How To List References on a Resume (With Examples)
What Are Resume References?
Resume references are people who can speak to your work experience, skills, character, job performance or professional background.
Employers may contact your references during the hiring process to confirm information, learn more about your work style or understand how you performed in previous roles.
References are usually used later in the hiring process, often after an interview or before a final offer. They can help employers feel more confident about hiring you.
A strong reference can support your application by confirming that you are reliable, skilled, professional and a good fit for the role.
Should You List References on a Resume?
In most situations, you should not list references directly on your resume.
Your resume should focus on your experience, skills, education, achievements and qualifications. Adding references can take up valuable space that could be used to highlight your strengths.
Instead, create a separate reference list document. You can send this document when an employer asks for references.
However, there are a few cases where you may include references with your application:
The job posting specifically asks for references.
The application form requires reference details.
You are applying for an academic, research or professional role where references are expected early.
A recruiter asks you to submit references with your resume.
If the employer does not ask for references, wait until they request them.
Should You Write “References Available Upon Request”?
No, you usually do not need to write “References available upon request” on your resume.
This phrase was common in the past, but it is no longer necessary in most modern resumes. Employers already know they can ask for references if they need them.
Including this phrase can waste space on your resume. Instead, use that space for stronger details, such as achievements, skills, certifications or relevant experience.
A better approach is to prepare a separate reference list and keep it ready.
When Do Employers Ask for References?
Employers may ask for references at different stages of the hiring process.
They may request references:
During the initial application
After a phone screening
After an interview
Before a final interview
Before making a job offer
After making a conditional offer
The timing depends on the company, role and hiring process.
Some employers contact references only for final candidates. Others may ask earlier to speed up the process.
If an employer asks for references, respond promptly and provide a clean, professional list.
How Many References Should You Include?
A typical reference list includes three to five references.
Three references are often enough for entry-level roles, internships or early-career positions. More senior roles may require four or five references, especially if the employer wants perspectives from different stages of your career.
If the employer tells you how many references to provide, follow their instructions.
For example:
If the employer asks for two references, provide two.
If the employer asks for three professional references, provide three work-related contacts.
If the employer asks for academic references, choose professors, advisors or research supervisors.
Do not provide more references than requested unless there is a clear reason.
Who Should You Choose as a Reference?
Choose people who can speak positively and specifically about your work.
Good references may include:
Former managers
Direct supervisors
Team leads
Coworkers
Professors
Academic advisors
Internship supervisors
Professional mentors
Clients
Project partners
Volunteer coordinators
Board members or organization leaders
The best references are people who know your work well and can give specific examples of your skills, reliability and contributions.
A reference who can say, “She managed client projects, met deadlines and improved our reporting process,” is more useful than someone who can only say, “She was nice to work with.”
Who Should You Avoid Listing as a Reference?
Avoid listing people who cannot speak professionally about your work.
You should usually avoid using:
Family members
Close friends
People who barely know you
Coworkers who did not work directly with you
Managers who may give negative feedback
Someone who does not know you are job searching
Someone who has not agreed to be a reference
Someone with outdated knowledge of your work
A reference should strengthen your application. If you are unsure whether someone would give a positive and specific recommendation, choose someone else.
What Information Should You Include for Each Reference?
For each reference, include clear contact and relationship information.
A standard reference entry may include:
Full name
Job title
Company or organization
Phone number
Email address
Professional relationship
Brief description of how you worked together
You may also include the company address if requested, but it is not always necessary.
Make sure all contact details are current and accurate. If a phone number or email address is wrong, the employer may not be able to reach your reference.
Resume Reference List Format
A reference list should be easy to read and professionally formatted.
Use the same style as your resume. This means matching the font, spacing, header format and overall design.
At the top of the page, include your own contact information. Then list your references below.
A simple format looks like this:
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Your LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio, if relevant]
Professional References
[Reference Name]
[Reference Job Title]
[Reference Company]
[Reference Phone Number]
[Reference Email Address]
[Brief description of your relationship]
This format keeps the document clear and organized.
Reference List Template
Use this template when preparing a separate reference list.
[Your Full Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[City, State or Location]
[LinkedIn or Portfolio URL, optional]
Professional References
[Reference Full Name]
[Reference Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Relationship Description]
[Reference Full Name]
[Reference Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Relationship Description]
[Reference Full Name]
[Reference Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Relationship Description]
Example Reference List
Alex Morgan
555-123-4567
Chicago, IL
linkedin.com/in/alexmorgan
Professional References
Maria Chen
Marketing Director
BrightPath Media
555-222-1847
Maria was my direct manager when I worked as a Marketing Coordinator at BrightPath Media from 2021 to 2024.
Daniel Brooks
Senior Content Strategist
Northline Software
555-318-9021
Daniel worked with me on several cross-functional content projects and can speak to my writing, research and project coordination skills.
Priya Shah
Professor of Business Communication
Lakeside University
555-761-4402
Professor Shah advised my senior capstone project and can speak to my research, presentation and written communication skills.
Example Reference Entry for a Former Manager
Linda Carter
Regional Sales Manager
Summit Retail Group
555-478-2190
Linda was my direct supervisor while I worked as an Assistant Store Manager. She can speak to my leadership, customer service and team management experience.
Example Reference Entry for a Coworker
James Lee
Operations Specialist
BlueOak Logistics
555-672-1185
James worked with me on daily operations projects and can speak to my collaboration, problem-solving and process improvement skills.
Example Reference Entry for a Professor
Dr. Emily Rivera
Associate Professor of Economics
Westbridge University
555-883-4107
Dr. Rivera taught two of my economics courses and supervised my research project on market behavior.
Example Reference Entry for a Client
Rachel Adams
Founder
Adams Creative Studio
555-291-7734
Rachel was a freelance client for whom I created website copy, email campaigns and social media content.
Example Reference Entry for a Volunteer Supervisor
Thomas Grant
Volunteer Program Director
Community Food Network
555-309-5576
Thomas supervised my volunteer work and can speak to my reliability, communication skills and ability to work with diverse community members.
How To Ask Someone To Be a Reference
Before listing someone as a reference, ask for permission.
This is important for several reasons. It shows respect, gives the person time to prepare and helps you confirm that they are comfortable speaking positively about you.
You can ask by email, phone or in person.
A simple message might say:
Hi [Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am currently applying for [type of role] positions and wanted to ask if you would be comfortable serving as a professional reference for me. I enjoyed working with you at [company or project], and I believe you could speak to my [skills or experience].
I would be happy to send my resume and details about the roles I am applying for.
Thank you for considering it.
Best,
[Your Name]
If the person agrees, send them your updated resume, the job description and any key points you hope they can mention.
What To Send Your References Before They Are Contacted
Once someone agrees to be your reference, help them prepare.
Send useful context, such as:
Your updated resume
The job title
The company name
The job description
Skills the employer may ask about
Projects you worked on together
Your career goals
Expected timing
This helps your reference give a more specific and relevant recommendation.
For example, if you are applying for a project coordinator role, remind your reference of projects where you managed deadlines, communicated with stakeholders or organized team tasks.
The easier you make it for your reference, the stronger their recommendation may be.
How To Format References for Different Career Levels
Entry-Level Candidates
If you are a student, recent graduate or entry-level candidate, you may not have many former managers.
You can use:
Professors
Academic advisors
Internship supervisors
Volunteer supervisors
Part-time job managers
Club or organization leaders
Project mentors
Choose people who can speak to your responsibility, communication, learning ability and work ethic.
Mid-Career Professionals
If you have several years of experience, choose references who can speak to your professional performance.
Good options include:
Former managers
Team leads
Coworkers
Clients
Cross-functional partners
Mentors
Choose references who can describe your skills in relation to the job you want.
Senior-Level Candidates
Senior-level candidates may need references who can discuss leadership, strategy, decision-making and business impact.
Good options include:
Former executives
Direct reports
Board members
Clients
Senior colleagues
Business partners
Mentors
For leadership roles, it can be helpful to include references from different perspectives, such as someone you reported to, someone you led and someone you worked with as a peer.
Academic or Research Candidates
Academic candidates may need references who can discuss research, teaching, writing, analysis and academic potential.
Good options include:
Professors
Thesis advisors
Research supervisors
Department chairs
Lab directors
Academic mentors
For graduate school or research roles, academic references may be more important than business references.
Should You Include Personal References?
In most professional job applications, you should prioritize professional references.
Personal references may be useful if you have limited work experience or if the employer specifically allows them.
A personal reference might include a coach, community leader, volunteer supervisor or mentor who knows you well.
Avoid using friends or family members. Employers usually prefer references who can speak objectively about your work habits, responsibility and character.
If you use a personal reference, choose someone who has seen you in a structured setting, such as school, volunteering, community work or leadership activities.
Professional References vs. Personal References
A professional reference is someone who can speak about your work performance, job skills and professional behavior.
A personal reference is someone who can speak about your character, reliability or values.
Professional references are usually stronger for job applications because employers want to understand how you perform in work-related situations.
For example:
Professional reference: former manager, supervisor, coworker, client
Personal reference: mentor, coach, community leader, volunteer coordinator
If possible, use professional references first.
Should You Include Current Coworkers or Managers?
Be careful when listing current coworkers or managers as references.
If your current employer does not know you are job searching, listing someone from your current workplace can create problems.
Only use a current coworker or manager if:
They know you are applying for jobs.
You trust them to keep the information private.
They have agreed to be a reference.
The employer understands the situation.
If you do not want your current employer contacted, tell the recruiter clearly.
You can say:
“My current employer is not aware of my job search, so I would prefer that they not be contacted at this stage. I can provide references from previous roles.”
This is a common and reasonable request.
How To Send Your Reference List
When an employer asks for references, send your reference list as a separate document unless they ask for another format.
A PDF is usually a good choice because it preserves formatting.
Name the file clearly.
Example:
Alex_Morgan_References.pdf
Or:
Alex_Morgan_Professional_References.pdf
In your email, keep the message short.
Example:
Dear [Recruiter’s Name],
Thank you for your message. Attached is my professional reference list for the [Job Title] position. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
If the employer uses an application portal, follow the instructions in the portal.
Should Your Reference List Match Your Resume?
Yes. Your reference list should look consistent with your resume.
Use the same:
Font
Header style
Name format
Spacing
Contact information format
Color palette, if any
This makes your application materials look more polished and professional.
Your reference list does not need to be visually complex. Simple and clean formatting is usually best.
How To Choose the Best References for Each Job
Do not use the exact same references for every role if you have better options.
Choose references based on the job you want.
For example:
For a sales role, choose someone who can discuss your communication, persuasion and client relationship skills.
For a management role, choose someone who can discuss leadership and team development.
For a technical role, choose someone who can discuss problem-solving and technical ability.
For a teaching role, choose someone who can discuss instruction, patience and student engagement.
For a marketing role, choose someone who can discuss creativity, campaign execution and performance.
Matching references to the role can make your application stronger.
How To Organize Your References
If you have several possible references, keep a master reference list.
This list can include:
Name
Job title
Company
Phone number
Relationship
Dates you worked together
Skills they can discuss
Permission status
Last time contacted
Notes about the roles they are best suited for
A master list helps you quickly choose the best three to five references for each application.
Do not send your entire master list to employers. Use it as an internal document and create a shorter list when requested.
Tips for Strong Resume References
Choose people who know your work well.
Ask for permission before listing them.
Give references context about the job.
Use current contact information.
Match references to the role.
Keep your reference list separate from your resume unless asked.
Use professional formatting.
Avoid listing friends or family.
Thank your references after they help you.
Keep your references updated about the hiring process.
These steps make the reference process smoother and more professional.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
One common mistake is listing references without asking for permission. This can surprise your contact and lead to a weaker recommendation.
Another mistake is including references directly on your resume when the employer has not asked for them. This uses space that could highlight your qualifications.
A third mistake is choosing references who cannot give specific examples. A vague reference is less helpful than someone who can describe your work clearly.
Another mistake is providing outdated contact information. If the employer cannot reach your reference, it may delay the process.
Finally, some candidates forget to thank their references. A short thank-you message helps maintain the relationship.
What If You Do Not Have Professional References?
If you are early in your career or changing fields, you may not have many professional references yet.
You can ask:
Professors
Academic advisors
Internship supervisors
Volunteer leaders
Part-time job managers
Coaches
Project mentors
Community organization leaders
Clients from freelance work
Choose people who can speak to your reliability, communication, learning ability, teamwork and responsibility.
If you have no references at all, start building them now. Volunteer, complete projects, join professional groups, take classes or ask mentors for guidance.
What If a Reference Gives a Negative Review?
If you suspect someone may not give a positive reference, do not list them.
Choose references who are supportive and familiar with your strengths.
If you are worried about a former employer, provide other references who can speak more accurately about your work. You may also explain the situation briefly to the recruiter if necessary, but avoid sounding defensive.
The best strategy is prevention: ask references in advance and choose people who are genuinely willing to help.
How To Thank Your References
After someone agrees to be your reference, thank them.
If you get the job, update them and express appreciation. If you do not get the job, thank them anyway.
A simple thank-you message can say:
Hi [Name],
Thank you again for serving as a reference for me. I really appreciate your time and support during my job search. I will keep you updated on the outcome.
Best,
[Your Name]
Maintaining good relationships matters. You may need the same reference again in the future.
Reference List Example for an Entry-Level Candidate
Jordan Lee
555-771-9021
Denver, CO
Professional References
Dr. Karen Mitchell
Professor of Business Communication
Mountain State University
555-220-8714
Dr. Mitchell taught two of my communication courses and supervised my final presentation project.
Samuel Price
Internship Supervisor
GreenPoint Marketing
555-408-1220
Samuel supervised my summer marketing internship and can speak to my research, writing and campaign support experience.
Olivia Grant
Volunteer Coordinator
Denver Youth Center
555-681-3099
Olivia supervised my volunteer work and can speak to my responsibility, teamwork and communication skills.
Reference List Example for a Mid-Career Professional
Maya Thompson
555-403-8821
Austin, TX
Professional References
Kevin Ramirez
Senior Product Manager
Brightline Software
555-248-1179
Kevin managed several product launch projects where I supported go-to-market planning and customer communication.
Angela Brooks
Director of Customer Success
NorthStar Systems
555-617-4490
Angela was my direct manager and can speak to my client relationship management, team collaboration and problem-solving skills.
Ethan Collins
Marketing Operations Lead
Riverbend Analytics
555-902-1148
Ethan worked with me on reporting and automation projects and can discuss my analytical and project coordination skills.
Reference List Example for a Senior Candidate
Morgan Carter
555-910-3372
New York, NY
Professional References
Natalie Hughes
Chief Operating Officer
Sterling Partners
555-618-3301
Natalie was my executive manager and can speak to my leadership, strategic planning and cross-functional decision-making.
Robert Kim
Vice President of Sales
Eastgate Technologies
555-744-2198
Robert partnered with me on enterprise growth initiatives and can discuss my ability to align teams around business goals.
Sophia Bennett
Senior Director of Operations
HarborPoint Group
555-319-6408
Sophia reported to me for three years and can speak to my management style, coaching ability and team leadership.
How Dokie Can Help With Job Search Presentations
During a job search, you may need more than a resume and reference list. You might need to present a portfolio, project case study, interview assignment, career story or professional achievement summary. Dokie can help turn your work experience, project notes and interview materials into clean, polished presentation slides. Instead of spending hours formatting a deck manually, you can use Dokie to organize your ideas, highlight your strengths and create a professional presentation that supports your job application.
Conclusion
References can play an important role in the hiring process, but they should usually be prepared as a separate document rather than placed directly on your resume.
A strong reference list includes people who know your work, can speak positively about your skills and are willing to support your application. Always ask for permission before listing someone, provide them with helpful context and thank them for their time.
In most cases, three to five references are enough. Choose references based on the role, format the list professionally and send it when the employer requests it.
A thoughtful reference list can help confirm your qualifications and give employers more confidence in your ability to succeed.
FAQs
Should I put references on my resume?
In most cases, no. You should prepare a separate reference list and send it only when the employer asks for it.
How many references should I include?
Most candidates should prepare three to five references, unless the employer asks for a specific number.
Who should I use as a reference?
Good references include former managers, supervisors, coworkers, professors, mentors, clients or volunteer supervisors who can speak positively about your work.
Can I use a friend as a reference?
It is usually better to use professional references. A friend may not be viewed as objective unless they also worked with you in a professional or structured setting.
Can I use a family member as a reference?
No, family members are generally not recommended as job references because they are not considered neutral professional contacts.
Should I ask before listing someone as a reference?
Yes. Always ask for permission before listing someone as a reference.
What information should I include for each reference?
Include the reference’s full name, job title, company, phone number, email address and a short description of your relationship.
Should references be on a separate page?
Yes, unless the employer specifically asks you to include them in your resume or application form.
Should I include “references available upon request”?
No. This phrase is usually unnecessary because employers know they can ask for references if needed.
Can I use a current manager as a reference?
Only if your current manager knows you are job searching and has agreed to be a reference. Otherwise, use references from previous roles.
What if I do not have work references?
You can use professors, advisors, internship supervisors, volunteer coordinators, mentors or part-time job managers.
Should my reference list match my resume format?
Yes. Use the same font, header style and formatting so your application materials look consistent.
When do employers contact references?
Employers usually contact references later in the hiring process, often after interviews or before making an offer.
Should I send references before being asked?
Usually no. Send references only when requested, unless the job posting specifically asks for them with the application.
How do I thank my references?
Send a short thank-you message after they agree to help or after the hiring process ends. Let them know you appreciate their time and support.