What should a reference list include?

What to Include on a Reference List

• Include the reference’s full contact information. List their full name, title, and company in addition to their street address, phone, and email.
• Include your contact information.
• Add a title to the page.
• Be consistent with your formatting.
• Check for accuracy.

Should you list your references directly on your resume?

Unless specifically requested, references do not belong on a resume. It is almost never a good idea to include them, and recruiters rarely request them early on. References on your resume are almost never useful because they will not be used. You can provide a list of references after your interview if it is requested.

How many references should you list?

Typical job seekers should have three to four references, while those seeking more senior positions should consider listing five to seven, experts suggest. And be sure to list your strongest reference first.

How do you format a list of professional references?

What to Include on a Reference List

1. Your name at the top of the page.
2. List your references, including their name, job title, company, and contact information, with a space in between each reference.
3. Include at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for.

Who should you list as a reference?

Consider these eight people when making your reference list.

1. Recent Bosses.
2. Coworkers.
3. Professors.
4. Friends… But Only if They’re a Professional Reference.
5. Group Members.
6. Any Place You’ve Volunteered.
7. The Person You Babysat for or Whose Lawn You Mowed Every Summer.
8. High School Teacher or Coach.

How many references should you include in your resume?

What questions do references get asked?

The standard questions you should expect potential employers to ask your references include:

• “Can you confirm the start and end dates of the candidate’s employment at your company?”
• “What was the candidate’s job title? Can you briefly explain some of their responsibilities in the role?”
• “How do you know the candidate?”

Do employers call all three references?

On average, employers check three references for each candidate. However, prospective employers should get your permission before contacting your supervisor so as not to jeopardize your current position. You can ask that your supervisor not be contacted until you’re further along in the hiring process.

How do you format a list of references?

Do employers actually call references?

Employers typically contact references toward the end of the hiring process. Employers could ask for references at any point in the hiring process. It’s usually helpful to prepare a list of references when you first start looking for jobs so you can offer it whenever the employer asks.

What if I have no professional references?

If you do not have any professional references, offer to provide twice as many personal references if you can. A personal reference can be from someone who knows you, but has never worked with you in a professional environment. For example, they could be a friend, a classmate, a teammate, a coach, a teacher, etc.