References on a CV

You usually do not need to list referees

Including full names, job titles and contact details for referees takes up valuable space and is rarely needed at the application stage. Most employers only request references later in the process, once they are seriously considering hiring you.

Providing this detail too early can also mean a referee is contacted unnecessarily for applications that do not progress, which is worth avoiding out of courtesy to them.

This is one of the simplest ways to save space on a CV, since a full referee entry with contact details can take up several lines that are usually better spent on your work experience or skills.

'References available on request'

This short line at the bottom of a CV is a common and accepted way to signal that you have referees ready without listing their details. It is optional; leaving it off entirely and providing references only when asked is equally acceptable.

Neither choice is seen as stronger than the other by most employers; it largely comes down to personal preference and how much space is left on the page once everything else is included.

Who to ask

A recent employer or manager is usually the strongest referee. If you have limited work history, a teacher, tutor, coach or volunteer supervisor who knows you well can be a good alternative.

Try to choose someone who can speak specifically to your reliability, skills or character, rather than someone who knows you only in passing.

If you are moving on from a role on good terms, it is also worth asking your current manager directly whether they would be comfortable being a referee, rather than assuming.

• A current or recent manager or supervisor
• A teacher, tutor or college contact for school leavers and students
• A volunteer coordinator if you have limited paid work history
• Avoid using family members as referees

Ask before you list anyone

Always ask someone before listing them as a referee, and let them know roughly when they might be contacted. This avoids a referee being caught off guard and gives them time to prepare a helpful response.

It is also worth checking their current contact details are correct, since an out-of-date phone number or email can cause unnecessary delays later in the process.

A brief thank-you message once the process is finished, whatever the outcome, is a small courtesy that keeps the relationship strong for any future applications where you might need a reference again.

When employers ask for references directly

Some application forms or job adverts ask for referee details upfront, rather than leaving it until later. In that case, provide what is asked for clearly and accurately, following the same principle of choosing referees who know your work well.

If a form requires references but your CV does not, it is fine for the two documents to differ slightly in this respect, since each is serving a different purpose in the process.

If a form asks for references you have not yet arranged, contact your chosen referees promptly so you can complete the application accurately rather than guessing or leaving the section blank, since incomplete forms can delay your application.

What referees are typically asked

A reference check usually covers straightforward, factual points: your job title, dates of employment, and general conduct or reliability. It is not usually an in-depth interview, so there is no need to over-brief a referee beyond giving them a general heads-up.

If you are unsure what a previous employer might say, it is worth having an honest conversation with them in advance, rather than being caught by surprise later in the recruitment process.

Some employers use a standard written reference form rather than a phone call, which your referee simply fills in and returns, making the process quick and straightforward for everyone involved.

Updating your referees over time

As your career moves on, it is worth periodically reviewing who you list as a referee, since a manager from several jobs ago may no longer remember your work in enough detail to give a strong reference.

Keeping your referee list current, with people who can speak clearly and recently to your work, tends to be more useful than sticking with the same names purely out of habit.

If you lose touch with a previous manager, consider whether a more recent contact, even in a different role, might now be better placed to give a strong, up-to-date reference.