How to List References on Your CV (With Examples)

CV references are a list of people who can vouch for your professional skills and qualifications.

Whether you’re writing an academic CV or you’re looking for work in Europe using a Europass CV, adding references can boost your credibility.

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Example of a CV references section

To give you a better idea of what a references section on a CV should look like, here’s an example of a properly formatted CV references section:

Here’s a step-by-step guide to adding references to your CV:

1. Check that references are requested

You should only include references on your CV if the employer requests it. Otherwise, it’s better to use the extra space on your CV to draw attention to more of your accomplishments.

You also don’t need to include a sentence at the bottom of your CV saying “References available upon request.” Employers expect candidates to be able to provide references, so there’s no need to state that you’re willing to provide them.

2. Ask for permission from your reference

Always ask your references if you can list them on your CV before adding them. It’s considered good etiquette to obtain permission before sharing contact information.

Not only is it the respectful thing to do, but asking will also give your references time to prepare. If your reference is someone you haven’t worked with for a while, they might need a few days to refresh their memory and come up with a list of examples that showcase your top skills and achievements.

They also might not check their emails every day, so send your request at least a week before you plan on submitting your application.

3. List your reference’s job title and contact details

When putting your references together, include the following information:

• Full name
• Title
• Company or university name
• Company or university address
• Work phone number
• Work email address

4. Mention your relationship

Ideal references are people who can speak positively about your qualifications and performance. Some examples of people to ask are:

• Professors
• Managers
• Supervisors
• Colleagues
• Academic advisors
• Clients

It’s best to reference people who know you and your work well. They’ll be able to provide a better, more detailed reference than someone who isn’t as familiar with your work.

How to ask for a reference

You should send your request to your reference a week before submitting your application. Since you don’t know how quickly the company will process your job application, this will give them time to refresh their memory and prepare for the call.

As for the content of your reference request email, here’s a template for you to copy and paste:

CV references request template

Frequently asked questions about listing references on your CV

Here are some commonly asked questions about listing references on your CV:

Should I include references on my CV?

You should only include references on your CV if they are explicitly asked for in the job description. If they aren’t requested, don’t add them.

Who should I list as a reference?

Only ask connections who’ve had a positive experience working with you. If you ever had a conflict with an old manager or professor, even if you resolved it, consider asking someone else. You don’t want your new potential employer to call up one of the people on your list and have them provide a less-than-stellar reference.

Should I have a list of references ready even if they aren’t requested?

Yes, always have a list of references ready should the employer ask to see them, even if they aren’t requested in the job description.

Employers may ask for your references after an initial round of interviews so be prepared.

Can I refer to LinkedIn references on my CV reference list?

No, you don’t need to refer to your LinkedIn recommendations in your reference list. However, if someone has already written a recommendation for you on LinkedIn, they are most likely comfortable with also being on your reference list so feel free to ask them, using our CV reference request template.