Resume References: When and How to Include Them

Should You Put References on Your Resume?

The short answer: no, not on the resume itself. In 2026, the standard practice is to keep references on a separate page and provide them only when requested. Including "References available upon request" on your resume is also outdated and wastes valuable space.

However, understanding when and how to prepare your references is critical. A well-prepared reference list can be the final factor that seals a job offer.

When Employers Ask for References

Most employers request references after the interview stage, typically when you are a finalist for the position. Some scenarios where references may be needed earlier:

Federal and government jobs — Often required as part of the initial application

Academic positions — Letters of recommendation are typically submitted with your application

Senior executive roles — References may be checked before the final interview round

Small companies — Some hiring managers want references upfront to save time

Regulated industries — Healthcare, finance, and education often require references with applications

How to Format a References Page

Create a separate document that matches your resume's formatting (same font, header, and style). Include: For each reference:

Full name

Job title and company

Relationship to you (e.g., "Direct supervisor at XYZ Corp, 2022-2025")

Phone number

Email address

Example:

Jane Smith, Senior Director of Engineering, Acme Technologies. Direct supervisor, 2023-2025. Phone: (555) 123-4567. Email: jane.smith@acmetech.com.

Choosing the Right References

Best References (In Order of Impact)

Direct supervisors — Most valuable because they can speak to your day-to-day performance

Senior leaders who know your work — VPs or directors who observed your contributions

Cross-functional colleagues — People from other teams who collaborated with you

Clients or customers — Especially powerful for sales, consulting, and service roles

Mentors or advisors — Useful when you have limited work history

References to Avoid

Family members or personal friends (unless specifically asked for character references)

Colleagues who did not work closely with you

Anyone you have not spoken to in years without reconnecting first

People who might give a lukewarm recommendation

How to Ask Someone to Be Your Reference

Ask permission first — Never list someone without asking. A surprised reference gives a worse recommendation.

Give context — Tell them what role you are applying for and what skills you would like them to highlight.

Share your resume — Send them your current resume so they can reference specific accomplishments.

Provide the job description — Help them tailor their comments to what the employer is looking for.

Follow up and thank them — After they are contacted, send a thank-you note regardless of the outcome.

How Many References Do You Need?

Prepare 3-5 professional references. Most employers ask for three, but having extras ready ensures you are covered if someone is unavailable. Aim for a mix of supervisors and colleagues from different points in your career.

What About LinkedIn Recommendations?

LinkedIn recommendations serve a different purpose than formal references, but they complement each other well. Strong LinkedIn recommendations provide social proof that recruiters can see before they even contact your references. For tips on optimizing your LinkedIn profile, read our guide on LinkedIn vs. resume differences.

Protecting Your References

Do not share your references page until asked

Let your references know each time you share their information

Rotate references if you are applying to many positions to avoid burnout

Remove references who seem reluctant or unenthusiastic

Next Steps

Make sure the resume you send alongside your references is polished and ATS-optimized. Use our AI resume builder to create a professional resume, check your score with our free ATS checker, and browse resume examples for formatting inspiration.