References on a resume: should you list them, and how?

References are people an employer can contact to confirm what you say about yourself: that you worked where you say you did, in the role you describe, and that you did it well. Whether you list them on your resume depends mostly on where you are applying.

The short answer

• US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia and many other markets: leave references off the resume. Bring them out when the employer asks, usually late in the process.
• Some markets, such as Turkey: listing two references on the CV is common practice, though many candidates still choose to share them only on request.
• Any market: if the job ad or application form asks for references, provide exactly what it asks for.

Why references are usually left off

There are three practical reasons:

1. Space. A resume is short. Names and phone numbers of other people take up lines you could use for your own results.
2. Privacy. A resume gets forwarded, uploaded to job boards and stored in databases. Your referees did not agree to have their phone numbers travel that far.
3. Timing. Many employers contact references only for their final candidates, often just before or after an offer. Until then, they do not need the details.

What about “References available upon request”?

In the US and UK this line is generally considered unnecessary. Employers assume you can provide references when asked, so the line takes space without telling them anything new. If you need the room, cut it.

In markets where the line is still common, or where an empty references section would look odd, it is a reasonable compromise: it tells the reader you have references ready without publishing anyone’s details. In AlderCV, the references section has a one-click option that replaces the list with this sentence in your resume’s language.

Who to choose

Good referees know your work well and have seen it recently. In order of usefulness:

1. Your current or most recent manager. They are the reference employers want most.
2. A previous manager from a relevant role.
3. A senior colleague, client or project lead who worked closely with you.
4. For students and graduates: an internship supervisor, a professor who supervised your project, a part-time job manager or a volunteer coordinator.

Avoid:

• Friends and family. Employers expect professional references.
• Someone who barely remembers you. A lukewarm reference can hurt more than none.
• Senior names who did not work with you. A director who knew you only by name cannot speak to your work.

If you left a job on bad terms, do not name that manager. Choose a colleague or a different manager from the same company, or someone from the job before. If an interviewer asks why your last manager is not on the list, one plain sentence is enough: “We worked together for a short time, so I’ve listed the team lead who saw more of my work.”

When you cannot use your current manager

Many people look for work without their current employer knowing, and hiring companies are used to it. Use a previous manager or a former colleague who has since left the company, and ask the hiring company to contact your current employer only after an offer. When a form or a recruiter asks “May we contact your current employer?”, you can write:

Yes, after a conditional offer. My current employer doesn’t know I’m looking, and I’ve listed my previous manager and a former colleague for now.

Ask first, every time

Never list or share someone as a referee without asking. When you ask:

• Check that they are willing and feel able to give a positive reference.
• Confirm the email address and phone number they prefer, and their current job title.
• Tell them roughly which roles you are applying for, so they are not surprised by a call.

A short message is enough:

Hi Sarah, I’m applying for operations manager roles and would like to name you as a reference, since you managed me during the warehouse migration at Northfield. Would you be comfortable with that? If yes, is this the best email and number to share? Thanks a lot.

“Would you be comfortable” gives them an easy way to say no. A referee who hesitates is better found out now than during a check.

How to format a reference list

When an employer asks, send a separate one-page list. Use the same header and design as your resume so it looks like part of the same application.

For each referee include:

• Name
• Job title and organisation (current)
• Relationship to you, and when, for example “My line manager at Northfield Logistics, 2021 – 2024”
• Email and phone number

Sarah Klein
Head of Operations, Northfield Logistics
My line manager, 2021 – 2024
sarah.klein@example.com · +44 20 7946 0000

Tom Avery
Senior Product Manager, Brightline Software
Worked together on the warehouse system rollout, 2022 – 2023
tom.avery@example.com · +44 20 7946 0001

Two or three references are usually enough. Put the most relevant one first. If a referee has changed jobs since they worked with you, list their current title and employer and say where you worked together in the relationship line.

Countries where references go on the CV

In some markets, including Turkey, many CVs end with a references section listing two people with their name, title, company and phone number. Recruiters there are used to it, and some application forms ask for references directly. Asking permission matters even more here, because the details are visible to anyone who sees your CV. If you are unsure what a particular employer expects, follow the job ad or use the “available on request” line.

When you apply abroad from such a market, remove the references section from the version you send to US, UK or similar employers. Our guide on resume vs CV covers other differences between markets.

Brief your referees before a check

When an employer tells you they will contact your references, let your referees know straight away. Send them:

• The job title and company.
• The job ad or a short summary of what the role needs.
• Two or three things you hope they can mention, such as a project you led together or a skill the role depends on.

Hi Sarah, good news: Carrow Foods has asked for references for the operations manager role, so you may hear from their HR team this week. The role is mostly about running two warehouses and the carrier contracts. If it comes up, the warehouse migration and the night-shift rota we rebuilt in 2023 are the closest match. The ad is attached. Thank you again.

You are not asking them to say anything untrue. You are reminding them of the examples that fit, so they don’t fall back on general praise when the call comes.

Afterwards, thank them, and tell them how it went. People are more willing to help again when they hear the outcome.

What referees are usually asked

Reference checks vary, but the questions tend to cover the same ground. Knowing them helps you pick the right people and brief them well:

• Dates of employment and job title, which some companies confirm only through HR.
• What your responsibilities were and how you handled them.
• Strengths, and areas where you could still grow.
• How you worked with colleagues, managers or clients.
• Whether they would work with you, or hire you, again.

Some employers, particularly larger ones, have a policy that only HR may confirm dates and job titles. If a former manager tells you this, ask whether they can still speak informally, or choose another referee who can talk about your work in more detail.

Written references and recommendation letters

Some fields and countries use written references:

• Academic and research roles often ask for letters of recommendation, sent directly by the referee.
• Germany and some neighbouring countries have a tradition of formal employer references (Arbeitszeugnis) that candidates attach to applications.
• LinkedIn recommendations are public and can support your profile, but they do not replace references an employer contacts directly.

Follow the instructions in the application. If it asks for referees to send letters directly, do not send them yourself. Give letter writers at least two weeks and the deadline in writing.

Common mistakes

• Listing someone without asking. It is discourteous, and a surprised referee rarely gives a strong reference.
• Outdated contact details. A wrong phone number can stall a hiring process, so confirm them each time you start a new search.
• References only from long ago. Recent managers carry more weight; a ten-year-old reference works only next to a recent one.
• Personal references for a professional role. Unless the employer asks for a character reference, stick to people who saw you work.
• Using a whole page of the resume for references. Keep them on a separate list unless the market expects them on the CV.
• Not preparing referees. A reference who does not know what the job is gives a vague answer.

FAQ

How many references should I have ready?

Two or three, with at least one manager. Some employers ask for a specific number; give them that.

Can I use a colleague instead of a manager?

Yes, especially if your manager is unavailable or you are keeping your search confidential. Mention the relationship clearly so the employer knows what the person can speak to.

What if I have no work experience?

Use a teacher or professor who knows your work, an internship supervisor, a part-time job manager or the coordinator of a volunteer project. See our guide on writing a resume with no experience.

Should references go in my cover letter?

No. The cover letter is about why you fit the job. Send references when asked, or as a separate document if the application requires them. Our cover letter guide covers what does belong there.

Do employers really call references?

Many do, particularly before making an offer, but practices vary by company and country. Assume they will, and prepare your referees accordingly.

Quick checklist

• Checked whether this market or application expects references on the CV
• Two or three referees, including a recent manager
• Each referee asked and agreed
• Current job titles and preferred contact details
• A separate reference list in the same design as your resume
• Referees briefed with the job ad when a check is coming
• "References available upon request" only where it is expected

For the rest of your resume, from the header to the last section, see how to write a resume.