How to list references on your resumé (with best examples + tips)

At some point in your job search, you will be asked for references, or a list of people who can vouch for your performance and character. It may feel intimidating that someone is looking into your work history and interviewing people about you, but don’t worry! This means that the employer is interested in hiring you.

• Should you put references on a resumé?
• Who to ask for a reference
• Tips for getting strong references
• What to include on a reference list
• Tips for making your reference list stand out
• Where to place your reference list on your resumé
• How to write a reference on a resumé
• Common mistakes to avoid when listing references
• Examples of references for your resumé
• What to do if you don’t have any references
• Tips for communicating with your references
• Summary
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Even if you are highly qualified, employers may want to get a sense of your personality and work ethic by asking for a reference for a job application. Who better to ask than your former superiors or clients?

References are professionals who can vouch for your skills and performance. These are people who believe in you and will champion you in your job search.

Through them, potential employers can learn more about you and your qualifications, boosting your chances of getting hired.

Why are references important in a job search? Why do you need references on a resumé when you are qualified? It takes more than skills to get the job done. Potential employers also want to know if you will fit the company culture.

According to the "2022-2023 Outlook: Hiring, Compensation & Benefits” report by Jobstreet, style and personality fit with the company culture are ranked third among the top reasons employers offer candidates the job. Employers could give the most talented candidate a pass if they think the candidate will not suit the organisation’s culture.

Should you put references on a resumé?

Do you need references on a resumé? Some people think having references on your resumé is outdated, since employers can do background checks by looking at your social media pages or visiting the company website. Employers usually check references further into the hiring process, when you have already been shortlisted. Despite these, there are advantages.

Pros of including references on a resumé

• It can help an employer decide when the choice is between you and another candidate.
• It adds credibility when the referee is well-known in the industry.
• It compensates for lack of experience when the job seeker is a fresh graduate.
• It boosts your motivation. Knowing that people can vouch for your skills and character can increase your confidence. This motivates you to do your best so that you don’t break their trust. You want them to be proud of you when you perform well.
• It assures employers. Positive testimonies from referees assure employers that they are making the right choice by hiring you.
• It strengthens your professional network. Identifying references lets you re-establish connections with former superiors and clients.

Including references on your resumé is especially beneficial when:

• You have strong references. References from an industry leader with whom you are on excellent terms can be very persuasive.
• You are applying for a consulting job. For some industries, such as consulting, including references on your resumé is required.
• Your work experience is limited. According to the "2022-2023 Outlook: Hiring, Compensation & Benefits" report by Jobstreet, 29% of the 438 companies surveyed hired fresh graduates in the past year. When your experience is lacking, employers will decide based on your potential. References who can attest that you are a fast learner and likely to succeed will boost your chances of getting hired.

When other candidates are just as qualified, hiring decisions can boil down to who is vouching for you and what they have to say. Here’s how your references can make you stand out among other candidates:

• It’s about who you know. People in your network may have connections with the company you are applying for – for example, friends, previous clients, or former colleagues. When the referee is well-connected, the hiring manager may be more open to their recommendation.
• You’re sharing true stories. Nothing is more persuasive than hearing specific and concrete examples of your stellar performance. Be sure to select referees who have seen you in action and know your accomplishments.
• They’re certifications of good character. Are you a good employee and a great team player? Are you punctual and responsible? Let people vouch for your good character to potential employers. It may just get you hired. As the late chef and television host Anthony Bourdain once said, “Skills can be taught. But character, either you have, or you don’t have.”

Cons of including references on a resumé

While there are advantages to including references on your resumé, there are also disadvantages.

It takes up space. Hiring managers do not have time to read a long resumé. Think carefully about who to include and who to leave out.

• It tends to be overlooked. Most employers will only check references when you’ve passed the interview and are in the final phases of vetting. In the initial stages, the employer will only scan your resumé. They probably won’t pay much attention to your reference list.
• Employers have high expectations. When the employer hears many positive things about you, they may expect much. If your performance does not meet these expectations, your relationship with your employer could erode.
• You develop overconfidence. You may be too confident about your references that you think you are a shoo-in for the job. Connections can only get you so far. In crafting an impressive job application, you must write a great resumé and prepare yourself for the interview and the role. Overconfidence may lead to disappointment when you don’t get the job.

They’re supposed to help you land the job. Under certain circumstances, however, including references can be damaging to your job search. Here are instances when you shouldnotinclude a reference in a resumé:

• When your reference is dated: How long ago was it when you worked with the person you are giving as a reference? If it has been several years, the employer may wonder why you don’t have recent references. Is it because your performance level has gone down? If you don’t have current references, you may as well leave them out.
• When your reference is weak: How well does your referee know the projects you worked on? When the referee only has a vague idea of your work, this will be obvious to the hiring manager. They would then be left wondering why the only references you can give are weak. Is there no one who can vouch for your more recent work?
• When it’s a bad reference: There is always a risk that your contact will give you a negative review. Perhaps you’ve overestimated your relationship or your success in the job. Either way, a bad reference can be the worst thing to happen during your job search.

When you choose to leave out references, here’s what you can do instead.

• Provide references upon request. Offer to provide references when needed. Separately providing references could be more convenient for the hiring manager. The list won’t get buried in the resumé’s text.
• Place the offer to provide references upon request in your cover letter. For example, “I would love to meet with you to discuss the position further. Please find my resumé enclosed. References are available upon your request.”
• Create a separate reference list. Another option is to provide a separate sheet for your list of references. Keep the style and font of your resumé consistent with this new sheet, but ensure that the reference list can also stand alone.
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  ⁠You can do this by writing your name and contact number at the top of the sheet. This way, the reference list can be seen separately or with your resumé, depending on the circumstances.Prepare the list in advance to be attached to your resumé when requested.

Who to ask for a reference

An important decision to make is who to put in your reference list. Read on to learn how to choose your champions.

• Choose the right references. The key to choosing suitable references is relevance. Determine what information the employer would deem relevant for the job, and tailor your reference list accordingly. For example, a project management job requires experience, but it also requires soft skills such as time management and communication.
• Consider timing for requesting references: Asking someone to vouch for you means asking them to commit their time and energy. Respect the schedules of your references by telling them about your job search in advance. This way, they can prepare themselves.

Kinds of references

• Professional – These are the people you’ve worked with. They know your work and how you are as a subordinate, colleague, or partner. Consider asking your former boss, client, or colleague. Professional references are strongest because they can give insight into your hard and soft skills.
• Academic – If you were successful in university or graduate school, you should get your former professors as your job references. Those who knew you as a student can tell employers about your leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills and your willingness to learn. Consider your theatre director, sports coach, or student publication editor-in-chief as possible referees.
• Personal – Personal references are people who know you outside of work and can describe your personality and advocacies to potential employers. They can attest to your character more than your work performance. Hiring managers like to hire well-rounded people, so include friends, religious connections, or members of your advocacy organisations as references.

Tips for getting strong references

• Build strong relationships with potential references. Before they are job references, you know them as managers, clients, or professors. The more you engage with them, the more you learn from them. You are also able to create deeper connections.
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  ⁠You can build relationships by being thoughtful. Initiate casual conversations, invite them out for coffee, or remember to greet them on special occasions such as Christmas or birthdays. Aim to build long-term relationships. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
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  ⁠When you deepen professional relationships, you strengthen your network and widen your career opportunities.
• Share your job search goals with potential references. Your references can connect you with people in their network looking for your particular skill set. Be open to discussing your job search goals with them.
• Provide potential references with relevant information. Once your contacts have agreed to be your references, give them a copy of your resumé so they can be more familiar with your work history and achievements. Brief them about the job you are applying for and what work history and skills you want them to emphasise.

What to include on a reference list

• How many referees on a resumé – The employer usually specifies the number of references you need to submit. Hirers usually ask for two or three references. Don’t make the mistake of giving more than they ask for.
• The format of a reference list – The format of a reference list is straightforward. When it comes to how to write a reference in a resumé, consistency in the details is important. Use marked headings and easy-to-read fonts. While Times New Roman was the traditional font choice, a sans-serif font like Calibri or Helvetica is preferable these days. Use colours sparingly because they may make your resumé look messy.
• Information to include for each reference – Provide the following information in this order:

The reference’s complete name
⁠Designation
⁠Company or organisation
⁠Company or organisation address
⁠Contact details (email, phone number)
⁠Your relationship (for example, “Ms Lee was the Operations Manager when I was an Operations Analyst”)

Tips for making your reference list stand out

The hiring manager may receive several reference lists in one day. Here’s how to make your list stand out.

• Make it look professional. Proofread your work thoroughly. Avoid misspellings and mistakes in the contact numbers and ensure that the details are current.
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• Customise the list for the job. Have more than one reference list. Different jobs may need you to highlight other skills. For example, applying for a sales position requires people who can vouch for your people skills, while a job in IT needs references who can attest to your technical skills.
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• Choose references who will be your champions. An impressive reference list features people who won’t hesitate to give you glowing recommendations. To be sure, ask before including their names on your reference list.

Where to place your reference list on your resumé

The list of references can appear as a section on the resumé, alongside areas on your work experience, skills, and educational background. It fits right in as long as the reference list follows the same format as the rest of the resume.

You can also check out these resume templates for options for including references in your resume.

Here are some tips for making your reference list easy to find:

If you’re sending your reference list to the hiring manager through email, follow these guidelines:

1. Save the document in a portable document format (PDF) file. PDF files are independent of software, hardware, and operating systems. Thus, it can preserve the layout of a document. How to do it:
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   ⁠a.) ⁠On Microsoft Word: Select FILE > Save As > PDF
   b.) ⁠On Google Docs: Select FILE > Download > As PDF
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2. Use your name as the filename. A file labelled teresawongreferences.pdf would be easy to identify. Hiring managers receive several resumes and application documents in a day. Make sure your reference list is easy to find by labelling it clearly.

How to write a reference on a resumé

• Stick to a uniform format when writing the details of your references. Standardise the alignment, font, and font size. The structure should also be consistent. For example, if the first reference displays a number and street in the address, the succeeding references should too.
• Find out if your reference prefers post-nominal letters such as PhD, CPA, MD, etc. These should be reflected in your list each time you add a reference to your resumé.
• To make your references’ information stand out, use plain backgrounds. The text should contrast nicely with the background, so be wary of using colours and complicated font styles.
• The reference list should follow the style and formatting of your resumé so that they are cohesive.

Common mistakes to avoid when listing references

• Using the wrong format: If you use a format different from what hiring managers are used to, they might not recognise it as a reference list. Stick to the convention. Be straightforward in listing your references so that there will be no confusion. For example, use the heading “References” instead of “My Heroes”.
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• Not getting permission from your references: If you want a positive recommendation from a reference, always ask for permission before putting their names on the reference list. They should first agree to the task. Letting them know beforehand also allows them to prepare so they will know what to say when the employer calls.
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• Consider what the hiring manager would think when she finds out you neglected to inform your contacts about adding them as references. You risk being seen as irresponsible and unprofessional.
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• Not providing enough information about your references: Did you give complete and correct information about your references? Examples of mistakes you can make here are posting outdated designations or contact details or misspelling your references’ names. The employer will find it difficult to contact the people on your list when you give incorrect information. You could miss out on a good reference.

Examples of references for your resumé

Before writing your references for a job application, bear the following pointers in mind:

• Choose the right font and spacing. Choose simple and clean fonts over complicated or fancy fonts. Example fonts that look good on resumés are: Calibri, Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana, Garamond, Book Antiqua, and Trebuchet MS. Use font sizes 9.5–12 to make reading comfortable. Remember to mind the spacing so the resumé does not feel cramped.
• Create a professional layout. Go for a simple but elegant style. Balance white space and text so your resumé doesn’t look too tightly packed.

Examples of well-formatted reference lists

Jennifer Chan
⁠Front-end Software Engineer
⁠Prime Factor Company
⁠4 Sungei Kadut Street 3 729139
⁠[email protected]
⁠011 65 6474 0551
⁠Ms Chan was my supervisor from 2020 to 2022 when I worked as a Software Developer.

Albert Choi, Ph.D.
⁠Director, Graduate School Program
⁠National University of Singapore
⁠21 Lower Kent Ridge Road 119077
⁠[email protected]
⁠011 65 6516 6666
⁠Dr Chan was my professor for two terms and my thesis adviser.

Sarah Goh
⁠Personnel Administrator
⁠Cloud Line Technologies
⁠1013 Eunos Avenue 5 01-02 409739
⁠[email protected]
⁠011 65 6742 7141
⁠Ms Goh and I are volunteers at the National Pet Advocacy and Welfare Society.

Examples of how not to list references

Inconsistencies, incomplete information, and typographical errors make reference lists seem unprofessional.

Example 1:

Steven Cho
⁠BLK 157 MEI LING STREET, #01-70 140157
⁠[email protected]
⁠Friend

This list lacks the reference’s designation, company or organisation, professional email, contact number, and a more substantial description of the reference’s relationship to the applicant. It has a typographical error. It also uses all caps in the address, creating inconsistencies in the format.

Here’s an improved version.

Steven Cho
⁠Sales Director
⁠The Flag Hotel
⁠729 Woodlands Circle #01-47 730729
⁠[email protected]
⁠011 65 63694310
⁠Steven is my friend and former colleague at The Flag Hotel, where I was the Public Relations Manager.

Example 2:

Christian Lim
⁠Reactiv Corp.
⁠Blk.16, Upper Boon Keng ,01-1117
⁠Phone number 65-6-2423135
⁠Zip code 489947
⁠Please call, don’t email.
⁠Christian is my former boss.

This example also has several things that could be corrected. There are errors in spacing in the address. The zip code is placed apart from the address. The contact number and zip codes are labelled, but the rest of the information isn’t, thus making the list inconsistent. It would also be better to spell out Corporation in the company name. The request to call rather than to send an email can also be written more formally.

Here is the improved version.

Christian Lim
⁠Reactiv Corporation
⁠Blk.16, Upper Boon Keng, 01-1117 489947
⁠011 65 6242 3135
⁠No email available
⁠Christian is my former boss.

Example 3:

Constance Lim
⁠Marketing Director
⁠Grown Marketing, Inc.
⁠122 Tembeling Rd Singapore 423621
⁠lim@grown

This list is missing a contact number. However, Ms Lim might have yet to give the applicant permission to share this, preferring to be contacted through email instead. There is a problem with the email, though. It is incomplete. The list is also missing the applicant’s relationship with Ms Lim.

Here is the improved version.

Constance Lim
⁠Marketing Director
⁠Grown Marketing, Inc.
⁠122 Tembeling Rd Singapore 423621
⁠[email protected]
⁠Ms Lim is my direct supervisor.

What to do if you don’t have any references

If you are a fresh graduate, it is understandable that you don’t have current or former bosses to list as your references. The same goes for self-employed individuals and people who have been unemployed for some time.

If you are a fresh graduate, you can tap academic counsellors, leaders of student organisations, and internship mentors. If you are self-employed, you can ask vendors and partners to vouch for your drive and diligence. And if you are looking to join the workforce after a break, you can list people you were in contact with during that period.

Not having formal employment doesn’t mean you were unproductive. Discuss how you were able to develop skills during your employment gap. For example, volunteering, babysitting, and house-sitting nurture skills such as leadership, teamwork, coordination, and project management.

If you lack professional references, you can put academic or personal references on your list, or read on to learn about other options.

Alternatives to traditional references

If you don’t have traditional references, you can present these instead. Even without references, you can still make your resumé stand out.

• A professional portfolio: Show what you can do by presenting a compilation of your best work. While references attest to your performance, an online portfolio is physical proof. Curate your portfolio well so that it exhibits your most significant projects. You can also create a portfolio of speculative work or work that has yet to be produced or published.
• Evaluations from previous jobs: If available, you can also share evaluations from previous employment. Consider formal performance evaluations or letters of commendation from satisfied clients. These are proof of the quality of your work.
• Recommendation letters: A written recommendation letter is a good option, especially when your former company does not allow references. A former colleague can write you a recommendation letter without mentioning the company.

Tips for communicating with your references

Throughout your job hunt, remember to update your references regularly.

• Keep your referees informed. Give your references a heads-up when they can expect a call from the potential employer. While you may send your resumé to multiple companies, you don’t have to alert your referees each time, however. Wait until you get shortlisted to tell your referees they may expect a call. You can also use this opportunity to tell them more about the position you are vying for.
• Thank your referees. Do so at each stage of the process. Thank them when they first agree to be on your reference list. Thank them again whenever you update them on developments. And when you do land the job, send them a handwritten note or an email to formally thank them for their recommendation.
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  ⁠Expressing your gratitude is courteous and professional. It shows that you value the relationship and wish to keep your connection strong.

Here’s how to format your thank-you letter:

• Greet your referee by name. Using their name makes the letter more personal.
• Express your gratitude.
• Tell them how significant their reference has been for you.
• End with a warm sign-off such as “Respectfully” or “Sincerely.”

When sending the thank you letter through email, use a clear subject line. For example, “Thank you for your reference.”

• Keep in touch with your referees. Valuable connections should be nurtured. Keep the lines of communication open by calling occasionally, sending interesting and relevant posts through social media, congratulating them when they get promoted, sending birthday or holiday greetings, or inviting them to meet up for coffee.
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  ⁠ Strengthen your relationship with your referees. Do so whether they be your current manager, former boss, colleagues, or people you are in daily contact with. It always pays to be gracious and thoughtful – and not just because you may need another reference for a job in the future!

Summary

Including references on your resumé benefits you and your potential employer. References can give the employer confidence in you and your capabilities and help them come to a decision. References can also supplement a lack of experience for fresh graduates or people who have been unemployed for some time.

To make the most of your references, remember to keep referees informed about your job search. Build and strengthen your network, because this can open many opportunities for you.

You can include a reference list on your resumé or prepare a separate sheet. Just remember to be consistent in format and style.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Are references necessary for every job application?
   ⁠Yes. References reveal relevant details about you which help employers’ hiring decisions. Even if references are not part of the initial list of requirements, prepare them anyway. Once you are shortlisted, the employer will most likely ask for them.
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2. How many references should you include on a resumé?
   ⁠The number of references required is up to the hiring manager. Some ask for as few as two, while some may require more. It is best to ask the employer when the requirements are not specified. Whatever you do, don’t submit more than what is necessary. Instead of being impressed, the hiring manager may think that you cannot follow instructions.
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3. Is it better to provide personal or professional references?
   ⁠If you must list three references, make two of them professional references. Although both professional and personal references have advantages, accounts of your experience and past performance usually carry more weight.
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4. What should you do if you don’t have any professional references?
   ⁠Don’t worry; you have other options. You can tap former professors or coaches if you don’t have work experience. You can also consider people in your organisations, such as your church or non-profit. You can also present a work portfolio or individual recommendation letters instead of a professional reference.
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5. Can you use the same references for multiple job applications?
   ⁠It is better to tailor your list to the job you are applying for. Suppose the company is looking for an experienced social media marketing professional proficient in web marketing and SEO. They want someone who is self-driven and solutions-focused. In that case, you need references who can vouch for your technical skills, marketing experience, initiative, and problem-solving skills. However, for a position in customer service, you should list references who can speak well about your people skills.