Should You Include References on a Resume?

You shouldn't include references on your resume, and "References available upon request" is outdated and wastes valuable space. There are situations in the hiring process when a reference sheet should be submitted with your resume, and this article will teach you how to create it.

Why References Don't Belong on a Resume

There are three main reasons why you shouldn't include references on a resume:

• Resume space is limited: Every line on a resume should earn its place and should serve a purpose of demonstrating your job fit. In the early application stage, recruiters don't need to see your references.
• It's a privacy issue: Sharing a referee's contact details when you submit your resume for dozens of applications isn't only a formatting matter, but a privacy concern as well.
• "References available on request" says nothing: Everyone has references available on request, so saying it adds nothing to making your case.

A resume is supposed to be tailored for each job application, and every line in it should represent evidence of your qualifications. If you need help with polishing yours for your next application, Toptal Resume's AI resume builder guides you through the entire process with personalized suggestions and rewrites based on your experience and target role.

Exceptions to the Rule: When References Do Go on the Resume

The table below provides concise guidance on resume references, with exceptions to the rules depending on your specific case.

Even federal resumes for government positions, which are often perceived as more detailed, follow the same rules as those in the private sector. References belong to a later stage in the selection process, but according to federal resume guidelines, you can optionally include the names of your supervisors as references in the job entries of the work experience section on your resume.

How to Write a Reference Sheet

The table below provides detailed guidance on how to write references in the resume references document and how to format them properly.

The important aspect of a reference page for a resume isn't just the content details, but also their relevance for your target job and your relationship with the referee.

How Many References Should You List?

When making a professional reference list, 3 to 5 referees are considered standard for the following reasons:

• 3 to 5 references are the standard that avoids both the impression of incompleteness and overwhelming the reader
• Why not fewer: Listing one or two references can raise unnecessary questions about your network, and doesn't offer a rounded view
• Why not more: More than 5 reads like a filler and can create unnecessary work for recruiters

One practical rule: Always think about relevance and quality, instead of quantity. One strong reference from your manager is more effective than three references from peripheral colleagues.

Who to Ask and Who Not to Ask for a Reference

Before considering how to write professional references to submit for a job application, you should think about who the right person is to ask. Below is quick guidance to help you decide.

Strongest references (ranked by relevance):

1. Direct manager. Their opinion is the strongest evidence of your work, and it should be your first choice whenever possible.
2. Senior colleague. This is a strong option when a direct manager is unavailable or a strong addition to their reference. Same team or a cross-functional colleague.
3. Client or external stakeholder. This kind of credibility is particularly valuable for client-facing or consulting roles.
4. Professor or academic supervisor. An appropriate choice for early-career/entry-level jobs or academic roles.
5. Volunteering supervisor. This is a valid option for entry-level candidates or those whose most relevant experience comes from volunteer work (e.g., career-changers).

References to avoid:

• Family members or personal friends. They aren't evidence that confirms your professional performance.
• Peripheral colleagues. If a colleague that you barely know can't speak specifically to your work, their reference means nothing.
• Anyone you haven't spoken to recently. A referee who doesn't even remember working with you can't help you make your case.

How to Ask for a Reference and Prepare Your Referee

When asking someone for a reference, you should be short, avoid pressuring them, and always provide some context. To help you achieve that, below are two sample messages that you can use for the initial ask and to give them a heads-up before a recruiter's call.

Initial request:

"Hi [Name],

I'm actively searching for a job, and I'm applying for [describe the type of role(s) you've been applying for]. I'd be very grateful if you'd like to serve as a reference for me. More specifically, someone who can speak to [describe one or two relevant things related to that job they can confirm]. Would you be comfortable with that?

Let me know if you'd like me to share more details about the positions I'm targeting."

Before the call:

"Hi [Name],

I wanted to let you know that I've applied for the [role title] at [company name] and have reached the final stage. As it may include the reference check and the recruiter may reach out to you in the next week or two, I'm sending you my resume and the job description for more context and to provide the full picture."

Also, you can add specific points you'd like them to cover by saying that it would be great if they could mention a specific project or initiative you'd like highlighted, as well as how you handled a specific challenge or task.

To summarize, preparing the referee means sending the following three things:

• Your resume, so they see the same version as the employer, and can speak to the same experience and language.
• The job description, so they fully understand what the employer is looking for, and frame their observations accordingly.
• Points you'd like them to address, but be specific and avoid overwhelming them.

A prepared referee will be of more help to you than a surprised, unprepared one.

Reference Sheet Example

The reference sheet example shown in the image below follows all the advice we've provided so far on how to write and format references for a resume.

The contact section of the reference page is formatted in the same way as in a standard resume template, followed by the title "Professional References," and the list of referees. What works particularly well here, but is often omitted in practice, is the relationship explained for each referee. These descriptions mention the specific projects and the nature of collaboration between the referee and the candidate.

Downloadable Reference Sheet Templates

You can download the reference sheet template above in Word or PDF format and adapt it for your own referees:

• Word reference sheet template download
• PDF reference sheet template download

When the Rule Changes: How to Write References on a CV

Academic and research hiring situations are different than standard industry ones, and it's common, even expected, to write references in a CV. Referees are often named in the document itself rather than in a separate reference paper. Typically, two or three academic referees are listed at the end of a CV, with each entry including their name, title, institution, email, and phone number. This is standard practice in the UK and European academic hiring and in the US academic job markets as well.

The reason the rules change is the different contexts and purposes of a resume and a CV. While resumes are tailored, concise application documents that demonstrate your qualifications for a specific job you're applying for, and are adapted for each application, CVs represent your full professional and academic record. In academic, scientific, or research settings, a committee considering an application may contact the references listed on a CV as part of a structured review process. On the other hand, this may be done later in the process.

When Employers Actually Check References

The check of the references included in a resume typically happens in the final phase of the hiring process:

• When they check: Most often, when the final offer is being considered, and all the interviews have been completed successfully.
• What they ask: They usually confirm the dates, titles, and general performance, sometimes with a specific question about the role.
• What they can't ask: In most markets, they are not allowed to ask for protected personal details (such as medical history) or the salary.

What this means for candidates is that the reference check is rarely an elimination round, and it's done to confirm a decision, not to discover new details. Still, a bad choice can hurt your position, so choosing a strong reference is more important than choosing many.

Build Your Resume First

References are the last step in the hiring process, and the first thing that will get you to that stage is the resume. If you need help writing or polishing your resume for your next job application, Toptal's AI resume builder guides you through the entire resume writing process, section by section, with custom content suggestions based on your experience and the role you're applying for.