Should You Include References on a Resume?

Should You Include References on a Resume?

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Are you supposed to put references on a resume?

No, you are not supposed to put references on a resume When it comes to writing your resume, you only get so many pages to work with — don't waste that space by putting a resume references section or adding the phrase “References available upon request” at the end of your document.  Many employers usually won't ask for this information until 

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Are you supposed to put references on a resume?

you're further along in the interview process, and they know you'll provide references if they request them.

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Why not include references on a resume?

Including references on a resume is simply a waste of space You only get a small number of pages, usually 1–2 pages in the private sector, to share your career narrative and convince employers and hiring managers that you are qualified for the job they're filling.  Don't waste any of this precious resume space to list references 

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Why not include references on a resume?

— something an employer won't need to look at until you're much further along in the candidate selection process. Instead, focus on providing the details that will convince a recruiter or hiring manager to contact you for an interview.  Remember, your cover letter and resume are designed to get you the interview. The details you highlight on the resume 

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Why not include references on a resume?

during the job search should support this goal. While it varies from company to company, most employers won't ask for your references until they're ready to reach out to them. This typically doesn't happen until you've made it through the initial interview rounds and are among the final candidates for a job. If, for any reason, an employer wants 

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Why not include references on a resume?

your references earlier in the process, rest assured they'll give you a chance to provide them. There's no need to place references on your resume when they won't be used until you're one of the final candidates. That said, you should brainstorm a list of potential references as soon as you start submitting job applications so 

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Why not include references on a resume?

you're ready when a prospective employer has specifically requested your professional references.

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Where do you put references if not on a resume?

Rather than putting references on your resume, type them up on a separate document In a separate reference page, include the person's first name and last name, current title and company name, email address, and phone number.  Be sure to check with each of your professional references ahead of time to confirm that the person is willing to be 

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Where do you put references if not on a resume?

your reference and to verify which phone number and email address they'd like you to share with employers. It's also helpful to add a line that explains to the reader how you've come to know this reference. For example, it could be as simple as mentioning that you “worked together in Company XYZ's marketing department from July 2015

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Where do you put references if not on a resume?

to November 2017” or that another professional reference was your “direct supervisor at ABC Institute between 2018 and 2019.” You don't have to write a paragraph explaining your relationship to a reference, but it's nice to provide the employer or hiring manager with a little context. When you type up your best references, consider using

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Where do you put references if not on a resume?

the same header information and font style that was used for your resume so that the documents appear to be part of one overall package, even if they're not attached to one another.

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