Should you include “references available upon request” on your CV?

Many people have the same questions about including references on a CV. What exactly are references and referees? Should I include referees on my CV? Is "references available on request" enough? In this guide, we'll address all your common questions about CV references. You'll learn what a CV reference is, whether you should include them on your CV, and how to correctly add them if needed – complete with a template and examples, of course.

What are references?

Professional references are essentially testimonials about your skills and character. The reference can be as short as a couple of lines or more verbose with a few paragraphs. 

Employers ask for references to confirm that the details listed on your CV are an honest account of your abilities. They want to check that you can live up to expectations and that you're the right candidate for their position.

The reference section has traditionally been at the end of a CV, with the names and contact details of past employers or acquaintances willing to send in a reference. 

What is a referee?

A referee is the person who will provide your reference. They are usually former managers, but referees can be colleagues, mentors, or anyone else who can speak to your abilities and suitability for a particular role.

For those with a shorter or non-existent career history, you can choose influential figures from your life, like leaders, teachers, and coaches you've worked with during volunteering activities. Don't pick a family member, though, as this won't be seen as making a good impression.

If you've lost your job or been dismissed, selecting the right referees requires careful consideration, so think this through well in advance.

While there's no standardised reference request, common questions prospective employers and hiring managers might ask your referees include:

  • How do you know this person and what is the nature of your relationship?

  • What were the dates of their employment with you?

  • Would you rehire this person?

  • What can you tell me about their character, work ethic, job responsibilities, and abilities?

  • How frequent were their absences over the last 12 months?

  • Why did they leave their role?

  • Were there any issues of misconduct?

  • Are they a good fit for this position and our company?

When are job references required?

Compiling and sending off your CV when applying for a job is usually the first stage of the recruitment process. Once you've nailed an interview, references come into their own. They're usually required after a candidate has been invited for an interview and offered the job. This timing makes sense as the firm about to take you on board would want to check your credibility with a third party who knows you.

Should I include references on my CV?

Generally, you should not include references on your CV. That includes your referees' names, contact details, and the phrase “references available on request.” There are three main reasons for this:

They are redundant and unnecessary

Asking for references is standard practice in the recruitment process. You know you need them, and prospective employers know they'll ask for them. Mentioning or including references on your CV is therefore redundant.

They are more appropriate after the interview

Potential employers tend to ask for references at the interview or offer stage. It's more appropriate to take your references with you on a piece of paper to the interview or email them to your interviewers after the meeting rather than add them to your CV.

They are a waste of space

Including a list of references on your CV is usually a waste of space. According to best practice, you have just two pages on your CV to convince employers that you're a great fit for the job, so don't waste precious real estate on details that don't support this goal.

When is it appropriate to include references on my CV?

While it's best practice to avoid adding references to your CV, there are always exceptions to the rule, aren't there? Here are a few reasons when it's appropriate to add references to a CV and examples of how to do it:

The hiring manager or employer requests them

If a hiring manager, recruiter, or employer asks you to include references on your CV, you should do so. This is more likely to occur when applying for highly technical roles, like an IT technician or a medical position, and leadership positions, as those hiring need to know additional information about your work ethic. 

The job description requests you provide them

A job description may explicitly request your CV and references. If this is the case, you must. You have options on how to include them, though. 

One option is listing your references in a separate document rather than on your CV. That way, the prospective employer gets what they need, and you don't need to compromise any space on your CV.

Another option is to include them at the end of your CV or, depending on the format, on the left-hand side of the document. 

You've received a promotion or award

There's also an opportunity to include references within your CV if they're related to professional recognition. For example, if you received a promotion, you could include the details of your referee who awarded you this, or even a testimonial from them explaining why you received it.

If you've received any accolades for situations like co-authoring a publication or participating in a research project, you can include professional references to support this. This can be particularly impactful if you're in a niche industry or have worked with a high-profile individual.

You need to fill extra space on your CV

While the ideal length of a CV is two pages, there are times when the details don't quite fit and the document requires bulking up. If you have space on your CV, you must first and foremost use the space to elaborate on skills and accomplishmentsrelated to the vacancy. 

However, if you still have space, you can include your references. Just make sure it doesn't compromise more critical information.

How to include references on your CV in 5 steps

If you have decided that it's best to include references on your CV – and please, don't add them just because you think it's the age-old tradition, we promise it's not customary anymore – here's how to add them:

1. Get permission from the people you want to list as referees

You should always speak to the person you want to add as a reference beforehand. You need to check they're comfortable speaking on your behalf. You also need to ask for the best way prospective employers and recruiters can contact them, such as by phone or email, and obtain the referee's accurate job title and contact information.

2. Include their full name and job or professional title

When including CV references, add their full name. You can use their chosen first name if you like, e.g. Pete instead of Peter. Also, include their professional job title, but try to keep it concise yet accurate. For example, if their job title was “Product Marketing Manager, SaaS and Ecommerce,” you could simply say “Product Marketing Manager.”

3. Include their company name and location

Also include the company your referee works for and their primary location. Adding the company's full address is optional. If your referee is a freelancer, don't worry about the location. 

4. Include their email address and contact number

Including your reference's contact details is a must. Underneath their name, put their phone number first, followed by their email address below. If your reference has an extension code for the office, add that, too. 

While you might think including a phone number is outdated, it's typically the first port of call for a recruiter or prospective employer when contacting a referee.

5. Summarise your relationship with the referee

Briefly summarise your relationship with your referee so the prospective employer or recruiter has context. It only needs to be a few words.

CV references template

Use the following template as a guide for formatting a reference on your CV:

[Referee's first and last name]

[Job title]

[Company name and work location]

[Referee's work phone number], [extension code, if applicable]

[Referee's professional email address]

Relationship: [Short explanation of your relationship]

Examples of how to list references on a CV

Here are a few examples of how to write CV references:

Example 1: Graduate

Professor Jane Smith

Department of Business and Economics, XYZ University, London

01234 567 890 

janesmith@xyzuniversity.edu

Relationship: Business and Economics Lecturer and Academic Advisor

Example 2: Freelancer

John Doe, Freelance Graphic Designer

01234 567890

johndoe@example.com

Relationship: Collaborated on multiple design projects

Example 3: Marketing Manager

Ahmed Khan

Vice President of Marketing

ABC Company, Newcastle

01234 567890

ahmed.khan@abccompany.com

Relationship: Direct supervisor during tenure as Marketing Coordinator

CV references FAQs

There are plenty of other questions associated with including references on your CV. Here are the answers to the most common:

How do I ask for a reference?

You need to ask for permission before listing someone as a referee. It's courteous and ensures transparency, as they'll be sharing personal information about you.

How you ask the person depends on your relationship with them. If you're in regular contact, asking them face-to-face or on the phone is best. You can openly discuss your job hunt and express your thanks in advance.  A polite email or message is a good way to get the conversation going if you last spoke a while ago.

If the person agrees to be your referee, you must obtain their full name, job title, company, and preferred contact details.

What are my workers' rights regarding references?

Employers don't have to provide a reference. Many companies only confirm your job title and employment dates.

There are some exceptions. Employers must provide a reference if there was a written agreement to do so or if they are in a regulated industry, such as finance.

References must be fair and accurate. You have the right to challenge a reference if you think it's misleading.

Can an employer give a bad reference?

A “bad” reference doesn't exclusively mean a “negative” reference. It can also pertain to one that's inaccurate or misleading. If you lose a job offer due to a reference like this, you may be able to claim damages in court. 

In addition, if your employment contract requires your employer to provide references and they refuse to, or if you're dismissed for requesting one, you may have legal recourse.

However, if you were terminated from your last job or had misconduct issues, your referee can legally disclose this, providing the reference is unbiased, truthful, and supported by evidence.

If you need more advice on your workers' rights with references, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

How do I prepare my referees to talk to an HR manager?

As adding references to your CV is unnecessary, prepare a separate document with them to bring to your interview.

Include each referee's full name, job title, company, phone number, email address, and a brief note explaining your relationship.

Format this document in a similar style to your CVso it looks like part of the same package.

Save your references for later

Fill your CV with relevant content. When you ask yourself, “should I include 'references available upon request' in my CV?” remember not to put them on there. Maximise your space by using it for relevant and informative content showcasing your talents.

Every word counts on a CV. To ensure yours is optimised to impress, check out our free CV review today. Our TopCV experts can then make your words make an impact without wasting space. 

This article was originally written by Elizabeth Openshaw and has been updated by Laura Slingo.

Recommended reading:

Related Articles: