Should You Include References on Your CV? (Examples & Tips)
If you've built great working relationships throughout your career, you might be keen to add references to your CV, so employers can get an insight into your impact in previous roles. But should you include references in your CV, or is the practice outdated?
While it's uncommon to include references in a modern CV, in some cases they can catch the employer's eye and provide validation of your credentials. In this article, we'll show you:
- When and why to include references (and when to leave them off).
- How to format your reference list to look professional.
- Real-world examples and templates you can use right now.
Before we go any further though, let's start by defining what a reference is, and clarifying whether your CV needs them.
What is a reference?
Your references are professionals who can vouch for your character, skills and work history to prospective employers.
The testimonial document or written declaration of your character and skills is called a ‘reference’ and the person supplying it is known as the 'referee'. A referee is someone you have worked with and who is happy to be contacted by recruiters to answer questions about your skills and performance in previous jobs.
When to include references in your CV
For most job applications in the UK, it’s not necessary to list references on your CV, as employers tend to request them in the later stages of the hiring process. This could be after reading your CV and cover letter, after you've attended an interview or just before they make you an offer.
However, there are a few situations where employers expect to see them, or it may be beneficial to include them:
If it’s your first job or you have little work experience. Recruiters will usually request references or recommendation letters in the early stages of the junior job application process. Including your references on your CV before recruiters request them accelerates the process and helps them to quickly assess your suitability for the job. |
If you have a reference from a respectable person such as a senior manager, a CEO, the director of HR or similar, this is likely to impress recruiters and increase your chances of landing an interview. |
If the job description explicitly requires you to include references, you should include them. If you don’t have enough space on your CV, you can add them on a separate page. |
If the reference from a previous job is particularly relevant to the job you’re applying for, it can be beneficial to add them to your CV. |
You can easily add your references to your CV by starting with one of Jobseeker's professional CV templates. To get a head start writing your full CV, search for your job title in our CV examples library, or take a look how they can be presented in your CV below.
How to list references on your CV
If you decide to include references in your CV, it's a good idea to understand exactly what information you need to add, where to list them and how to format this section of your CV. Take a look at the guide below for everything you need to know about adding references to a CV:
Where to list references on a CV
The ‘References’ section usually goes at the very end of a CV, after your work experience, education, skills, certificates and any optional sections like volunteering, hobbies and interests or languages. The exact layout and order of your CV sections will depend on the CV design you're using. However, to avoid any confusion, you can use a CV builder like Jobseeker, to ensure all the necessary information goes in the right place. Either way, though, references should always go at the end of your CV.
What information to provide in a reference entry
You'll want to aim to include two references in your CV, and add the following details for each, so employers know who the referee is, how to contact them and what their relationship is to you:
- Referee’s first and last name
- Job title
- Company name
- Referee’s work phone number (extension code, if applicable)
- Referee’s professional email address
- Relationship to you, e.g. manager
How to format references correctly
The format of your references section is just as important as the format of the rest of your CV. Research from Jobseeker shows that 98.8% of HR professionals value clean, consistent formatting on a CV, so adopt this approach for your CV's references section.
Add 'References' as your section heading, followed by the name of each referee in bold. Add each of the details for each referee on its own line, keeping line spacing between 1 and 1.15 for a neat, well-presented layout. To save space, you could consider presenting your references in a two-column layout.
Consent and legal considerations
Before adding a referee to your CV, it's important to request permission. It's considered a basic professional courtesy to ask the referee's consent, and brief them on who might contact them, and when, before you add them to your application.
On the recruiter side, it’s important to note that prospective employers are not allowed to check references without your permission. This also means they are not allowed to approach your LinkedIn connections to try to elicit information about you.
By listing references in your CV, you imply that you have provided consent. Therefore, you may not want to add your current employer as a reference if you haven’t notified them about your job search.
Don't forget your cover letter as an option:
If the space in your CV is limited, yet you have very strong references, you can always include them in your cover letter. For help designing an eye-catching cover letter, choose from Jobseeker's cover letter templates.
When not to include references in your CV
On the other hand, there are situations when it's best to leave references off your CV. Let's take a look at a few scenarios where you're better off omitting references until you're asked to provide them:
If you're still employed, and your employer doesn't know you've applied for a new role. Your most recent employer is likely to be your most relevant reference, so you'll want to wait until they know about your application before submitting them as a reference. |
When space on your CV is limited, you're better off focusing on your key skills and achievements, and leaving references until they're requested by the employer. |
When you've gained plenty of experience and you can present that in an engaging way on your CV without needing the support of a previous employer. |
If your references are unlikely to be positive because of a bad experience with a previous (or current) employer, it's best not to offer them up front, and wait until the employer requests them further down the line. By this time they'll have had more opportunity to make their own judgement on you and may not be so affected by a negative reference. |
If you're applying in the UK or India, as it's not standard practice to include references in your CV in either of these countries, unless they're specifically requested. |
Examples of CV references
Each reference you add to your CV should include all the information the recruiter or hiring manager will need. This means adding the referee's job title, company name and full contact details, as well as their relationship to you.
Present your references in a clear, simple layout, either in a single column or a two-column design, depending on how much space you have available in your CV.
Here's an example of a references section on a CV:
Jane Smith
Senior Marketing Manager
BrightWave Solutions
Phone: (555) 123-4567 ext. 204
Email: jane.smith@example.com
Relationship: Direct Manager
Michael Chen
Director of Operations
Northline Technologies
Phone: (555) 987-6543
Email: michael.chen@example.com
Relationship: Cross-functional Team Lead
This provides the recruiter with some very basic background information for them to get the conversation started with the referee.
Expert Tip
Since CV space is valuable, you don’t need to list more than two references, unless the job description specifically requests it.
Common mistakes to avoid with CV references
Avoid these common mistakes with CV references to ensure your CV meets the expectations of employers:
Listing references without permission | Adding references to your CV without asking permission looks unprofessional, and may catch the referee off-guard. Ask for explicit consent from the referee, even if they've said in the past that they're happy to provide you with one. |
Using personal email addresses | Listing personal email addresses for references looks unprofessional, and could be an invasion of the referee's privacy. It's better to keep things strictly professional, by listing their work email address. |
Including outdated contact information | If you're using a referee you've used in the past, always check their contact information is still valid. Outdated contact information can prevent employers from reaching your referees, which will reflect poorly on you. |
Forgetting to update reference details | If your referee's details have changed for any reason, including their job title, company or contact details, make sure you update it in your CV before sending. |
Using out-of-date references | You'll want your references to include your current or most recent employer, as well as one additional contact with experience of working with you. Keep your references updated as you progress through your career. |
Key takeaways for adding references to your CV
In many countries, adding references to your CV when applying for jobs is a thing of the past. However, there are some situations when it can be useful to include references in your CV. Remember the key advice from this article on adding references to your CV:
- In most cases for UK job applications, you don't need to add references to a CV. Recruiters and employers will probably ask for these at a later stage of the process.
- If you're a junior candidate, adding references to your CV can be a good way of giving employers the chance to confirm your credentials at an earlier stage of the recruitment process.
- When including references in your CV, add them at the end of the document in a simple layout, with their name, job title, company name, contact details and relationship to you.
- Always seek permission from references before including them in your CV, or providing them at any stage of the recruitment process.
For help creating an eye-catching CV that includes all the necessary information, including references if you choose to add them, use Jobseeker's CV builder. For even more expert advice on crafting the perfect application, make sure to check out Jobseeker's extensive library of resources. These include CV and cover letter examples for dozens of job titles.
CV references FAQs
How many references should I list on a CV?
Typically, adding two references to your CV is sufficient. These are usually your current or most recent employer, and another professional reference. However, always check the job listing for guidance, to see if the employer or recruiter requires further references.
How can I ask for permission to use someone as a reference?
Always ask for permission before including someone as a reference. That way, they can expect to be contacted by employers and can prepare accordingly. Asking also gives you the opportunity to check whether your contact’s details are up-to-date.
When contacting your references, it’s a good idea to frame the request in a way that allows them to decline:
“Would you mind if I put your name down as a reference? I enjoyed working with you and feel that you have a good overview of abilities”.
If your contact takes too long to reply or shows any hesitation, avoid pressuring them and move onto the next one. If your reference is not someone who speaks enthusiastically about your skills and expertise, it’s better to include no reference rather than a lukewarm one.
You can help your referees provide good references by sending them a checklist of the points you want them to mention such as:
- Name of the company and the length of time worked there
- Their relationship to you
- The team or department you both worked in
- Specific projects you worked on and the outcomes you achieved
- The skills you developed or brought to the table
- Specific accomplishments
If you need to approach an ex-colleague to provide a reference for you, you can use this template to ensure you make a professional approach:
Dear [Reference's Name],
I hope you're well. I'm currently applying for the position of [Role] at [Company] and would be very grateful if you would be willing to act as a professional reference for me.
Having worked together at [Organisation], I felt our time collaborating on [specific project, team, or responsibility] gave you a strong insight into my [relevant skills or qualities — e.g. clinical ability, leadership, client management, technical expertise], and I believe your perspective would be valuable to my current application.
If you are happy to support my application, the reference may take the form of a written testimonial or a direct call or email from the hiring team. I will keep you informed of timelines and provide you with a copy of my CV and the job description in advance, so you have everything you need.
To make sure I have your current details on file, could you confirm the following when you get a chance?
- Job title:
- Organisation:
- Business address:
- Work telephone number:
- Work email address:
Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to discuss further — I'd be happy to arrange a quick call at a time that suits you.
Thank you so much for your time and support.
Can I use academic references on my CV?
Academic references are suitable for adding to your CV if you're a junior candidate and you don't currently have much work experience. Similarly, if you're in your first job after graduating and you're moving to a second role, you could also include an academic reference. Just be aware that the longer you spend in a professional environment, the less relevant an academic reference will become.
Who is acceptable to list as a reference?
If you choose to include references in your CV, it is recommended that you provide two: one who is your current or previous employer and one who knows you well in a professional capacity. Some examples of individuals who would make good references include:
- Current or former managers
- Supervisors
- Tutors
- Teachers
- Mentors
- Colleagues
- Business partners
Ideally, you should list references who can provide specific feedback about your work rather than give a general recommendation.
Should I include my current employer as a reference?
It might not be a great idea to add your current employer as a reference on your CV, unless they know you're applying for the job and have given their blessing. However, in most job applications, it's uncommon for your current employer to know about your application at this early stage. If you've already received a job offer and you've notified your employer, this is a more suitable time to submit them as a reference.
What should I do if I don’t have any professional references?
If you don't have any professional references because you're applying for your first job, or you haven't built up enough professional experience, there are other contacts you can use as referees. If you've just graduated or left full-time education, it's suitable to use a teacher or another figure from your education as a reference. You could alternatively use someone you know from an organised activity, such as volunteering, or a society or club you're a member of. If you're not sure who to approach, it's fine to ask the employer what type of reference they will accept in lieu of a professional referee.
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