Should I Put References on My Resume?

The Short Answer: No

Don't put references on your resume, and don't write "References available upon request" either. Both are outdated. References belong on a separate document that you provide when an employer specifically asks for them, which is usually late in the hiring process. Your resume's limited space should go to proving you can do the job, not listing people who will vouch for you.

This post explains why, what to do instead, and how to have your references ready the moment they're requested.

Why References Don't Belong on a Resume

Three reasons, each on its own enough to leave them off:

• They waste valuable space. Your resume has one or two pages to make your case, and every line should help you get the interview. References do nothing to prove your qualifications. The space is far better spent on achievements, skills, or relevant projects. If you're tight on room, see How Many Pages Should a Resume Be.
• Employers don't want them yet. References get checked near the end of hiring, after interviews, when you're a serious candidate. Listing them upfront is premature and signals you don't know how the process works.
• You should protect your references' time and privacy. Putting their names, phone numbers, and emails on a document you send to dozens of employers exposes their contact details widely and risks them being contacted before you've even spoken to the company. Provide them only when a specific employer is ready.

Why "References Available Upon Request" Is Also Out

This phrase used to be standard at the bottom of every resume. It's now just clutter. It states the obvious, because every candidate will of course provide references when asked, so the line adds no information. Worse, it takes up a line that could hold a real selling point. Recruiters read it as filler and a sign of a dated resume. Cut it.

What to Do Instead

1. Leave references off the resume entirely. No list, no "available upon request" line.
2. Use the reclaimed space for something that sells you: an extra achievement bullet, a stronger skills section, or a relevant project. The ATS-Friendly Resume Template shows where that space sits and how to use it.
3. Prepare a separate references document so you can send it the instant it's requested, without scrambling.

How to Build a Separate References Sheet

Keep it as a standalone document, formatted to match your resume's header so the two look like a set. For each reference, include:

• Full name
• Job title and company
• Relationship to you (for example, "Former manager at Acme Corp")
• Phone number and email

List three to five references. Choose people who know your work well and will speak about it specifically: former managers, supervisors, senior colleagues, professors, or clients. A reference who can describe a concrete project you delivered is worth far more than a big name who barely remembers you.

Always Ask First

Before you list anyone, contact them and get their permission. This is not optional. Ask if they're comfortable being a reference and if they can speak positively about your work. Asking first does three things: it avoids the awkward surprise of an unexpected call, it lets your reference prepare, and it gives them a chance to decline gracefully if they're not the right fit. Give them a heads-up each time you pass their details to an employer, ideally with a quick note on the role so they can tailor what they say.

The Bottom Line

References stay off the resume. Skip the list and skip "available upon request." Keep a polished references sheet ready as a separate document, line up three to five people who can speak specifically to your work, and ask their permission before you share their details. Then spend your resume's space on what actually wins interviews, which is covered in How to Write an Effective Resume.