How & When to Add References on a Resume? The 2022 Guide with Samples & Examples
References on resume. Or Resume on references?
The reference page for resumes is a debatable issue.
Are you also confused about whether professional references on resume should be included or not?
And what is the best way to include resume references?
In this blog post, we will discuss how to list references on a resume.
You can try our Online Resume Builder here. Get your customized resume built by professionals!
Read on to find out about professional references on a resume.
Here's a list of the topics that we will cover in this blog:
Adding Referances to Resume. Yes or No?
Old school says yes. Modern era says no.
Some old school people suggest that reference page for resume are right.
But the modern people say that they should not be written.
Adding referances to resume were an old school thing. In the modern times, they are not preferred.
Usually, the recruiters do not like to see references in the resume. It wastes their time.
Instead, you can include them in cover letter or on a separate page at the end of your resume.
There are some special circumstances when you can/should include references in your resume.
- Example: When dealing with a hiring manager, or when it is specifically written in the job description.*
How to list professional references on a resume?
If you have decided to include a reference section of resume, read on about how to list references on a resume.
Best idea is to include the references in a separate page. This reference page for resume should be attached after the resume.
This is very helpful as the recruiter can skip this part if s/he wants to. This does not waste their time.
There is a set format for the resume references. It is important that this reference page for resume does not look superficial to the employer.
Following format must be kept in mind while writing resume references:
First Name & Last Name
Professional Position / Title
Name of Company
Address of Company
City, State, Zip of Company
Phone Number of Reference
Email address of Reference
LinkedIn id, if any
Some quick checks:
- Use a dedicated references page for resume at the end of your resume.
- The format of your references page for resume should be consistent. This means that you should include same set of information for each of your references in the list.
- The design should be same as your cover letter or resume. This makes sure that your references do not look abrupt.
Who can be my references on resume?
To make your resume stand out, you must choose your resume references wisely.
Check your resume references for any abrupt references before you send it!
The references on resume must be applicable to the job you are applying for. Professional resume references are considered the best for a resume.
This list of references should not be of family relations. Personal references are generally not recommended.
It shows that you could not find enough professional references. The recruiter might think that your industry background is weak.
The best references to add are working professionals. They must be related to the industry to which you are applying. But they should be unrelated to you (in a familial sense).
It is very impressive if you have a diverse list of references.
How many references?
So, how big your references list can be?
On an average, Three to Five is the ideal number of references for a reference page for resume.
Will they agree to be my reference or should I ask them first?
We are humans.
And humans forget to ask the permission of our references before listing them.
Do not just list down names on your references. It is polite to ask first!
The rule of thumb is to ask permission of the person listed in the references first.
You can send them an email or call them. To do this, you can note this information from their professional LinkedIn ids.
If they grant you the permission, only then you should list them.
Do not worry! They are not cruel at all!
This helps you save your ass in case your employer calls them for verification. Now, they will know before hand.
Also you can make sure their contact information is correct.
When your job profile is closed or you get the job, you can thank them.
Drop in a polite email. If they are a bit close to you, you can also invite them to dinner.
How does Reference Page for a resume look like?
Professionals at Hiration have designed a free resume references template for you.
To get your resume reviewed for free, click here.
Before listing your 3-5, here is a quick checklist:
- Your name and address should be on the top. It can be left-, right-, or center-aligned. Follow the same style as your resume and cover letter. Do not forget to include your phone number and email address.
- Follow with date and company address. Make sure it is left-aligned above your first reference entry: first the recruiter’s name (if you have it), company’s name, and company’s address.
- Finally, add reference titles/subtitles such as “References”. If you have both professional references and personal references, you can add both subtitles.
Happy Resume Writing!