Usually, leave references off your resume. Prepare a separate reference list and share it when requested. If the employer specifically asks for references inside your resume, follow those instructions.
Your resume shows your qualifications and relevant accomplishments. Your references help an employer learn more about your work from people who have seen it firsthand.
This guide explains who to choose, how to ask them, and how to prepare a reference list. You’ll also find a template and examples you can copy.
Should You Put References on a Resume?
For most job applications, leave references off your resume. The employer’s instructions determine whether you should provide them separately or include them in the resume itself.
- The employer has not asked for references
- Send your resume without them. Keep a reference list ready in case the hiring team requests it later.
- The employer asks you to provide references
- Submit a separate reference list, or enter the details in the application’s reference fields. Follow the requested format and number of contacts.
- The employer asks for references inside your resume
- Add a clearly labeled References section near the end. Include only the requested details, with each person’s permission.
Check the wording: “Provide three references” does not automatically mean “put three references on your resume.” If the instructions are unclear, ask the hiring contact how to submit them.
Do not add references simply to fill an empty page. Focus on the resume sections that show your qualifications, and keep reference contact details separate unless instructed otherwise.
How to Make a Reference List
Create a separate document titled Professional References. Add your name and contact details at the top, then list the people who have agreed to be your references.
- Add your contact information. Include your name, phone number and professional email address. Use the same name and contact details as your resume.
- Include each reference’s details. List their full name, current job title, company or organization, phone number and email address. Use the contact details they have approved for reference requests.
- Explain how you know them. Add one short sentence describing your working or academic relationship. For example: “Supervised my customer service work at ABC Company from 2023 to 2025.”
- Keep the formatting consistent. Match your resume’s font and header style. Use clear spacing between entries so the employer can find each person’s details.
- Check the submission instructions. Confirm the requested number of references and file format. If the application has reference fields, enter the information there instead of uploading a document unless asked.
Do you need an address? Include a company or mailing address only if the employer requests it. Avoid adding someone’s home address without a specific need and their permission.
Before sending the list, confirm that every person is comfortable being contacted and that their details are current. Follow the employer’s requested file format and use a clear filename, such as Alex-Taylor-References.pdf, if a PDF is accepted.
When preparing the resume that accompanies your reference list, see our guide to PDF vs. Word for your resume to help you choose the right file format.
Reference List Template and Examples
Use the template below to prepare your own reference sheet. Repeat the reference entry for each person the employer requests. Replace every bracketed field before sending it.
Reference List Template
[Your Full Name] [Your Phone Number] | [Your Email Address] PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES [Reference’s Full Name] [Current Job Title], [Company or Organization] Phone: [Approved Phone Number] Email: [Approved Email Address] Relationship: [How you worked or studied together, including dates if useful]
Add another entry in the same format for each additional reference. Include an address only if requested.
The examples below show two contacts each to illustrate the format. Follow the employer’s instructions for the number you submit. All names and contact details are fictional.
Example for an Experienced Applicant
Alex Taylor (202) 555-0101 | alex.taylor@example.com PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES Morgan Lee Operations Manager, Example Logistics Phone: (202) 555-0102 Email: morgan.lee@example.com Relationship: My direct supervisor during my operations coordinator role from 2022 to 2025. Jordan Patel Project Manager, Example Services Phone: (202) 555-0103 Email: jordan.patel@example.com Relationship: Led a process-improvement project that I supported in 2024.
Choose people who can discuss your contribution and performance. A direct working relationship matters more than an impressive title.
Example for a Student or Fresher
Sam Rivera (202) 555-0104 | sam.rivera@example.com PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES Dr. Casey Chen Lecturer, Example College Phone: (202) 555-0105 Email: casey.chen@example.com Relationship: Taught my business research course and supervised my final-year project in 2026. Riley Brooks Volunteer Coordinator, Example Community Center Phone: (202) 555-0106 Email: riley.brooks@example.com Relationship: Supervised my volunteer work organizing community events from 2025 to 2026.
Without paid experience, you can choose people who supervised relevant academic projects, volunteering or practical training.
Your reference sheet supports your application, but your resume still needs to show what you can do. If you are starting out, see how to prepare a resume for your first job.
Who Can You Use as a Reference?
Choose people who know your work firsthand and can give specific examples of your skills, reliability and contribution. A person who supervised you closely is usually more useful than someone with a senior title who barely knows you.
| Possible reference | What they can discuss |
|---|---|
| Former manager or supervisor | Your responsibilities, performance and progress in a role they supervised. |
| Colleague or project lead | Your teamwork, problem-solving and contribution to shared work. |
| Client | The quality of your freelance or contract work, communication and delivery. |
| Professor or training instructor | Projects, practical assignments and skills they personally observed. |
| Volunteer supervisor | Your reliability, initiative and work supporting an organization or community project. |
If You Have Little or No Work Experience
Consider a professor, project supervisor, internship manager or volunteer coordinator. Choose someone who can describe what you did, rather than simply confirm that you attended.
A training instructor may also be suitable if they supervised practical work during a certification course. The certification shows the credential; the instructor can discuss how you applied your learning. Make those credentials clear in your application with our guide to listing certifications on a resume.
If You Are Returning After a Career Break
A former manager can discuss your earlier experience, while a recent project lead, trainer or volunteer supervisor may be able to describe your current skills. When preparing a resume after a career break, choose references who can support the experience and recent activities you include.
Keep a confidential job search private. Ask before listing a current manager or colleague. If you do not want your employer contacted yet, explain this to the hiring team and discuss suitable alternatives.
Avoid family members and friends who know you only socially for a professional reference list. If an employer specifically requests a personal or character reference, follow that request and describe the relationship honestly.
How to Ask Someone to Be a Reference
Ask before sharing someone’s name or contact details with an employer. Explain the role you are applying for and give them an easy way to decline.
- Ask whether they are comfortable being a reference. Briefly remind them how you worked or studied together. Give them time to respond before adding them to your list.
- Help them prepare. Share the job description and your updated resume. Mention one or two relevant projects or contributions they personally observed.
- Confirm their preferred contact details. Check their current title, phone number and email address. Let them know when the employer may contact them, if you know.
Send a version of your resume that reflects the position you want. Our guide explains how to tailor your resume to a job description so your reference can understand which experience matters most.
Reference Request Email Template
Subject: Reference request — [Your Name] Hi [Name], I’m applying for a [Job Title] position at [Company]. Would you be comfortable being a professional reference for me? We worked together on [Project or Responsibility] at [Organization], and I thought you could speak about my [Relevant Skills or Contribution]. If you agree, I can send my updated resume and the job description. Please let me know which phone number and email address you would prefer me to share. I understand if you’re unable to help. Thank you for considering my request. Best, [Your Name]
Replace the bracketed details and adjust the wording to match your relationship with the person.
If they decline, thank them and choose another contact. If they agree, keep them informed when you share their details and thank them for their help.
Should You Write “References Available Upon Request”?
Usually, you can leave this phrase off your resume. Employers can ask for references when they need them. The sentence does not explain your qualifications or add evidence of your work.
Keep your reference list ready instead. Share it when requested, using the document or application fields the employer specifies.
Follow an explicit instruction. If an employer specifically asks you to write “References available upon request,” include it. If they ask for the actual reference details, provide those details rather than substituting this phrase.
You do not need to replace it with another closing sentence. Your resume can end after its last relevant section.
Common Reference Mistakes
Before sharing your reference list, check these six points. Each one can prevent confusion or an unexpected call.
- Sharing details without permission. Ask each person first and confirm which contact details they want you to use.
- Using outdated information. Check names, current job titles, phone numbers and email addresses before submitting the list.
- Choosing someone who barely knows your work. Select people who can describe your contribution with specific examples, rather than relying on their seniority.
- Inventing or exaggerating a relationship. Describe how you actually worked or studied together. Never present a friend as a former manager.
- Ignoring the employer’s instructions. Follow the requested number, format and submission method. A separate reference list is different from a References section inside your resume.
- Exposing a confidential job search. Do not list current workplace contacts without discussing it with them. Tell the hiring team if your current employer should not be contacted at this stage.
Final check: Make sure every listed person has agreed to help, knows which role you are applying for, and can support the experience you have described.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a professor as a reference if I have no work experience?
Yes. A professor or academic supervisor can be suitable if they know your work and can discuss projects, practical skills or reliability. Ask their permission first and explain the position you are applying for.
Can a friend be a reference?
A friend may be suitable if you genuinely worked together and they can discuss your professional contribution. Describe that relationship honestly. Someone who knows you only socially is better suited to a personal or character reference, if requested.
What if I cannot provide the requested number of references?
Tell the hiring contact and ask whether academic, training, client or volunteer references would be accepted. Do not invent contacts or add people who cannot discuss your work simply to reach the requested number.
Can I use a former employer as a reference?
Yes. A former manager or supervisor who knows your work can be a useful reference. Confirm that they are willing to help and check their current contact details. Use their current title and explain your previous working relationship.
What if I do not want my current employer contacted?
Tell the hiring team that your job search is confidential and ask them not to contact your current employer at this stage. Offer suitable alternatives and discuss when current-employer contact would be acceptable.
Should references go on a separate page?
Usually, prepare references as a separate document and submit it when requested. If the application provides reference fields, use those fields. Put references inside your resume only when the employer specifically instructs you to do so.
Do I need to include a reference’s address?
Include an address if the employer requests it. Otherwise, the person’s name, title, organization, approved phone number, email and relationship to you are generally sufficient. Avoid sharing a home address without a specific need and permission.
What is the difference between a reference and a recommendation letter?
A reference is someone an employer may contact to discuss your work or qualifications. A recommendation letter is a written endorsement prepared by that person. Provide whichever the employer requests; one does not automatically replace the other.
