My account

You control your data

We use cookies to tailor the experience of creating resumes and cover letters. For these reasons, we may share your usage data with third parties. You can find more information about how we use cookies on our Cookies Policy. If you would like to set your cookies preferences, click the Settings button below. To accept all cookies, click Accept.

Settings Accept

Cookie settings

Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

Choose type of cookies to accept

Analytics

These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.

Performance and Personalisation

These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.

Advertising

These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.

Necessary

These cookies are essential for the Site’s performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.

To see a detailed list of cookies, click here.

Save preferences

How to List References on a Resume in 2024 (with Templates)

A carefully crafted reference page can give you a competitive edge over other job candidates. But do you know how to list references on a resume? You’re about to find out.

Olga Ber
Olga Ber
Career Expert
How to List References on a Resume in 2024 (with Templates)

Should I put references on my resume? Can I add my former colleague as a reference? Is there a reliable references template that I can use?

Those questions can give you a headache. But before you grab your favorite painkiller, remember that the answers are just a few scrolls (or swipes) away.

This guide will help you:

  • Decide whether you need to put professional references on your resume.
  • Avoid common mistakes that can make your resume references useless.
  • Select the right people for a reference page for your resume.
  • Format your resume references list like a pro.

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

Create your resume now

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWreferences on resume

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

Done with crafting your resume—well, except for the references? If you need extra help with resume writing, check out these guides:

Should I Put References on My Resume?

What’s the similarity between coffee mugs and resume reference lists? Both pair well with a resume, but they shouldn’t be right on your resume.

Unless the job ad states explicitly that you need to include references on your resume, leave them out.

However, preparing a reference list and keeping it ready is a good idea. The recruiter may ask for references later in the recruitment process. Then, you’ll send it in as a separate page matching your resume and cover letter design.

Why Shouldn’t You Include References on Your Resume?

Remember that the standard length for a resume is one page. A two-page resume only makes sense if you’re a seasoned pro with decades of professional awards and achievements.

Once you realize that you’ve only got one page, space becomes a precious commodity. And a resume references list can easily take up half a page if you’re not careful!

So, don’t put them on your resume unless you're asked to.

Writing “References Available on Request” on a Resume: Yes or No?

Many people add “References available on request” to their resumes, but HR experts consider this an outdated practice. This extra sentence is just a cliché that takes up valuable space and doesn’t add any new information.

Expert Hint: Check out other common resume mistakes you could make without even knowing it. Also, discover our resume writing tips that will skyrocket your chances of getting that dream job by making your resume stand out from the crowd.

How to List References on a Resume

Let’s go through creating a references page for your resume step by step:

1. Select the Right Resume References

Your first step is to pick the right people for your resume references list.

Remember that you should only include professional references—personal references from family members and friends are usually irrelevant and heavily biased, so recruiters won’t take them seriously.

And how many references for a resume is enough? 

Unless specified otherwise, aim for 3–5 professional references. Anything above five references is too many, and anything under 3 makes it look like you couldn’t find anyone who can vouch for you.

Resume References: Good Examples
  • Manager or direct supervisor (current or former)
  • Co-worker (current or former)
  • Employee who reports directly to you
  • Academic advisor (current or former)
  • Academic or professional mentor

All of these people can vouch for your professional skills, work ethic, and personal qualities. And, unless they hold a grudge against you, they’ll be honest in their feedback.

It might sound obvious, but don’t invite someone who might hold a grudge against you to be your reference. They might tell nasty things about you out of sheer spite and sabotage your job-seeking efforts.

Resume References: Bad Examples
  • Family
  • Best friend
  • Neighbor
  • Manager or co-workers with who you didn’t get along
  • Professor whose single lecture you attended a while ago
  • Random LinkedIn contact who liked your post three years ago

Those people don’t make good resume references. Personal references from family and friends have zero value for recruiters, and references from strangers just don’t make sense.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWcreate your resume now

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

2. Give Your Contacts a Fair Heads-Up

Don’t you hate when your phone number somehow lands in a telemarketer database, and you’re bombarded with unsolicited calls?

Well, this is what your former boss or academic supervisor might feel like when, suddenly, they get a call from a recruiter and have to answer questions about you. Heck, they might not even remember who you are!

Don’t give anyone’s contact information without their explicit permission.

Before you include anyone on your references page, contact them and ask them if it would be OK to mention them on your resume as a reference. If they’re uncomfortable with your request, respect their decision.

3. Craft the Reference Page for Your Resume

Now, let’s put these references on your resume, Or, in most cases, into a separate document styled like your resume and cover letter.

The first thing to put on your reference page is a header. Format it like a cover letter header:

Resume References Template—Header Example

[Your Name]

[Street Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Email]

[Phone Number]

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]

[Their Professional Title]

[Company Name]

[Street Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

After that, add a heading. “Professional References” is your best choice. Now’s the time to list your 3–5 entries.

Here’s how to list each of your references on your resume reference sheet:

What to Include on Your References List

  • Reference’s First & Last Name
  • Their Professional Title
  • Name of Their Company
  • Company Street Address
  • Company City, State & Zip Code
  • Reference’s Work Phone Number
  • Reference’s Work Email Address

Let’s look at a real-life reference list example:

GOOD EXAMPLE

Jesse M. Sanders

Senior Project Manager

DeerSweater Inc.

1945 Raintree Boulevard

Minneapolis, MN, 55402

763-976-1599

jesse.sanders@deersweater.com

This is what great references on a resume look like.

Now let’s look at a different example:

BAD EXAMPLE

Jesse M. Sanders

PM

DeerSweater Inc.

651-263-5930 (please call in the evenings)

jesse-the-vampire-slayer@hotmail.com

This one is wrong on quite a few levels. Can you spot all the mistakes?

Hint:

  • Jesse’s job title probably isn’t “PM.”
  • The reference contains his personal phone number.
  • It also includes his very personal email address.

Expert Hint: Before creating an entry on your references page, do a quick LinkedIn search to check whether that person still works at the same place and has the same job title. If they’ve changed their job, provide the most recent contact information, so if someone was your boss at ABC Inc. but has since moved to DEF Inc., list DEF Inc. as their company.

4. Format Your Reference List

Format your professional references just like you would format your cover letter:

  • 1-inch resume margins on all sides
  • An easy-to-read resume font
  • All paragraphs aligned to the left
  • Double-spacing between entries
  • One page

To add that little extra, you can put your reference’s name in bold letters and their job title in italics.

These are the basics. But… let’s be honest, do you want a basic job application or a job application that stands out?

If you find the second option more exciting, opt for a professional resume builder and cover letter builder combo. Our great resume templates & cover letter templates will get the formatting exactly right, and all the documents in your job application will have a matching design.

To create your references list, just use the cover letter builder.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOWcreate your cover letter now

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Takeaways

Here’s what you should know about putting references on a resume:

  • Don’t put your professional references directly on your resume unless the job ad clearly says otherwise.
  • Create a separate document with resume references and only submit it if requested.
  • Aim for 3–5 references from people, such as managers, colleagues, or academic mentors.
  • Always ask your contacts for their permission to mention them on your resume.
  • Use a cover letter builder to ensure your references list matches your resume and cover letter.

Any questions on how to write a references page for your resume? Any tips or advice on how to make a reference list for a resume? Let’s chat about it in the comments below, and, as always, thanks for reading!

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Rate my article: references
Thank you for voting
Average: 5 (7 votes)
Olga Ber
Olga Ber
Olga is a career expert with a background in teaching. At ResumeLab, she writes actionable guides to help job-seekers highlight their unique strengths and unlock their career potential.

Was it interesting? Here are similar articles

Resume Keywords: How to Use Them + List by Industry

Resume Keywords: How to Use Them + List by Industry

Most employers use applicant tracking systems to sift through resumes. Learn how to optimize your resume with the right resume keywords to increase your chances of getting hired.

Christian Eilers, CPRW
Christian Eilers, CPRW
Career Expert
Free Word Cover Letter Templates to Download Now

Free Word Cover Letter Templates to Download Now

Unlock your dream job with free, editable Word cover letter templates! Discover a collection of expertly designed templates with pro tips. Download now for a winning application!

Mariusz Wawrzyniak
Mariusz Wawrzyniak
Career Expert