Updated September 22, 2026.
In short: do not put references on your resume unless the job posting or application explicitly asks for them. Employers ask for references later, usually once you are a finalist, and they expect them on a separate reference page. Leave out the line "references available upon request" too — every employer already assumes it, so it spends a line and tells the reader nothing. Instead, prepare a one-page reference list with three to five people, formatted to match your resume, and send it when you are asked.
Should you put references on a resume?
No, in most cases. A resume is a short argument for why you fit the role, and every line should support that argument. A list of names and phone numbers does not; it only becomes useful at the stage when an employer is ready to call someone.
There are two practical reasons to keep them off as well:
- Privacy. A resume gets forwarded, uploaded to job boards and stored in applicant tracking systems. Your references did not agree to have their phone numbers travel that far.
- Control. When you hand over references at the right moment, you can warn each person first and tell them which role is calling. A name printed on every resume you send gets called without warning, about jobs you may have forgotten applying for.
When should you include references on a resume?
Only when you are told to. The situations where it is appropriate:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The posting says "include references" or "resume with three references" | Send a separate reference page with the resume, or add a References section at the end if a single file is required |
| The application form has reference fields | Fill in the fields; do not repeat them on the resume |
| A recruiter or hiring manager asks for references after an interview | Send your reference page by email the same day |
| The employer's own instructions or template include a references section (some public-sector and academic applications) | Follow the employer's format exactly |
| Nobody has asked | Leave references off entirely |
Academic CVs and resumes in some countries follow different conventions — some list referees as standard. If you are applying outside the US, or to an academic post, follow the norm in that field and the instructions in the posting.
Should you write "references available upon request"?
No. The phrase was once a polite signal; today it is filler. Employers assume you will provide references if they ask, and they will ask whether or not the line is there. Deleting it gives you a line back for something that earns its place — a stronger bullet, a certification, or a link to your portfolio.
The same goes for variations such as "references furnished on request" or "references: available." If you are short of space, this is the first line to cut. For more on what else to trim, see our guide on resume length: one page or two.
Who should you choose as a reference?
People who have seen your work recently and closely, and who will say so in specifics. Title matters much less than proximity: a team lead who reviewed your work every week is a better reference than a senior executive who met you twice.
| Reference type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Current or recent manager | The most persuasive reference for most roles | Do not list a current manager unless they know you are looking |
| Former manager | Experienced candidates and career changers | Pick one from the last few years if you can |
| Colleague or peer | Showing how you collaborate | Choose someone senior enough to comment on your results |
| Client or customer | Freelancers, consultants, sales and account roles | Get the client's permission before you share their details |
| Direct report | Management roles | Pair with a manager reference; one alone looks thin |
| Professor or academic advisor | Students and recent graduates | Best when they supervised a project, thesis or research work |
| Internship or volunteer supervisor | Entry-level candidates | Make sure they can describe what you actually did |
| Friend or family member | Nobody, for a job reference | Use a character reference only if a character reference is specifically requested |
Three is a common request; prepare four or five so you can choose the best match for each role and never lean on one person too often.
How do you format a reference page?
Make it a separate one-page document with the same header, fonts and margins as your resume, so the two look like a set. Then list each reference in the same format, in the same order.
The reference page layout, top to bottom:
1.Your header — copied from your resume: name, phone, email, city, LinkedIn if you use it.
2.A title — "References" or "Professional References."
3.Three to five entries, strongest first, separated by a blank line.
Each entry carries the same five pieces of information:
- Full name
- Current job title
- Current company or organization
- Phone number and email address — ask each person which they prefer
- Relationship — how you know them, for how long, and what work they saw
Here is a filled-in example. The names and details are placeholders, not real people:
Jordan Lee · Engineering Manager, Northwind Logistics · (555) 010-2233 · jordan.lee@example.com · Relationship: my direct manager at Northwind Logistics, 2022–2025; supervised the route-planning project described on my resume.
Priya Raman · Senior Product Designer, Contoso Health · (555) 010-4411 · priya.raman@example.com · Relationship: cross-functional partner at Contoso Health, 2021–2023; we shipped the patient-intake redesign together.
Dr. Marcus Webb · Associate Professor of Operations Research, State University · (555) 010-7788 · m.webb@example.edu · Relationship: capstone project advisor, 2020–2021.
On the real page, put each piece on its own line: name in bold, then title, company, contact details and relationship underneath.
The relationship line does the most work. It tells the caller what this person can speak to, which makes the conversation shorter and more useful for everyone.
If the employer wants references on the resume itself, how should that section look?
Put a "References" heading at the very end, after education and skills, and use the same entry format as the reference page above in a compact form: name, title and company on one line, contact details and the one-line relationship on the next. Keep the whole section short enough that it does not push your resume onto an extra page. If it would, send a separate reference page and note in your application that it is attached.
How do you ask someone to be a reference?
Ask before you list them, every time, and make it easy to say yes or no. A short message covers it:
Hi Jordan — I'm applying for operations analyst roles and would love to list you as a reference, since you saw the route-planning work up close. Would you be comfortable with that? If yes, I'll send you my resume and let you know before anyone is likely to call. No problem at all if the timing is wrong.
Once they agree:
- Send your current resume and the job description for each role that reaches the reference stage.
- Remind them of two or three specifics you would like them to mention — a project, a result, a skill the posting stresses.
- Confirm their preferred contact details and job title, which change more often than people expect.
- Tell them when to expect a call, and thank them afterwards, whatever the outcome. A short note works; our thank-you letter generator can draft one.
Some employers have a policy that limits what managers may say in a reference, such as confirming only dates and job title. If a former manager tells you that, ask whether a colleague from the same team could speak to your work instead.
Frequently asked questions
How many references should you have?
Prepare three to five. Three is a common request; having a couple more lets you match references to each role and avoid calling on the same person for every application.
Do references go on a one-page resume?
No. On a one-page resume, space is the scarcest resource you have, and references are the easiest thing to move off the page. Keep them on a separate reference page unless the employer specifically asks for them on the resume.
Should references be on a separate page?
Yes. A separate reference page, formatted to match your resume, is the standard way to provide them. Send it only when asked, or with your application if the posting requires it.
Can I use a coworker as a reference?
Yes, especially a senior colleague who worked closely with you and can describe your results. Most employers will also want at least one person who supervised you, so combine a coworker reference with a current or former manager where you can.
Is it okay to use a friend as a reference?
Not as a professional reference. A friend can only speak to your character, and employers checking references want to hear about your work. If an application asks separately for a personal or character reference, a long-standing acquaintance who is not a relative is the usual choice.
What if I don't have any professional references?
Use the people who have supervised you in any setting: professors, internship or volunteer coordinators, coaches, part-time job managers, or clients from freelance work. Pair them with a resume that shows the same work in concrete bullets — the resume builder and our resume examples library help with that part.