How (and when) to include references on a resume?

Putting references in a resume was once considered as a norm. However, now many employers don’t ask candidates to send them straight away. Instead, they are most commonly required at the end of the recruitment process.

However, including references in your CV is (almost) always a good idea as they vouch for your credibility and competency. That said, we decided to give you all the know-how on how to include them in your CV and improve your chances of getting an interview.

What are the references in a CV?

Before we dive in and explain how you should include references in a CV, we should clarify what references are.

Most commonly, references are people who can testify about your work capabilities to your prospective employers, such as former managers and colleagues. Shortly, references are people who can prove they know how you work and testify your work ethics, team spirit, character, and competencies.

When to include references in a CV?

If you’re wondering when is the best idea to put your references in a CV, here’s the list of most common situations.

• When the employer requests them.

Some employers request references in the CV during the first stages of the job application process. In this case, you have to include references in your CV right away.

• To impress the recruiter.

If a respectable person such as the dean or director of a famous company can vouch for your work, then putting references in your CV might be a good idea as a way to impress the prospective employer.

• To make things easier for the recruiter.

By putting your references in the resume, you might make things easier for prospective employers as they can check you in every stage of the recruitment process.

• To boost your credibility.

Putting references in a resume can give you more weight and credibility, as it shows you’re comfortable with your own track record, and you’re sure in your professional capabilities. Furthermore, including references in a CV shows you don’t have anything to hide, which can make recruiters lean to your side.

• To fill up blank space.

In case you just started with your career, you might be struggling to fill out the blank spaces in your CV. References can be an excellent way to fill up your CV, so it looks “complete.”

How to write references on a CV?

Knowing how to put references in your CV can make a significant difference while applying for the job. Here are some guidelines to follow to help you do it correctly.

Your references must include full name, job title, telephone number, and email address. This way, a prospective employer can see they’re trustworthy, relevant, and contact them if needed.

You should always ask permission before including the references. You should never disclose a contact before asking permission for it, to let them know they might get a phone call.
Use your most recent employer for a reference, as they might be the ones who might be the most relevant.

Where to put references on a CV?

Most commonly, the reference section is in the lower part of the CV. In case you don’t feel comfortable sharing references right away but need some space to make your CV fuller, you can still keep the reference section but write “References are available upon request” and solve the problem on the spot.

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