Should I include references on my 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.

What should a reference list include?

What Information to Include on Your Reference Sheet

Name.
Current Job/Position.
Company.
Phone Number.
Email Address.
Reference Description: Write one sentence explaining how you know or have worked with this person, where, when, and for how long. (Check out the example below to see what this looks like in action.)

How do you format a list of references?

What to Include on a Reference List

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

Can a reference be a friend?

If your friend is currently or formerly your manager, direct report, or colleague, they may be able to provide you with a professional reference. On the other hand, if you’ve never worked together, your friend might be able to provide a personal reference.

Do employers actually call your references?

Essentially, yes. While it’s true that not 100% of Human Resources (HR) departments will call your references during pre-employment screening, many do. The references you provide to employers may be contacted about your employment history, qualifications, and the skills that qualify you for the job.

Can you have 2 references from the same job?

So yes, it’s perfectly fine if you choose to use references all from the same place. But if you chose to have some from your current job and others from previous employment, that’s fine too. So those who can speak about your work and/or character is what they’re looking for with regards to references.

Can I use a coworker as a reference?

A professional reference for an experienced worker is typically a former employer, a colleague, a client, a vendor, a supervisor, or someone else who can recommend you for employment. Recent college graduates might also tap professors, coaches, and college personnel who were advisers for your activities.

Who can I use as a reference for my first job?

Here’s who to include instead:

Your Favorite Professor. Depending on how big your graduating class was, you may have a few professors you can think to ask, or you may have just one.
The Family Member or Friend You’ve Done Work For.
An Older Student You Shared a Class With.
A Leader From Your Past.

Who can you put for references?

Consider these eight people when making your reference list:

Recent bosses.
Co-workers.
Professors.
Friends… but only if they’re a professional reference.
Group members.
Any place you’ve volunteered.
The person you babysat for or whose lawn you mowed every summer.
High school teacher or coach you still talk to regularly.

What do you say in a job reference?

Be positive “The highest praise you can give [in a reference check] is saying something like, ‘I would hire this person in a heartbeat. This is a person I want on my team. ‘” Sometimes reference checkers ask about a candidate’s weaknesses or press you to rank the candidate based on other employees.

What do you say in a reference for a friend?

How to write a reference letter for a friend

Accept if you can provide a quality reference.
Request details about the job opening.
Ask your friend about goals and objectives.
Discuss the background of your relationship.
Mention examples of skills and qualifications.
Focus on improvement and progress.

Can your employer give you a bad reference?

It is commonly assumed that a previous employer must give a reference and is legally prohibited from giving a bad one. This is not the case. Your employer can give you a bad or unfavourable reference, but only if they genuinely believe it to be true and accurate and have reasonable grounds for that belief.