References on a Resume: Where They Go and How to List Them

No, not on the resume itself. Employers ask for references late in the process, usually after interviews, so the space on your resume is better used for experience and results. Career centers recommend a separate reference page that you hand over when someone asks.

There are two exceptions. If a job posting or application form asks you to include references, follow the instruction exactly. Some academic, government and international applications also expect referees at the end of a CV.

Most employers ask for three. Prepare three to five so you can choose the most relevant people for each job and still have someone if a reference is traveling or slow to reply. University career centers give the same range: the University of Iowa suggests identifying three to five people and USC says employers typically want three to five.

Senior roles sometimes ask for more, including a mix of managers, peers and people you managed. Follow the number the employer gives.

Pick people who have watched you work and can describe specific results. A recent direct manager is the strongest reference. After that, a senior colleague, a client, or for students a professor, internship supervisor or coach.

Leave out family members and friends who never worked with you. Employers want a neutral view of how you work, so a personal reference adds little.

• Current or former direct managers
• Senior colleagues or team leads you worked with closely
• Clients or customers (with their permission)
• Professors, advisors or internship supervisors for students and new graduates
• Volunteer coordinators, if your best recent work was unpaid

Use the same header as your resume (name and contact details in the same font and layout) so the pages look like a set. Title the page "Professional References". Then list each reference in the same order of details, with a blank line between people.

Put the person whose opinion matters most for this job first. A one-line note on how you know each person saves the employer a question.

Ask before you list anyone, by phone, in person or by email. Tell them the kind of role you are applying for and ask whether they can speak to specific strengths.

When an employer requests references, send each person the job posting, the name of the company and a few points you would like them to mention. Thank them afterwards and tell them how it went.

No. Every employer knows you will provide references if asked, so the line tells them nothing and takes a row you could use for a skill or result. Leave it out on both resumes and CVs written for the U.S. market.

1. 1

   Pick three to five people

   Choose recent managers first, then senior colleagues or, for students, professors and internship supervisors.

2. 2

   Ask each person

   Get their permission and confirm the phone number and email they want you to share.

3. 3

   Copy your resume header

   Start a new page with the same name and contact block as your resume, then add the title "Professional References".

4. 4

   List each reference

   Name, job title, organization, phone, email and one line on how you know them. Put the strongest reference first.

5. 5

   Send it only when asked

   Save the page as a PDF and attach it when an employer requests references. Tell your references to expect a call.

A reference entry laid out the way most employers expect. The people are fictional.

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We opened every page below on that date. Pay, rules and requirements change, so check the source before you rely on a detail.

1. University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center: References (three to five references, who to avoid, order of importance)
2. USC Career Center: References and Recommendation Letters Overview (employers typically want three to five references)
3. Bellevue University Career Services: References (separate page, matching header, details per reference)