Writing References on a Resume: A Guide With Examples

Professional references on a resume are a list of people who will provide information about you and your work to potential employers. Employers prefer a list of professional references because they can receive a second view of the value you'll bring to their team from a 3rd party.

Each professional reference can affirm recruiters when it comes to your character, abilities, and work performance. Recruiters want to utilize your references to double-check what you've put on your resume. References on your resume are utilized to verify facts of your job experience and to confirm many of the excellent traits they noticed throughout the interview.

According to resume experts, references on a resume shouldn't be included unless the recruiter specifically asks for one. HR departments are ladened with a lot more important tasks than going through each candidate's list of resume references. That's why most times, professional references aren't requested until there's a possibility of you getting hired. This, however, is not a resolute "no."

Certain job descriptions require their candidates to provide references or testimonials. Notable among them are consulting firms that require candidates to provide testimonials of their performance from their previous firm(s). So, job seekers are allowed to include their references in their resumes in cases like this. References on a resume should only be included when requested. Otherwise, you should consider them to be excluded or kept in a separate document. 

Adding references to a resume is accepted in the following situations:

✅ The recruiter specifically asks for a reference list.

If the recruiter demands a reference list or page for a resume, make sure you include it in your application. 

✅ You are applying for jobs in the legal field.

If you're applying for a job in the legal field, you can include your reference list in your resume. This is so the recruiter might have an idea of the cases you've worked on and the skills you have developed.

Law firms are usually very competitive, so having a list of professional references that shows a high profile of contacts, firms, and skills you've acquired would be sure to land you the job faster.

✅ You are still a student.

You can include references on your resume from people such as professors or advisors. It is advisable nowadays that students seek internship opportunities while in school to further boost their employment chances. You can also add the networks you made during this time into the reference list on your resume. This will be great as you won’t only count on your university or college.

✅ You just graduated.

Just like students, fresh graduates can also include their references on a resume.

The majority of students and fresh graduates still lack work experience and might not have contacts that could recommend them. Due to this, most recruiters allow this group to have a mix of contacts in their reference list. They could be their favorite professor, a past leader they'd worked under in school or a member of a group they headed.

✅ You still have plenty of space left in your resume.

Do take note that every word in your resume should be of value and quality. Every amount of free space counts, so you may write a professional reference section or add a list if it’s necessary. 

There are some common ways of listing references on your resume. Here are some things to take in mind when writing references for a resume:

✒️ Writing “References available upon request”

This common way of mentioning references on your resume is something you should avoid. Employers already know this and besides, this takes up space in your resume. Don't waste a resume line by saying something that's obvious.

✒️ A separate references section at the end of the resume

You can list your references under a separate section on your resume, just like other resume parts (e.g. work experience, skills). When listing references on a resume, make sure to place this section at the end, since other sections are more important. Remember that the references on your resume may only be considered if employers want to inquire more about you, assuming you get the job interview.

Here is an example of a resume references section:

✒️ A separate sheet of reference list

You can dedicate a page for your professional references only if necessary.

Here is an example of a resume reference page:

Here are some steps to mind when listing references on a resume:

1. Decide on the number of references to include in the resume reference list.

If you make a section for professional references, you may provide 2 or 3 references, depending on how much space you have on your resume. You can provide up to 5 references if you are using a reference sheet. Refer to each reference list example for your resume shown in this article for a better idea.

2. Think about networks who can be good references for you.

People suitable for your references on your resume are those colleagues, employers, mentors, or professors whom you had a positive relationship with. Additionally, think of contacts with whom you established a strong bond and who have praised you for your past accomplishments at work.

On the other hand, people who are not fit to be part of your references on your resume are those who you feel are not close enough. Also, people you have had conflicts with are not suitable for putting as references on your resume.

3. Reach out to the people who you want as references.

Ask your contacts if they don’t mind being listed as references on your resume. Make sure to ask for their contact details such as email, phone number, and address.

4. Determine how you want to list the reference on your resume.

Lastly, it is up to you if you want to make a section on your resume or provide a separate sheet exclusively for your professional references.

When listing references in your resume, it is vital to have the following elements:

The most basic detail that cannot be missed out on when putting references on a resume. This is how employers will know who your contacts are and thus can address them properly (if they want to contact them).

For this element, the name of the company just suffices to save space. Any other details can be shown in the brief description part. 

List details such as street address and ZIP code to be clear on what branch or office you were employed in.

It is up to you if you want to provide the office number or your contact’s cellphone. If it’s the latter, make sure your acquaintance is okay with this.

Include the work email of your professional references to maintain a professional touch.

Give details of who the referee is and what was your relationship with them in your references on your resume.

Here is an editable resume references format you can freely use:

In this section, here are some more examples of references on a resume. Please take a look at each sample of references on a resume to have a better understanding.

Reference in resume for freshers

Here is a resume reference list example for freshers:

Reference in resume for students

Make sure each reference in your resume contains relevant details. Here is an example for students:

Reference in resume from coworkers

The last example provided displays professional references from coworkers.

--- Originally written by Jose Joaquin Rosales ---