References on a resume: whether to include them, and how to list them
References on a resume are not expected in the US: leave them off, and skip "references available upon request" too. Instead, keep a separate reference sheet with three to five people who agreed to vouch for you, and send it when the employer asks. The sheet layout and an email to ask are below.
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Should you put references on your resume?
No, in almost every case. Employers check references near the end, once they are interested in you. Before that, the space is better used for what you did.
Two exceptions:
- The job posting asks for them. Then follow the posting, on the resume or in the application form, wherever it says.
- An academic CV. CVs usually end with a references section. That is a different document, see CV vs resume.
Leave out "references available upon request"
Employers already know you will give references when asked. The line takes space and says nothing. Delete it.
How many references, and who
Have three to five people ready. Three is a common request.
| Your situation | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| You have work experience | Current or former managers first, then a senior colleague or a client |
| You are a student | A professor, an internship or part-time job supervisor, a club or team adviser |
| It is your first job | A teacher, a coach, a volunteer coordinator, a neighbor you did paid chores for |
| You do not want your current boss to know | A former manager, or a colleague who has left the company |
Do not list family. Do not list anyone you have not asked.
How to list references: the reference sheet
A reference sheet is one page with your name at the top, so it matches your resume, and one block per person. Copy this and fill it in:
Filled in, one entry looks like this:
Put the person whose opinion matters most for this job first. Use the email and phone number they asked you to use, which may not be their work ones.
Ask first: an email you can send
Ask before you list anyone. It is polite, and a reference who is expecting the call answers it well.
When to send the sheet
- When the employer asks, often by email after an interview. Attach it as a PDF.
- To an in-person interview, bring a printed copy in case they ask.
- Each time you send it, tell your references: who may call, for which job, and roughly when.
Questions
Do you need references on a resume?
No. US employers ask for references later, usually after an interview, and expect them on a separate sheet. Put them on the resume only if the job posting asks you to.
How many references should you have?
Three is a common request. Have three to five ready, so you can pick the ones who fit each job best and still have enough if someone is away.
Can a friend or family member be a reference?
Not family. A friend only if you also worked or volunteered together and they can speak about that. Employers want someone who saw you work.
What if I have never had a job?
Ask a teacher, a coach, a club adviser, a volunteer coordinator, or a neighbor you babysat or mowed lawns for. Anyone who has seen you show up and do what you said counts.
Should I tell my references which job I applied for?
Yes. Send them the job posting and a line about what you would like them to mention. A reference who knows what the job needs gives a much better answer.
Sources
- How to list references on your resume, University of Cincinnati, Read October 2, 2026
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