Job application guide
Should you put references on a resume?
For a standard resume, keep a separate reference sheet ready and share it when requested. Get permission before giving an employer anyone else's contact information.
Written by the Scoritly team · Published
The short answer
Keep references off a standard resume unless the application says otherwise
The U.S. Department of Labor's 2026 Resume Essentials guide says not to include references on the resume and recommends preparing a separate reference document. CareerOneStop similarly advises collecting references in advance because applications may request them.
Use the instruction hierarchy
Posting and application fields → employer request → general resume convention.
A specific posting can require references in the same file, and academic CVs may include references. Penn explains that CVs often contain more detailed academic credentials, including references. Read the document type and submission instructions before deciding.
The resume line
Remove references available upon request
An employer already knows it can request references. The phrase does not supply evidence and uses space that could show a qualification. Keep the private sheet ready instead of announcing its availability.
On the resume
No references section and no availability statement.
In your records
A current, permission-based reference sheet ready for the right request.
Choose references
Select people who have directly observed relevant work
CareerOneStop groups references into employment, professional, academic, and personal types. The most recognizable title is not necessarily the strongest choice. Select someone who can discuss what you did, how you worked, and the qualities relevant to the target.
Employment
Examples: Former supervisors, managers, colleagues, direct reports, clients, or people who observed relevant paid or unpaid work.
Best fit: Strong when the person can discuss specific responsibilities, performance, collaboration, and work outcomes.
Professional
Examples: Professional association contacts, project partners, community leaders, mentors, or collaborators.
Best fit: Useful when they have directly observed relevant professional behavior or contribution outside a formal employer relationship.
Academic
Examples: Instructors, faculty advisers, research supervisors, coaches, or vocational counselors.
Best fit: Often appropriate for current students, recent graduates, research roles, fellowships, and applications centered on academic work.
Personal
Examples: A non-family contact who can speak to dependability or character from direct experience.
Best fit: Use only when the employer requests this type or stronger employment, professional, or academic references are unavailable.
Do not list a family member or close friend as a professional reference. If an employer separately requests a personal reference, follow that request and choose someone who can answer it honestly.
Permission
Ask before every new use of a person's contact information
CareerOneStop and the Department of Labor both tell candidates to ask permission before listing a reference. Permission also gives the person a chance to confirm contact details, understand the target, decline, and prepare for an employer's questions.
- Ask before listing the person, even if they agreed to serve as a reference for an earlier application.
- Name the type of role, employer, and likely timing so the person can make an informed decision.
- Confirm which phone number and email address they want shared and whether either may be entered into an online system.
- Explain what the application asks for, including questionnaires, letters, phone calls, deadlines, or contact from a third-party screening provider.
- Give the person an easy opportunity to decline without pressure and select another reference if support is uncertain.
- Share the current resume and posting after removing any information the reference does not need.
- Tell the reference when you submit their details, then thank them and report a meaningful outcome.
Permission request template
I am applying for [role] at [organization]. Would you be comfortable serving as a reference for this application? They may contact you by [method] around [time]. I can send the posting and my current resume. It is completely fine to decline.
Replace every bracket with accurate details and adapt the message to your real relationship.
Reference sheet
Give the employer enough context to contact the right person
UGA recommends a separate page with matching resume contact information, reference names and titles, organizations, contact information, and an optional relationship description. Include only what the application requests and the person has authorized.
| Field | How to present it |
|---|---|
| Full name | Use the name the reference wants you to provide and verify spelling before every submission. |
| Current role and organization | Give the employer useful professional context. Confirm the title and organization are still current. |
| Relationship to you | Briefly state how the person knows your work, education, or relevant activity when the application requests or benefits from that context. |
| Preferred phone and email | Share only the contact method the reference has authorized for this purpose; do not guess or copy stale information. |
| Optional context | A concise role, project, course, or date range can help distinguish the relationship, but avoid writing a recommendation on the person's behalf. |
When to submit
Use the channel and timing the employer identifies
| Situation | Action | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| The application has dedicated reference fields | Enter the authorized information in those fields | Do not attach an extra sheet unless the instructions also request one. |
| The posting asks for a separate reference list | Upload or send a matching reference sheet | Follow the requested file type, number of references, content, and naming convention. |
| A recruiter asks after an interview | Confirm the recipient and send the prepared sheet | Notify each reference before or immediately after sharing their details. |
| The posting explicitly requires references in the resume file | Follow that specific instruction | Permission is still required, and the exception does not become a rule for other applications. |
| No one has asked for references | Keep the sheet private and ready | Do not add contact details or 'references available upon request' merely to fill resume space. |
Privacy
Treat a reference sheet as someone else's personal data
A reference agreed to help with a job search, not necessarily to have their information indexed, copied into a public template, or uploaded to an unrelated service. Keep the master list private and disclose the minimum authorized information through a legitimate application channel.
- Do not post a reference sheet on a public portfolio, repository, profile, or unrestricted file-sharing URL.
- Do not include a reference's home address, personal details, or additional contact channels unless the application requires them and the person consents.
- Use a legitimate employer application or a verified professional recipient; inspect unexpected reference requests before disclosing information.
- Send only the requested reference data rather than a personal master list containing notes or extra contacts.
- Remove reference details from shared resume templates, public samples, and AI prompts unless the person has agreed to that specific use.
- Keep your private reference record current, and delete stale copies from public or incorrectly shared locations.
First reference list
Academic and activity references can support an early-career application
CareerOneStop identifies instructors and vocational counselors as appropriate academic references for students and recent graduates. A supervisor from volunteering, an internship, a part-time job, a project, or another structured activity may also help when that person observed relevant work.
Use the no-experience resume guide to present the underlying evidence accurately. A reference supports the application; it does not replace clear experience, education, project, and skill sections.
Final review
Confirm permission, accuracy, and the submission instruction
- The resume itself contains no reference contact details unless the posting explicitly requires them there.
- The phrase 'references available upon request' has been removed unless an application specifically asks for it.
- Every person has agreed to the current use and can speak directly about relevant work, education, or professional conduct.
- Names, roles, organizations, relationships, phone numbers, and email addresses are accurate and authorized.
- The sheet follows the requested number, order, file type, and application channel.
- Formatting matches the resume, while the file remains a clearly separate document when requested separately.
- No private contact information appears in a public link, portfolio, repository, template, or untrusted message.
- Each reference has the current posting and resume context needed to respond accurately.
Keep the resume focused with the resume sections guide, and record each reference request or follow-up in the job application tracking guide so you can notify people and avoid repeated, unexpected requests.
Sources
These primary career-guidance sources were reviewed July 18, 2026.