CV References: Who to Choose and How to List Them

Do You Actually Need References on Your CV?

Short answer: probably not.

In the UK, across Europe, and in most private-sector roles worldwide, references are checked after an offer has been made or at the final interview stage. Putting them on your CV takes up valuable space that could be used for skills, achievements, or experience that actually gets you to the interview.

The convention has shifted. A decade ago, listing two referees at the bottom of a CV was standard. Today, most recruiters and hiring managers do not expect to see them, and many actively advise against it. A 2024 CIPD survey found that over 70% of UK employers only request references at the offer stage.

That said, there are clear exceptions where references on your CV are expected or even required. Knowing when to include them and when to leave them off is a small decision that signals you understand hiring norms.

When You Should Include References

Certain industries, roles, and countries still expect references on the CV itself. If any of the following apply, include them:

Academic and Research Positions

University lectureship applications, postdoctoral fellowships, and research grants almost always require two or three named referees. Academic hiring committees often contact references before shortlisting, not after.

Government and Public-Sector Roles

Civil service applications in the UK, EU institutions, and many Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) government bodies require named referees as part of the initial application. Some will not process your application without them.

Roles Where the Job Posting Asks for Them

If the job advert explicitly says "please include two references," include them. Ignoring a direct instruction is the fastest way to get filtered out.

Country-Specific Norms

In Germany, Arbeitszeugnisse (formal employer reference letters) are a standard part of applications. In parts of the Middle East, employers routinely contact references early in the process, particularly for senior roles. In the US and Canada, references are almost never included on a resume itself but are provided on a separate sheet when requested.

Who Makes a Good Reference

Not all references carry equal weight. The strongest referees share three qualities: they know your work directly, they hold a credible position, and they will speak about you with genuine enthusiasm.

Direct Line Managers

Your most recent direct manager is the gold standard. They can speak to your day-to-day performance, your reliability, and your growth. If you have had multiple managers, the one who supervised you longest or through your most significant project is the best choice.

Senior Colleagues or Department Heads

A senior colleague who has worked closely with you on a specific project or initiative can provide a strong reference, especially if they hold a more senior title than your direct manager. A department head who approved your promotion or signed off on your work is excellent.

Clients or External Stakeholders

For client-facing roles, a satisfied client who can vouch for your work is a powerful reference. This is particularly effective for consultants, account managers, freelancers, and anyone in professional services. A client reference shows that your impact extends beyond your own organisation.

Academic Supervisors

For recent graduates or those applying to academic roles, a dissertation supervisor, course leader, or research PI who can speak to your analytical ability, work ethic, and subject knowledge is ideal.

Professional Mentors

A mentor who holds a respected position in your industry and has observed your career growth can add credibility — particularly for senior-level applications.

Who to Avoid as a Reference

Choosing the wrong referee is worse than having no references at all. Avoid these:

• Family members. Even if your uncle is the CEO of a relevant company, a family connection instantly undermines credibility. No hiring manager will take a family reference seriously.
• Friends. A friend who happens to work in your industry is still a friend. Unless they were your direct manager, skip them.
• People who barely know you. A senior executive you met once at a conference, or a manager from a team you briefly collaborated with, will give a vague and unconvincing reference. That is worse than a strong reference from someone less senior.
• People you have not spoken to in years. If you have not been in contact since 2019, do not assume they remember your work in enough detail to advocate for you.
• Anyone who might give a lukewarm reference. If there is any doubt about whether someone will speak positively about you, choose someone else. A hesitant reference is damaging.

How to Ask Someone to Be Your Reference

Never list someone as a reference without asking first. It is unprofessional, and it catches people off guard when they receive an unexpected call.

Here is a practical approach:

Step 1: Reach Out Personally

A short email or LinkedIn message works well. Be specific about the role you are applying for and why you value their reference.

Example email:

Subject: Would you be willing to be a reference for me?

Hi Sarah,

I hope you are well. I am applying for a Senior Project Manager role
at [Company Name] and I am putting together my references.

You supervised my work on the infrastructure modernisation project
at [Previous Company], and I think you could speak well to my
project delivery and stakeholder management experience.

Would you be comfortable acting as a reference for this application?
I would be happy to send you the job description so you have context
on what they are looking for.

Thanks so much,
[Your Name]

Step 2: Make It Easy for Them

Once they agree, send them:

• The job description or a summary of the role
• A brief reminder of the key projects you worked on together
• The specific skills or achievements you would like them to highlight

This is not coaching them to lie. It is giving them context so their reference is relevant and specific rather than generic.

Step 3: Keep Them Updated

Let your referees know when they should expect a call or email. If you withdraw from the process or accept another offer, tell them so they are not waiting for a call that never comes.

How to Format the Reference Section

When references are required on your CV, present them cleanly. Include these details for each referee:

References

Sarah Thompson
Head of Projects, Meridian Consulting
Email: s.thompson@meridianconsulting.com
Phone: +44 7700 123456
Relationship: Direct line manager (2023-2025)

Dr James Okafor
Associate Professor, University of Manchester
Email: j.okafor@manchester.ac.uk
Phone: +44 161 275 1234
Relationship: Dissertation supervisor

Formatting Tips

• Two references is the standard minimum. Three is common for academic and senior roles.
• Include the relationship so the hiring manager understands the context immediately.
• Use a professional email address for each referee. A Gmail address is fine if they are a freelancer or retired, but a company or institutional email carries more weight.
• Place the section at the very end of your CV. It should never compete with your experience, skills, or education for space above the fold.

If you are using a CV Pro Maker template, the simple resume template and two-column resume template both accommodate a references section without disrupting the layout.

"References Available Upon Request" -- When to Use It

This phrase has become controversial in CV advice. Some career coaches say it is outdated and wastes a line. Others argue it is a polite, professional signal. The truth depends on context.

When It Makes Sense

• You have limited CV space and every line counts. The phrase takes up one line and signals that you have references ready without consuming the space to list them.
• The job posting does not ask for references but you want to reassure the employer that you can provide them. This is common in markets where references are expected early in the process.
• You are applying in a region where the phrase is still standard practice (parts of the Middle East, some European countries).

When to Skip It

• The job posting asks for named referees. In this case, list them. "Available upon request" when the request has already been made looks evasive.
• You are running short on space and need the line for something more valuable. If your CV is already at two pages and tightly packed, cutting this phrase in favour of an additional achievement is the better trade.
• You are applying in the UK or US for a standard private-sector role. Most recruiters in these markets consider the phrase unnecessary because requesting references at the offer stage is already assumed.

As a general rule: if you are not sure, leave it off. No recruiter has ever rejected a CV because it lacked "references available upon request."

Preparing Your References for the Call

Tell Them What the Role Involves

Send a one-paragraph summary of the job and the key responsibilities. A referee who knows you are applying for a data analytics lead role will emphasise your analytical skills and leadership. Without that context, they might talk about your communication skills and teamwork — perfectly true, but not strategically useful.

Remind Them of Specific Achievements

People forget details. Send a short bullet list of the most relevant projects, results, or achievements from your time working together. Something like:

• Led the CRM migration that reduced data errors by 35%
• Managed a team of six during the Q3 product launch
• Delivered the annual audit three weeks ahead of schedule

This is not putting words in their mouth. It is refreshing their memory so they can give a detailed, credible reference instead of a vague "yes, they were good."

Warn Them About Timing

Let them know roughly when to expect the call. "They will probably reach out in the next two weeks" is enough.

CV References in the MENA Region

Reference practices in the Middle East and North Africa deserve separate attention because cultural and professional norms differ significantly from Western markets.

The Role of Wasta and Professional Networks

In many MENA countries, professional networks and personal connections (wasta) carry substantial weight in hiring decisions. A reference from a well-connected industry figure can open doors that a polished CV alone cannot. This is not inherently negative — it reflects a relationship-driven business culture where trust and personal reputation matter.

However, wasta works best when it complements genuine competence. A well-placed reference who can vouch for your actual skills and work ethic is powerful. A connection who secured you the interview but cannot speak to your abilities will raise red flags during the reference check.

Practical Considerations for MENA Applications

• References are often checked earlier in the process than in the UK or US. Having your referees prepared from the start is essential.
• Seniority matters more. A reference from a director or C-suite executive carries disproportionate weight. Where possible, choose referees with senior titles.
• Government and semi-government roles in the GCC almost always require named references as part of the initial application. Do not submit without them.
• Bilingual references who can communicate in both Arabic and English are valuable for multinational organisations operating in the region.

A Quick Reference Checklist

Before you submit your next application, run through this:

• [ ] You have decided whether to include references based on the role, industry, and country
• [ ] Each referee has been asked and has agreed
• [ ] You have chosen people who know your work directly and will speak positively
• [ ] You have avoided family, friends, and distant acquaintances
• [ ] Each referee has received the job description and a reminder of your key achievements
• [ ] The reference section (if included) is formatted cleanly with name, title, contact details, and relationship
• [ ] Your referees know roughly when to expect the call

Getting Your CV Right Before References Even Matter

References are the final checkpoint. They only come into play once your CV has already done its job — getting you shortlisted and through the interview.

That means the rest of your CV needs to be strong enough to get you there. Your personal statement, your skills section, your quantified achievements, and your formatting all matter more than your references in determining whether you make it to the shortlist.

Build your CV with CV Pro Maker using one of our professionally designed templates, and keep your references ready for when they are actually needed.