How to List References on a Resume
References do not go on your resume, and neither does "References available upon request." Put three to five people on a separate page with the same header as your resume, and send it when an employer asks, usually near the end of the hiring process.
- Separate page
- 3 to 5 people
- Send when asked
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The reference page, formatted
MARISOL ORTEGA
Sacramento, CA | (555) 284-1937 | marisol.ortega@email.com
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
Janet Hargrove, Warehouse Operations Manager
Delta Freight Partners | (555) 610-4482 | janet.hargrove@email.com
Relationship: My direct supervisor at Delta Freight Partners, 2018 – 2021
Derek Imai, Purchasing Manager
Sierra Packaging Co. | (555) 731-2058 | derek.imai@email.com
Relationship: My client at Sierra Packaging while I worked at Capitol Valley Logistics, 2022 – present
The name and contact lines are copied from the resume so the two pages match, and every entry ends with how that person knows your work.
Student or first job: a professor and a manager
References
Dr. Alisha Coleman, Professor of Biology
American River College | (555) 402-7716 | alisha.coleman@email.com
Relationship: My instructor for Microbiology and Human Anatomy, 2024 – 2025
Luis Ferreira, Store Manager
Fresh Basket Market | (555) 319-8840 | luis.ferreira@email.com
Relationship: Supervised my weekend cashier shifts, 2023 – present
With little work history, professors, coaches and campus supervisors are the usual choices. Family, friends and classmates are not.
Federal jobs: supervisor contact goes in the job entry
Work Experience
Logistics Coordinator, Capitol Valley Logistics
Sacramento, CA | Employer phone: (555) 610-4400
01/22 – Present | 40 hours per week
Supervisor: Robert Castillo, (555) 610-4415 | May we contact: Yes
• Schedule 140 outbound loads a week across 3 regional carriers
Federal postings on USAJOBS can require each job to show the employer's phone, MM/YY dates, hours per week and whether they may contact your current supervisor. Follow the posting.
What goes on a reference page
- Use the same name and contact header, font and layout as your resume, then a heading such as Professional References.
- List three to five people who have seen your work: supervisors, colleagues, clients, professors or advisors.
- For each person: full name, job title, employer or school, phone, email, and one line on how they know you.
- Ask each person before you list them, and confirm their current phone number and email.
- Send the page when an employer asks. If a posting asks for references with the application, attach it as its own file.
Common mistakes with references
Ending the resume with "References available upon request"
Delete the line. Employers know they can ask, so it tells them nothing. Use the space for one more result under your latest job.
Putting names and phone numbers on the resume itself
Your resume gets uploaded to job boards and passed around. Keep references on a separate page that you send only to an employer who has asked for it.
Listing someone without telling them
Ask first, then send them the job posting and your resume so they know which role the call is about and what to speak to.
Leaving out how you know each person
Add a relationship line with the setting and the years, such as "My direct supervisor at Delta Freight Partners, 2018 – 2021".
Frequently asked questions
Who can I put as a reference?+
Anyone who has seen your work and can speak to it: a current or former supervisor, a coworker, a client, a professor or academic advisor, or a coach. Do not use family members, friends or classmates.
What if the job posting asks for references on the resume?+
Follow the posting. If it says to include references in the resume, add a References section at the end in the same format shown above. If it only asks for references with the application, attach your reference page as a separate file.
Is "references available upon request" still used?+
No. University career centers, including UC Davis and the University of Cincinnati, advise leaving it off. Purdue OWL allows it if you can send the list right away. Employers assume you will provide references when asked.
How many references should I have?+
Three to five. Too few can suggest a thin network, and too many is more than an employer will use. Keep a couple of extra names in reserve so you can pick the people closest to each job.
When do employers ask for references?+
Usually in the final stages, after interviews and before an offer. Some ask at application time; in that case the posting will say so.
Sources
- University of Cincinnati: References on a resume, everything you need to know · read 2026-11-14
- UC Davis Career Center: Resume, CV and Cover Letter Guide (Reference List) · read 2026-11-14
- Purdue OWL: Reference Sheets · read 2026-11-14
- USAJOBS: Auditor, Homeland Security Investigations (resume requirements) · read 2026-11-14
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