References on a Resume: Prepare a Separate List That Helps Your Referees
Prepare a separate resume reference list, ask referees for permission and give them the context needed to support your job application.
TL;DR
- Prepare references separately and follow the employer's instructions about when and how to provide them.
- Ask each person for permission before sharing their contact details.
- Choose people who can describe relevant work, study or volunteering from direct experience.
- Keep the list current and give references enough context to respond accurately.
Choose people who know your work
A reference is useful because they can describe how you worked, learned or contributed. A famous title is less helpful if the person barely knows you. Think about managers, colleagues, project supervisors, clients, tutors or volunteer coordinators who have seen relevant parts of your experience.
CareerOneStop's reference guidance recommends asking permission and confirming preferred contact details before sharing them. It also suggests giving references context about the role and your job search.
Follow the employer's requirements if they specify a particular relationship, number of references or submission process. Do not assume that one standard list will meet every application.
Keep the reference sheet distinct from the resume
A separate reference sheet makes it easier to share details only when they are requested. It also preserves resume space for evidence relevant to the role. If an application explicitly asks for references in a form or document, follow that instruction.
Use the same basic name and contact heading as your resume so the documents are easy to associate. Keep the layout simple. Each entry should clearly identify the reference, their role or organisation where relevant, your relationship and the contact method they authorised.
Do not publish the sheet on a public profile or portfolio without permission. A reference agreeing to speak with a prospective employer is not the same as agreeing to have their phone number indexed on the web.
An original reference-list example
The following is a fictional structure. Replace it with accurate details and omit fields the employer does not need.
Jordan Lee — Professional References
Morgan Patel Operations Manager, Example Organisation Relationship: Supervised my work as an operations assistant, 2023–2025 Preferred contact: morgan.patel@example.com
Casey Chen Volunteer Programme Coordinator, Example Community Centre Relationship: Coordinated the weekend workshop project where I volunteered Preferred contact: casey.chen@example.com
If a phone number is requested, confirm the current number and permission to share it. Avoid adding private addresses or unrelated personal details. A clear relationship description helps the employer understand what the person can speak about.
Ask before listing someone
Here is a concise original message you can adapt:
“Hello Morgan, I am applying for operations coordinator roles and wondered whether you would be comfortable serving as a reference. Your perspective on the scheduling work we did together would be relevant. If you agree, could you let me know which contact details you would prefer me to share? I can send the role description and my current resume.”
Give the person an easy way to decline. Someone may be unavailable, restricted by an organisation's policy or unable to provide the type of reference requested. It is better to learn that before the employer contacts them.
Prepare the reference without scripting their answer
Share the job description, current resume and a brief reminder of the work you did together. You can identify relevant projects, but do not tell the reference to claim results they did not observe.
| Information to share | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Role description | Shows which responsibilities matter |
| Current resume | Provides context for your application |
| Relevant shared project | Helps recall specific work |
| Expected contact method | Makes the request easier to recognise |
| Approximate timing | Helps the person plan their response |
Let them know when the employer is likely to reach out. If the process changes, update them rather than leaving them to guess whether an unfamiliar message is legitimate.
Handle limited experience thoughtfully
If you are early in your career, an academic supervisor or volunteer coordinator may have more direct evidence than a former employer. Explain the relationship accurately. Do not label a personal acquaintance as a manager to make the list look stronger.
Our resume with no work experience guide helps identify project and volunteer evidence. Keep that same honesty in your reference choices.
After someone provides a reference, thank them and update them on the outcome when appropriate. Resume Wizard can help organise your application materials, while the reference relationship itself depends on permission, accurate context and professional communication.