It is crucial to consider carefully what you include in your resume as this can be your only chance to impress the hiring manager and increase the likelihood that they will extend an interview invitation. Considering each sentence you use could result in a more concise and powerful resume. Listing at least two references on your resume was formerly standard procedure, but it is no longer required nowadays.
They are now frequently requested by potential employers as the interview process comes to an end. Moreover, you can use that significant space on your resume to stress other aspects, including your job capabilities or technical skills. Furthermore, it might be beneficial to proactively gather references while you’re actively looking for a new job so you’re ready if an employer requests them.
Everything you need to know about resume references will be covered in this in-depth guide, including the benefits and drawbacks, best practices, and how to use the renowned expression “References available upon request.”
References on Resume
They are those who can vouch for your character or abilities, including former supervisors, co-workers, instructors, or even mentors who can discuss your abilities, experience, character, and what kind of person you are. References were listed immediately on resumes by applicants in the past.
However, it is preferable to use that precious space of resume to highlight your achievements, skills, hobbies, and talents with the giant bend towards Applicant Tracking Systems and the utter volume of applications for the majority of positions.
References are not required up front by employers anymore. They occasionally ask for them after they have interviewed you and are genuinely considering proceeding with you further. They next want to verify all of the positive things you mentioned about yourself in the interview through those references.
Moral of the Story: Avoid over-elaborating during your interview since it may backfire.
The following outlines the contents of your resume reference:
Noah Richard
Regional Sales Associate
Zenith Marketing Group
463 Market Street, Suite 110
Chicago, IL 60601
(555) 128-9867
Noah.richard@zenithmarketing.com
Noah served as my mentor at Zenith, helping me enhance my customer connections and sales techniques.
References Available upon Request
“References available upon request” was a common statement on applications for years, suggesting that the applicant had references on hand and would provide them upon request from the employer. However, is this statement still relevant or now out-dated?
Yes (in a nutshell)! This expression is considered out of work by the majority of recruiting managers nowadays but employers will still request references if they want them. This statement takes up important space that may be utilised to highlight your abilities, background, or achievements.
References on Resume: Add or Not?
“No” will be the quick and short answer! References should not be included on your resume. The majority of hiring managers are too busy to go through each applicant’s references at once. Determining and examining candidates’ experience, abilities, and suitability based on their resumes for the position is the recruiter’s top priority.
Many resumes that are screened out by ATS scanners never even make it to the hiring managers but are rejected right away. Therefore, leave references from your resume unless a job posting expressly requests it, omit references from your resume but it doesn’t indicate you shouldn’t prepare references in advance.
Simply refrain from stating, “References available upon request.” Hiring managers probably already expect that you will provide them with references if they want them as it’s an out-dated expression. A company will typically ask for your references if they are interested during the interview process or even later when they are thinking of giving you an offer.
Your resume should highlight your qualifications, skills, and yourself rather than your references until then. Go ahead and follow the instructions in the rare case where the job description specifies that references should be included on the resume and if not, save that data in a different document and hand it in only upon request.
When to List References on Resume?
References should be listed on your resume when:
Requested by potential employer: References may occasionally be specified as a necessary component of your application along with your resume and cover letter.
Helpful for Recruiters: It might make the hiring manager’s job a lot easier if they have references to help them understand your personality.
Received Honours from the Reference: This can be a great chance to highlight your accomplishments if you have already been recognised for your exceptional work with awards or promotions.
Wish to Impress your Employer: The recruiters may give your reference greater weight if they are well-known, respected, or in a senior position at your former company or institution. Simply ensure that the reference is familiar with you and is able to provide insightful information about you upon request.
Wish to Increase the Resume’s Credibility: Having references on your resume might increase your credibility in the eyes of hiring managers. It gives the impression that you are trustworthy and honest as your former employers must have positive things to say about you, showing you haven’t hidden anything.
Still Room on your Resume: It is a great idea to fill up your resume and give it a more comprehensive appearance if there is a lot of empty space at the bottom which may be the case, particularly if you are fresh to the workforce or a recent graduate.
When to Not List References on Resume?
There are some situations in which it is preferable to exclude your resume references. These situations may consist of:
References are not necessary in the early phases of your application.
- It is specifically requested to not mention them on the resume.
- There aren’t enough references (at least two or three).
- The references have nothing to do with the job for which you are applying.
- Your contract was terminated on terrible terms, or you were dismissed.
- There isn’t enough room on your resume for them.
You can skip the references if they don’t provide enough room for your professional experience and talents, which are far more crucial. The best course of action is to neglect references on your resume if any of them apply to you instead write “references available upon request.”
Need of References on Resume
References may be requested by hiring managers at any stage of the interview process. However, the request is typically made in the last moments of an interview when the employer is close to making a final decision and you are one of the top two or three applicants. Employers usually ask for references from their top two or three candidates to find out more about each individual.
They give potential employers a chance to find out more about your prior work and influence, as well as to get a second opinion on any unresolved issues. They will probably take into account the facts they learn from your references in addition to the interviews you’ve done and any work examples you’ve supplied when making their choice.
How Many References to Include?
Three to four people who can vouch for your professional expertise and skills should be on your list of references when asked by the hiring team. You might ask friends and colleagues to act as character references if you are unable to find a professional reference.
It is a standard practice to produce a separate list of references and send it by email as a Word or PDF document, using the same font and design elements as your resume to maintain coherence, rather than including their contact information on your resume only when asked.
Selection of the Right References
Asking your friend to play your former co-worker is an appealing idea, but it’s a dangerous one. One mistake might destroy your chances and you never know what questions the hiring manager would ask that friend of yours. A better way than this is that you have more possibilities than you realise. Select individuals who can confirm your work ethic and who truly understand your abilities.
Professors, guidance counsellors, mentors, or career consultants could serve as references if you’re a student or recent graduate with little work experience. They can talk about your personal skills and your academic accomplishments.
Have you advanced in your career? Look for references that demonstrate your development as a professional, including co-workers, past supervisors, or a colleague from a different department. Project supervisors from your higher coursework, such as your master’s or doctorate degrees (Ph.D.), can also be an ideal choice.
Aim for a mix for those in management positions: a mentor, a close colleague, or someone who supervised you, providing a comprehensive picture of your teamwork and leadership. A bonus point is that if you have a friend who works for the company you are applying to, they can confirm your abilities as well as your compatibility with the corporate culture.
Your potential boss doesn’t need to know about your amazing social nightlife planning abilities, so don’t ask friends from outside of work. Select individuals that are aware of your skills, eager to help, and able to think quickly when questioned about your work. Verify if they are reliable and will support you in times of need or else you will get in trouble, risking your job.
Who Not to List as a Reference?
The first rule on who not to list as a reference is to avoid using family members. Your mother can probably be your biggest supporter but companies want someone who is less biased and can speak to your skills and abilities in a formal context.
You don’t want your present employer to know you’re looking for a new job, so don’t name current colleagues unless you truly trust them. Asking a colleague for a reference could backfire if word gets out in the office, especially if you’re trying to keep things understated (low-key).
It should go without saying that you should avoid people with whom you have a disagreement at work. The incident where you unintentionally consumed your colleague’s snack? That grudge might still be alive and kicking in their minds.
Don’t add references who might have conflicting opinions about you because you want them to speak well of you!
Format of Adding References on Resume
There are a few things to remember if you have decided to include references on your resume. Getting the consent of the other person is always the first step in creating references for a resume. Using someone’s contact information or giving them to others without first making sure they are okay with it is not polite.
Furthermore, you’re unlikely to receive the best character evaluation if your reference is taken by surprise. You can then go to the formatting once the consent is taken from the concerned person. The following steps should be followed in order to structure your references correctly:
- Provide your reference’s full name to let the recruiter know that he/she is genuinely an authoritative person.
- Include their work address and company name.
- Don’t provide any private contact details, but do include their work phone number and email.
- Give a brief explanation of your relationship to the reference with the answer to: “Why are they qualified to provide accurate information about you?”
You can use the following template to assist you in creating your reference list:
- Complete reference name
- Job title
- Name of the company
- Work address
- Extension code with work phone number (if applicable)
- Work email
- A short explanation of your relationship
You can provide references on a second page or at the bottom of your resume!
Example to better understand the format:
Karlson Smith
Marketing Director
ABC Corporation
Los Angeles
(123) 456-7890
xyzcorp.com/karlson.smith
Former Supervisor
Noah Johnson
Project Associate
XYZ Institute
Chicago, IL
(987) 654-3210
abcinc.com/noah.johnson
Colleague
Do not:
- Compose lengthy and disorganised references
- Select unfavourable references, such as employers who are biased, not recent, or irrelevant to your role.
- Provide your home address or personal contact details.
- Leave any important details in your references.
Smart Ways to Manage Resume References
Making a good impression requires careful management of your resume references and some of the essential tips to always remember include:
Ask for Permission: You should never use someone as a reference without their explicit permission. Inform them of the position and the skills or qualities you want them to highlight.
Update your Contact Details: Make sure the contact information on your reference list is up to date. Out-dated information gives the impression that you are not a professional.
Make References Specific to the Work: Choose references who can verify the qualifications needed for the position you’re seeking for. For example, add someone who can talk about your leadership and organisational skills if you’re seeking a project management position.
Appreciate your references: Always give acknowledgement to your references, whether or not you get the job. Maintaining professional relationships can be greatly helped by a quick email or note.
References on Resume Examples
Your resume will look professional and well-maintained if you follow all the instructions carefully. Some of the examples to show the right way of adding reference include:
Example 1:
Frank Stark
General Manager, Buy Corp
Eugene, Oregon 97402
535-232-2974
stark.frank@buycorp.com
Relationship: Previous job’s manager
Example 2:
Dr. Shelly Smith
Research Director, Research lab Inc.
Chicago, IL 84113
(801) 213-8358
dr.smithshelly@researchlab.com
Relationship: Worked as Dr. Smith’s research assistant
Example 3:
Professor Stacy Peterson
Engineering professor- Oakwood University
Los Angeles 84113
212-456-9876
prof.stacypeterson@oakwooduniversity.com
Relationship: Engineering professor
These references are all suitable, well-structured, and contain all the information that is required for the application. However, you can learn exactly what not to do by looking at some poor resume reference examples, including:
Incorrect Example 1:
John Patrick
Customer Support Agent
The Best Products, LLC
Howard Street 2632
Grand Rapids, Michigan 23970
314-343-9807
John.patirck@gmail.com
Relationship: Best friend
The reference is unsuitable since it is based on a personal relationship rather than a professional or academic one, even though the formatting appears to be appropriate at first glance.
Incorrect Example 2:
Jessica Oliver
Roman Marketing Corp.
1208 Summit Road
Washington DC 57695
Jessicaolivere345@romanmarketing.com
This has a solid foundation for a reference. Nevertheless, a number of important details are absent. The referee’s phone number is missing, which limits the means of communication, and their job title is absent, making it impossible for your recruiter to determine whether they are an official reference. Furthermore, the recruiter is unable to determine whether the reference is a trustworthy source because the relationship between the applicant and reference is not disclosed.
Incorrect Example 3:
Stephan Holland
Relationship: Former boss
453-098-6439
Holland.steph6439@gmail.com
Floor Manager
438 Summit Road
Chicago, IL 23459
Patrick Textiles
Though it’s a disorganized mess, this reference is essentially appropriate and contains all the related information. However, the mentioned information is hard to understand and gives the applicant a disordered and unorganized appearance.
Key Takeaway: Should Your Resume Contain References?
After all the discussion on the topic, the question is still the same “should you include references on your resume or not?” The answer is “Usually not!” References are rarely needed during the initial application phase of the current recruiting process. It’s far better to highlight your accomplishments, abilities, and experience in that area rather than wasting it on those not much needed references.
Instead, you can:
- Have a separate list of references on hand.
- Only state “References available upon request” if the job posting particularly requests it.
- Customize your references when the hiring manager asks for it based on the job role and specification.
Conclusion
The role and working of references on resumes has changed over time. Smart applicants now realise that references on resumes are not only a formality but rather an integral part of a purposeful hiring process. Having a solid network of professionals who are prepared to verify your abilities is crucial, but it’s usually not required to mention them early on your resume; rather, be professional, organised, and selective.
A generic sentence such as “References available upon request” as well as a well-managed reference list that is prepared to present at the appropriate time is far better than utilizing the resume space with unnecessary things. Keep these three key points in mind, including:
- References should only be included when the situation is appropriate. For example, only include them if the company asks for it, if it will help the recruiter, or if it will improve your reputation or credibility.
- Pick your references wisely by ensuring they know you well enough to offer a helpful description, that they are relevant to the job you’re applying for, and that your relationship is academic or professional.
- Follow the mentioned steps to format your references correctly. Include the full name, job title, company name, work address, work phone number, work email, and a brief explanation of the reference’s relationship with you within the reference to make it significant.
You may provide hiring managers and recruiters the assurance they need by being careful with your references: when it matters the most. So, it is better to strategize on how to highlight your previous professional relation rather than just standardizing (using traditional ways of including references on resume)!