Should I Include References On My Resume?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Job references should never be included on a

. Rarely, however, references may be included with a resume, but always put them on a separate references page.

Is it OK to say references available upon request?

Should You Put “References Available Upon Request” On a Resume?

No, you shouldn't put “references available upon request” on your

resume. Career experts universally agree that the phrase is superfluous. One expert described it as a “one-line space waster”.

How do you include references on a resume?

  1. Name.
  2. Current Job/Position.
  3. Company.
  4. Phone Number.
  5. Email Address.
  6. Reference Description: Write one sentence explaining how you know or have worked with this person, where, when, and for how long.

How many references should you include in your resume?

Typical job seekers should have

three to four references

, while those seeking more senior positions should consider listing five to seven, experts suggest. And be sure to list your strongest reference first.

Should I add references to my resume?

As a rule of thumb,

you don't need to include references in your resume

. The truth is, every inch of your resume is valuable real estate, so you'd be better off using that space to highlight your skills or achievements.

What kind of references do employers want?

  • Recent Bosses. …
  • Coworkers. …
  • Professors. …
  • Friends… But Only if They're a Professional Reference. …
  • Group Members. …
  • Any Place You've Volunteered. …
  • The Person You Babysat for or Whose Lawn You Mowed Every Summer. …
  • High School Teacher or Coach.

What can I say instead of references available upon request?

  • Leave it off your resume. Including “References available upon request.” on your resume is unnecessary. …
  • Provide a separate reference list. …
  • Use the space for relevant information. …
  • Hard worker. …
  • Go-getter. …
  • Out-of-the-box.

What does references available on request mean?

References available upon request – This is a

phrase to avoid as it takes up valuable space that can be used to add more details about your actual accomplishments and experience

. … If a company is interested in making you an offer, they will ask you for references and at that point, you can provide them.

How do you end a resume?

Make sure to offer thanks for their time and consideration, and choose a professional closing salutation such as,

“Sincerely

,” “Best regards” or “Thank you for your consideration.” Avoid overly familiar phrases like, “Yours,” “Cheers” or “Take care.”

What is character reference examples?

  • Coworker.
  • Co-volunteer or volunteer leader.
  • Coach.
  • Client or customer.
  • Vendor or business acquaintance.
  • Professor or academic advisor.
  • Personal or professional mentor.
  • Fellow student or graduate from an educational program.

What should you include in a reference?

  1. The Name of the Author (s) Put the surname first and then any initials and any title (i.e. Sir or Lord, but not academic or other titles). …
  2. Date of Publication. This usually appears on the fly-leaf of a book. …
  3. The title. …
  4. The Publication Details.

What do you do if you have no references?

  1. Make a personal connection. When you ask someone to be a reference, make it as personal as possible. …
  2. Be specific and open. …
  3. Renew an old contact. …
  4. Give them tools to verify your success. …
  5. Show gratitude.

Do employers actually call references?


Employers typically contact references toward the end of the hiring process

. … Employers could ask for references at any point in the hiring process. It's usually helpful to prepare a list of references when you first start looking for jobs so you can offer it whenever the employer asks.

Is two references enough for a resume?

The preferred approach is for

you to suggest one or two references most relevant for the job you've applied to

. If the employer asks for more names, or makes a specific request – such as wanting to speak to your most recent boss – you can respond accordingly.

Do employers check references if they aren't going to hire you?

Do employers check references if they aren't going to hire you?

An employer may not know whether they are

or will not hire the job applicant at this stage of the interview process. Checking references happens after the interviews have been conducted and before a job offer has been made.

Do employers call all three references?

Most employers will call your references only if you are the final candidate or one of the final two.

Occasionally the final three or four

. Every now and then an employer will check all the people they interview, although to me that's inconsiderate of the reference.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.