different number.
- Full Name: Start with their full name. Ensure the spelling is correct, and include any professional titles or suffixes they use.
- Job Title and Company: List each reference’s current job title and the name of the company where they work. This context helps the hiring manager understand their position and the environment in which they worked with you.
- Relationship to You: Briefly describe your professional relationship to the reference. For example, you might write “Former Direct Supervisor” or “Senior Colleague” to give insight into the perspective they can provide.
- Phone Number: Provide an up-to-date phone number for each contact. If you know they prefer to be contacted on their mobile number over an office line, it is helpful to list that specific number.
- Email Address: Include a professional email address for each reference. As with phone numbers, verify that the email address is current and accurate.
How to Select and Ask for References
The best references are individuals who have supervised your work directly, such as former managers or team leads, as they can speak to your performance. Senior colleagues, long-term clients, or professional mentors are also excellent choices. Avoid listing family, friends, or peers who have not observed your work in a professional capacity, as their testimony may be seen as biased.
Always ask for permission before listing someone as a reference to ensure they are willing and prepared to speak on your behalf. When you ask, provide them with an updated copy of your resume and the job description you are targeting. This context allows them to tailor their comments to the role and highlight your most relevant skills. A quick phone call or a personalized email is a professional way to make this request.
When to Provide Your References to an Employer
Provide your reference page only when an employer explicitly asks for it. This request comes after you have completed one or more interviews and the company is moving toward a final decision. Handing over your references before this stage is unnecessary and can be perceived as presumptuous.
It is good practice to bring printed copies of your reference page with you to an in-person interview. Keep them in your portfolio with extra copies of your resume. Do not offer the reference page unless the interviewer asks for it directly. Having it on hand shows you are prepared to provide the information promptly when the moment is right.