Should You Include References on Your Resume?

The Short Answer: No, Never Include References on Your Resume

The unanimous consensus among career experts in 2025: references do not belong on your resume. Here's why:

It wastes precious space. Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds scanning your resume. Every line should demonstrate your value, achievements, and skills — not state the obvious.

It's assumed you have them. Employers know you'll provide references when asked. Writing "References available upon request" is like writing "I will show up to the interview if you invite me." It's redundant.

References are checked late in the process. 90% of employers won't contact your references until after they've interviewed you and decided you're a top candidate. Your resume's job is to get you the interview, not prove you have people who will vouch for you.

What About "References Available Upon Request"?

This phrase was common in the 1990s and early 2000s, but it's now universally considered outdated and unnecessary:

Career coaches say: It's wasteful filler that adds no value
- Recruiters say: It's assumed, so why state it?
  - ATS systems say: It doesn't contain keywords or relevant information
    
    Think of it this way: you wouldn't write "Will provide work samples if requested" or "Can answer interview questions if asked." References work the same way — everyone knows they're available when the time comes.

When and How to Provide References

During the application:

Only if the job posting explicitly requests references upfront
- Submit them as a separate document, never on your resume
  - Use a clean, professional format with contact details
    
    After the interview:
    - Wait until the employer requests them (usually when you're a finalist)
      - Send a formatted reference sheet via email within 24 hours
        Include 3-4 professional references with their consent
        
        What your reference sheet should include:
        Reference's full name and current job title
        Company/organization name
        Phone number and professional email
        Your relationship to them (e.g., "Former Manager at XYZ Corp")
        Brief note: "Available to discuss my performance on [project/role]"

How to Choose Strong References

Best references:

Direct managers who supervised your work and saw your growth
- Senior colleagues who worked closely with you on major projects
  - Clients or stakeholders who can speak to your impact (for consulting, sales, or client-facing roles)
    - Academic advisors or professors (for recent grads)
      
      References to avoid:
      - Family members or friends (even if you worked together)
        People who haven't seen your work in 5+ years
        Former employers where you left on bad terms
        Anyone you haven't spoken to recently or who doesn't know you're job searching
        
        Pro tip: Choose references who can speak to different strengths:
        One who can discuss your technical skills
        One who can highlight your leadership or teamwork
        One who can describe your problem-solving or creativity

Preparing Your References

Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference. Here's a script:

Email template:

Subject: Reference Request for [Company] Role

Hi [Name],

I hope you're doing well! I'm in the final stages of interviewing for a [Job Title] role at [Company], and they've requested professional references.

Would you be comfortable serving as a reference for me? The role focuses on [brief description], and I think you'd be able to speak to my experience with [specific skill or project you worked on together].

If you're able to help, I can send over the job description and some talking points. Please let me know either way — I completely understand if now isn't a good time.

Thanks so much!

[Your name]

Prepare them with:

The job description so they understand what skills to emphasize
- 3-5 bullet points highlighting your key achievements they witnessed
  - Timeline: when the employer might reach out
    - A thank-you note or coffee afterward (references deserve appreciation!)

What Use That Resume Space For Instead

Since you're not wasting space on references, use those valuable lines for:

Quantified achievements: "Increased sales by 34% in Q2 2024"
- Relevant certifications: "AWS Certified Solutions Architect (2024)"
  - Key projects: "Led migration of 50,000 users to new CRM system"
    - Technical skills: "Python, SQL, Tableau, Salesforce"
      - Awards or recognition: "Employee of the Quarter, Q3 2023"
        
        Every single line on your resume should sell your candidacy. References don't do that — your results do.