Its Unfair To Circulate Other Peoples Info Online
Whenever Ive seen candidates list references on their CV, they usually do so like this:
As you can see there is some key personal information on that person, sitting on a document that will be distributed online, uploaded to websites and possibly seen by hundreds of people.
This could potentially leave the individual at risk of receiving unsolicited calls from less scrupulous recruiters.
Why?
Because a small minority of recruiters will look at your CV and see those reference details as a person who could be in a position to hire staff, and view them as a potential new client.
They will then cold call them to pitch their services to them.
If you want to maintain good relationships with your previous managers, you probably wouldnt want to put them in a position where they are being cold called off the back of your CV.
Note: I stress that the vast majority of recruitment consultants do not use this tactic but during my time working in the industry I have seen it happen.
How Many References On Your Resume Are Good
If possible, five. However, three references are the minimum.
Most jobs require one to three for a resume. But, its better if you had five to seven references, especially if youre after executive or senior roles.
Whichever the number, the list of your references need to be in the order of relevance.
Show Your Reporting Lines
One argument for including references in your CV is to demonstrate your level of seniority and prove that you have good relationships with important figures in the organisations you have worked at.
A simple way to do this is by explaining your reporting lines in your role descriptions.
You can describe who you report to in the outline of your role description, like the example CV section below.
You can also demonstrate further interactions with senior figures in your workplace to show readers how strong your relationships with them are.
Doing these things will demonstrate your gravitas and ability to work closely with senior staff.
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Select Your Resume References
When selecting resume references, consider people who can speak to your best qualities, skills and qualifications. If possible, choose people who can discuss talents specific to the job youre applying for.
Generally, the best people to include as references are:
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Current or former manager or direct supervisor
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Current or former co-worker
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Current or former employees/direct reports
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Academic adviser
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Professional mentor
When thinking through who to include on your reference list, make sure you are comfortable with these people knowing you are looking for a new job, especially if they are someone you currently work with.
Related: How to Request a Business Reference
Create A Separate Reference Page
More often than not, job applicants who have chosen to include references on their resume will do so on an entirely separate page to be included with the resume.
The second option of listing your references on a separate page is actually the preferred and recommended method.
This is because references are not generally expected to be included on an initial resume and can take up unnecessary space that may be off-putting to hiring managers.
Comparatively, a separate page of references gives the hiring manager the opportunity to look more closely at the information in the resume without becoming visually disoriented by too many sections.
Hint: Not sure how to list other sections of your resume? Check out our Resume Guides to learn more about how to craft each section of your resume.
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The References Aren’t Relevant To The Job Industry
If your references aren’t relevant to the industry or job you’re applying for, leave them out of your CV. You should include references that can provide relevant feedback about your performance, work ethic and qualifications rather than just listing anyone you have worked with in the past. For example, if you have a professional reference from a previous job as a cashier, you should leave this off of your CV if you are applying for an entry-level developer role because they may not be able to provide enough applicable feedback to a potential employer.
If you only include relevant references, employers can get input that is specific to the job to better assess your fit for the role.
Q& a: Should You Put References In A Cv
The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.
When you apply for jobs, employers may request a CV as a summary of your professional and academic abilities and achievements. One way to provide additional details about yourself to potential employers is by including a list of references in your CV. Employers may use your references to assess whether you are a good fit for the job, so it’s important to decide if including references would benefit you and improve your chances of being hired.
In this article, we discuss when it’s appropriate to include references in a CV and how you should format your reference list.
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Follow Reference Request Etiquette
If youve decided to include someone on your reference list, be sure to ask their permission first. You can find details on asking people to be a reference for you with email templates and examples in How To Ask Someone to Be Your Reference. Additionally, let them know they may be contacted by your potential employer. This is another reason to avoid placing the reference on your resume: If youre sending out resumes for several jobs, you may not have the opportunity to give your references ample warning.
Provide your contacts with details on the job youre applying for and an up-to-date resume to help them prepare. If they decline, be sure to thank them and gracefully move on to your next option.
While references are valuable for employers, you should follow their lead when deciding how and when to send them. Whether listed on the job description or asked by a hiring manager, follow directions carefully.
If a list of contacts isnt specifically required, simply send your resume without references and any other requested documents like applications or cover letters. If you are asked to send references, develop a separate document instead of placing them directly on your resume.
Alternative Ideas For Utilising References
If youve gathered some great references, you will want to show them off. But if youre not including them on your CV, what is the best way to get them seen by recruiters? Here are a couple of suggestions:
1. Reference list – Create a reference list in a separate, professional document. This way, once you are asked by a potential employer for references, you can send them across quickly in a clear, easy to understand document. Dont forget to ask permission of anyone you plan to include first.
2. Use LinkedIn – Dont forget to ensure your LinkedIn profile is as up-to-date as possible and ask for endorsements and recommendations. As the world’s largest professional network, you can guarantee that a hiring manager will review your profile, so while not adding references on your CV at the application stage may be the correct etiquette to follow, having an active LinkedIn profile full of testimonials is the most up-to-date way to showcase your work experience.
Proceed with caution if you do decide to use references available upon request. Ultimately, you want to make every word in your CV count and ensure you have relevant and up-to-date references available when required.
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How To Deal With Professional References
Having said all that, great professional references could be the secret sauce that seals the deal. If you were a speechwriter for President Barack Obama, hopefully that would appear somewhere in your employment history, and possibly in your summary. But if your friend Barack has offered to vouch for you to future employers, think twice before you include his private email and personal cellphone on your public resume.
You could include this info in a separate attachment, or even as part of your cover letter. But does it belong in your public resume? Most experts would say no, and Barack Obama would probably agree.
How And When To Include Cv References
CV references can be a super important part of your job application.
If done right, they can really give you the edge you need. A positive character assessment from a reputable and reliable source could be what sets you apart from other, equally qualified candidates.
But if you do it wrong, though, the references could make your CV look sloppy and unprofessional.
With so much at stake, you definitely dont want to make any mistakes.
Worry not, though! In this article, well teach you all you need to know about CV references.
- How to Choose the Right CV Reference?
- When Should You Include References on a CV?
- How to Include References on a CV?
And more! So, lets dive right in:
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How To List References On A Resume
February 20, 2022 | By Eva Chan, CPRW| Reviewed by Geoffrey Scott, CPRW
Experts and employers agree that you usually dont need to put references on your resume. So where do you include them in your application? Well show you when and how to list professional references when you apply for jobs whether on your resume or a dedicated references list.
Determine Who Should Be A Reference On Your Resume
How do you decide? Well, it depends on the circumstances.
Do you currently have a job? Maybe youre interested in finding a more rewarding position or just seeing whats out there.
In this case, dont list your boss as a reference.
Doing so might put you at risk.
Although potential employers should request permission beforehand, you dont want to take the chance of your employer knowing about your plans.
Are you in between jobs?
Then its fine if you list a previous employer as a reference. Only if youre certain theyll give you a glowing testimonial, though.
Either way, pick referees that put you in the best light possible.
For example, If youre not on good terms with a previous supervisor, pick a coworker that would speak highly of you.
Avoid personal references as their opinions of you are biased. Go for professional references such as your current or former managers, colleagues, professors, and even customers. List the most recent, relevant references.
Normally, the hiring managers arent interested in referees youve worked with 15 years ago.
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Who Should I Nominate As Referees
The most common practice is to provide names of people to whom you reported during your previous roles.
However, the company that you apply to can also designate the types of referees theyd like to contact. For example, they may ask to speak with a stakeholder in a project that youve led.
Ensure that the people you nominate are well-spoken, eloquent and professional. And always aim to nominate people with the most clout.
Should I Put References Available Upon Request
Adding references available upon request on resume footers was a common practice in the past. Employers who didnt have large human resources departments needed a way to check whether a potential hire was a good fit. With no or limited internet, calling a former boss or manager was an excellent way to gauge whether an employee was telling the truth.
As time progressed, many people used their positions of power to abuse reference-giving. They started to stray into illegal territory by giving out information based on personal dislikes and discriminating against former employees.
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How Do I Prepare My References
To prepare your references, you can inform them that an employer may contact them and ask them questions about their experience working with you. Consider contacting your references in advance so they know to anticipate a phone call or email from a hiring manager. They can also contemplate how they want to describe their connection to the employer. Preparing your references is a courtesy and it can allow you to reconnect with them, especially if substantial time has passed since you’ve worked together.
For example, if you’re preparing for a managerial position at a different agency, it may have been years since you shared an office with your direct supervisor from your entry-level position. You can deliver a message to them and explain the status of your job search and how their review of your credentials can help you secure your desired role. Now your acquaintance has time to recall details about your work style, and they can have a productive conversation with your potential employer. It may be beneficial to call or email your references before you apply for the job.
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When Do You Need References
Employers will typically check your references just before theyre ready to make an offer, Papadopoulos says. Thats why you dont need to provide them when youre first applying for a job. But its a good idea to have them ready to go before you even land an interview.
If a company is ready to hire you pending a reference check, the last thing you want is to be held up by asking people to be a reference or collecting their contact information. Instead, you should have your references ready and keep them updated during your search, Papadopoulos says.
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When Shouldnt I Include References On A Cv
Since the inception of CVs, it has become a common practice for job seekers to include their references on their CVs. In fact, some careers advisors have gone so far to declare that including references on a CV is highly recommended!
In reality, references on a CV are not a necessity its entirely optional, and in some cases, it is best to omit them from your CV.
Lets explore the disadvantages of adding references on your CV:
- References at this early stage of the application process are not required and completely irrelevant.
- It takes up valuable space which can be better utilised by adding more important information to ones CV.
- It could raise more questions or suspicions if a candidate cannot or does not include their current/previous employer.
- References can be provided upon request hence, it is sufficient to write, Available upon request.
- It can take up a lot of time to find two suitable referees, ask their personal details and ask their permission to be used as references. Why not spend this valuable time in looking and applying for jobs?
These are all valid arguments. Therefore, the following candidates shouldnt write references on their CVs:
Those candidates that do not wish to add references to their CVs should write: References are available upon request.
References You Should Avoid Putting On Your Resume
Bad references can seriously damage your candidacy. Heres a list of references you should avoid:
- Managers youve had professional conflicts with
- Professionals who arent willing to be your references
- Your family members, friends, or any other personal references
- People with the same surname as yours even though you are not related
- Managers who dont know much about your accomplishments
- Lecturers who dont remember you
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Reasons To Include References Available Upon Request On Your Resume
If the notation about having references has become outdated, why would you ever want to include it on your resume? There are a few times when you might want to buck modern convention and include the phrase and even list actual references on your resume.
Please note that 99.9% of the job seekers should leave the line references available upon request or any variation thereof off of their resume. It looks outdated and does nothing to help you beyond taking up space.
Do You Put References On Your Resume
Some sites say to include them and others say they’re a waste of space.
Figured I’d get some opinions from fellow IT folks.
Absolutely not. Your resume will get consumed into databases and passed around to different recruiters even if you don’t directly engage with them.
One of my worst experiences was working with a sleazeball recruiter years ago, and before he would even submit me, he demanded references. I complied My references, one of whom was a very senior level manager who kind of took me under his wing at a previous shop, apparently got a call from the recruiter with a job that he’d be a great fit for. Apparently the recruiter was adding my references to his rolodex. It made me look incredibly bad to my references Even worse, as has come up recently on this subreddit, one of the large companies for whom I worked has a policy against giving references. Most people just ignore it, but if you make it a public thing… Don’t poke the bear.
These days, I treat my reference sheet with far more reverence: As always, I’ll warn each references that a call may be coming, and I won’t give the names over unless I’m sure that it’s something worthwhile. And I expect anyone for whom I am a reference to do the same for me.
Oh, and keep at least three versions of your resume:
and a text version of each version in advance. That way when you hit a ATS that needs plaintext, I can just copy/paste and not worry about artifacts/etc.)
You have references?
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You Have Only One Or Two Appropriate References
If you have less than three professional references, it may be best to leave them out of your CV. This is because employers use references to validate a range of skills, experience and qualifications, and having a larger reference list to contact can mean a better review of your capabilities. If you only have one or two references, you may be better off filling the space in your CV with relevant information about yourself instead.