References on a Resume | When & How to Include
You do not need to include references on a resume, unless they are specifically requested that way. You also do not need to include the line “references available upon request.”
Instead of taking up space on your resume with references, prepare a separate reference page that you can send to recruiters later on in the interview process, when they request it.
Should you put references on a resume?
No, you should not put references on a resume. While this was once common practice, it is now considered outdated.
You shouldn’t put references on a resume because:
- At the resume stage, recruiters aren’t checking references. Hiring managers focus on evaluating your qualifications first; they’ll reach out if they want to check references.
- Resume length is 1–2 pages, and space is limited. Make the most of it by focusing on your work experience and skills instead of listing references.
- Since this practice is old-fashioned, it can make you come across as out of touch with modern resume format or age you as an applicant.
- References include sensitive information like names and contact information, which you should only share with third parties when requested.
Certain industries—like government, the public sector, academia, or healthcare—may require you to include references on your resume. Always review the job posting for any special instructions, and if you have questions, reach out to the hiring manager or contact for the job.
Likewise, online job application platforms may have required fields for references that you must fill out when submitting your application. In these cases, you should provide accurate contact information for your references, following the platform’s format.
How to list references on a resume
Rather than include references on a resume, you should prepare a separate reference page for your resume. This is usually a 1-page document that lists your references and their contact information.
The following tips can help you prepare a reference page, so that you have it ready for when an employer requests it.
Determine how many references you should have
How many references you should have depends on your circumstances. Three references is usually the standard. However, if you’re applying for senior-level roles or roles with a lot of responsibility, you should probably include more.
Always follow the instructions given by the recruiter or hiring manager. If you’re not sure how many references you should send, you can always reach out and ask how many they’d like.
Keep in mind that recruiters don’t always contact all your references. They may only call one or two. Having a reference page ready helps here, as it lets you provide recruiters with plenty of options to choose from.
Decide who to list as references
Your references should be people who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Who you choose depends on the stage of your career and the context of your application.
Before listing someone as a reference, always ask for their permission. Ensure they’re comfortable with you sharing their contact information and willing to speak on your behalf.
Common references include:
- Managers or supervisors
- Coworkers
- Direct reports
- Clients or business partners
You could also ask:
- Professional mentors
- Contacts from industry organizations
- Contacts from professional development programs
If you’re an entry-level candidate or recent graduate, consider:
- Professors or academic advisors
- Volunteer coordinators
- Coaches from sports teams
- Leaders of extracurricular activities
Since Anastasia doesn’t have prior marketing experience, she chooses the following references:
- Kelly, her digital marketing professor, who can testify to her academic performance and industry-specific hard skills.
- Chen, the editor of the Essex Daily, who reviewed Anastasia’s submissions to the school newspaper. As a close collaborator, he can speak about her writing and soft skills.
- Luke, who oversaw Anastasia’s volunteer work in the communications department of a local food bank. Even though she was a volunteer, Luke can comment on how Anastasia performed in his department.
Gather the necessary information for each
Once you’ve decided who to ask for references, gather the information you need for each contact.
For each reference, you should include:
- Full name
- Job title
- Company name
- Company address
- Phone number
- Email address
- A short note about your relationship
Kelly Giovanni
Professor of Digital Marketing
Essex University
123 Essex Avenue
Essex, VT 05001
(802) 234-5678
kelly.giovanni@essexvt.edu
Kelly was my digital marketing professor from 2020 to 2023 and the faculty advisor for the university’s Digital Marketing Association, of which I was a member.
Reference page for resume
When creating your reference page for your resume, follow this template.
Your name
City, State (optional) | Your phone number | Your email address | LinkedIn (optional)
Professional References
Reference name
Reference job title
Reference company
Reference company address
Reference phone number
Reference email address
Note including where and when you worked together as well as your working relationship.
Repeat the “Reference” part of the template for however many references you want to include.
- Use similar formatting as on your resume (e.g., margins, fonts, sizes, colors, etc.). This gives your application documents a cohesive look and shows you pay attention to details.
- Bold the name of each reference. This helps their name stand out and visually breaks up text.
- Keep your reference notes succinct and to-the-point. If you can’t explain your relationship to someone in a sentence, they might not be the best reference.
- Make sure your references are free of spelling errors. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can take care of that.
The example below is fictional, but it can help you understand what a reference page for a resume should look like.
Anastasia Novak
Essex, VT | (555) 111-2233 | anastasianovak@email.com | linkedin.com/in/anastasinovak
References
Kelly Giovanni
Professor of Digital Marketing
Essex University
123 Essex Avenue
Essex, VT 05001
(802) 234-5678
kelly.giovanni@essexvt.edu
Kelly was my digital marketing professor between 2020 – 2023 and the faculty advisor for the university’s Digital Marketing Association, of which I was a member.
Chen Li
Editor
Essex Daily
456 Essex Alley
Essex, VT 05001
(802) 333-4455
chen.li@essexvt.edu
Chen is the Editor of the Essex Daily, and we collaborated closely when I was a contributor between 2021 – 2023.
Luke Paterson
Director of Communications
Essex Open Pantry
1212 Mountain View Road
Essex, VT 05001
(802) 999-8877
lukep@essexopenpantry.org
I volunteered in the communications department of Essex Open Pantry from 2022 – 2024, and Luke was my direct report.
Frequently asked questions about references on resume
- Should I include “references available upon request” on a resume?
-
You should not include “references available upon request” on a resume.
This practice is considered outdated and takes up valuable space that could be better used to highlight your skills and experience.
You should also not include references on a resume. Instead, create a separate reference page to supplement your resume when requested.
Any document you send as part of a job application should be free of spelling and grammar errors, so run them through QuillBot’s Grammar Checker before sending.
- How do I list references in an email?
-
List references in an email by including the following information for each reference:
- Full name
- Job title
- Company name
- Company address
- Phone number
- Email address
- A short note about your relationship to the reference
Modern resume format recommends you don’t include references on a resume, so sending them in an email is a good alternative.
Before sending your email, make sure it is error-free with QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker.
