You are tightening up your CV, you reach the end of the page, and you pause: should referees be on a CV at all? It is a small decision that trips up a lot of job seekers, partly because advice online contradicts itself. Some templates include a full referee block; others say never to include one. Here is the practical answer, plus what to do instead so you never lose a opportunity over a formatting detail.
What "should referees be on a CV" actually means in practice
The question is really about two different things: referee details (names, phone numbers, email addresses) and the reference itself (a conversation or written statement about your work). Your CV is a marketing document for you. A reference is a verification step that happens later in the hiring process, usually after an interview or at offer stage.
In most markets, the default is to keep referee contact details off the CV and write a single line such as "References available on request." That keeps your CV focused on your experience, protects your referees' contact information, and gives you control over when and how their details are shared. It also avoids a common problem: your referee gets a call before you have had a chance to brief them on the role.
There are exceptions. Some public-sector, academic, teaching and clinical roles expect referee details as part of the application. Some job adverts state it explicitly. When the employer asks, follow the instruction. When they do not, the on-request line is the safer and more professional choice.
Rule of thumb: if the advert does not ask for referee details, do not volunteer them. Prepare them thoroughly instead.
Step-by-step guidance
1. Check what the employer has asked for
Read the advert and the application instructions carefully. If they say "provide two referees" or "include referee details on your CV", include them. If they say "references will be requested at interview stage", leave them off. If they say nothing, use the on-request line.
2. Choose your referees before you need them
Aim for two or three people who can speak to your work directly. The strongest mix is usually a recent manager or supervisor, plus someone who saw a different side of you — a client, a project lead, or a manager from an earlier role. If you are early in your career, a tutor, placement supervisor or volunteer coordinator works well.
3. Ask permission and confirm the details
Never share someone's contact details without asking. A short message is enough: explain the type of role you are applying for, ask whether they are willing to act as a referee, and confirm the best email address or phone number to use. This is also a good moment to check whether their employer has a policy about giving references.
4. Decide what goes on the CV
If you are including details, keep the block tight. For each referee: full name, current job title, organisation, their relationship to you, and one contact method. Do not add a paragraph about how wonderful they are. If you are using the on-request line, place it at the very end of the CV, after your education or additional information section.
5. Prepare a separate reference sheet
Keep a one-page document with your referees' details, ready to send when asked. This keeps your CV clean and means you can respond quickly at interview stage. It is also easier to update than a CV you have already submitted in several places.
6. Brief your referees when you reach interview stage
Once you have an interview, send each referee the job description, a short note about why you are interested, and a reminder of the projects or responsibilities most relevant to the role. This is where strong resume accomplishments and resume metrics you have already written can help — they give your referee concrete things to talk about.
Concrete worked example
The following is an illustrative example only. It is not a template to copy, and it does not describe any real person's experience.
Imagine you are applying for a customer operations role. You have two strong referees: a former team leader and a client you supported for two years. Here is how the end of your CV might look with the on-request approach:
- Illustrative line: "References available on request."
- Illustrative line for an advert that asks for details: "Referees: A. Okafor, Team Leader, Northgate Services (former line manager) — [email protected]; L. Brandt, Client Operations Lead, Meridian Retail (client contact) — phone on request."
Notice what the second version does not do: it does not list five people, it does not include personal mobile numbers without permission, and it does not explain why each referee is impressive. It gives the hiring team exactly what they need to make contact, and nothing more. The rest of the CV stays focused on your work.
If you want the experience section above that block to carry more weight, the same principle applies: specific, verifiable detail beats vague praise. Our guide to resume accomplishments is a useful companion read.
Practical checklist
- I have read the advert and know whether referee details are requested.
- If they are not requested, my CV ends with a single "References available on request" line.
- I have asked each referee for permission before sharing their details.
- Each referee can speak to my work directly, not just confirm that I existed.
- I have confirmed the correct spelling of names, job titles and organisations.
- I have a separate one-page reference sheet ready to send on request.
- I have checked whether any referee's employer restricts personal references.
- I have briefed my referees with the job description once I reach interview stage.
- I have removed referee details from my CV if I am submitting through an online form that asks for them separately.
- I have not listed a referee who would be surprised to hear from an employer.
Frequently asked questions
Should I put referees on my CV if the job advert asks for them?
If the advert explicitly asks for referee details, follow the instruction — but keep it minimal. List two referees with name, job title, organisation, relationship to you and one contact method, and place them at the end of the document. If the application is submitted through an online form, the form is usually the better place for this information, so your CV stays focused on your experience.
How many referees should I have ready?
Two or three is the usual range. Aim for at least one recent manager or supervisor who can speak to your work directly, and consider a second person such as a more senior colleague, a client contact or a previous manager from an earlier role. If you are early in your career, a tutor, placement supervisor or volunteer coordinator can work well. Always ask permission before you share anyone's details.
Can I use a colleague instead of my manager as a referee?
Yes, and it is common. A colleague who worked closely with you can often describe your day-to-day contribution in more detail than a manager who supervised you from a distance. If your current employer does not know you are job hunting, a colleague or a former manager from a previous role is usually the safer choice. Be clear with the referee about what you would like them to cover.
What if a referee has left the company or retired?
That is usually fine. What matters is that the person can verify your role and speak about your work. Provide their current contact details if you have them, and note their former job title and organisation so the hiring team can place them. If you have lost touch, a quick message asking whether they are willing to act as a referee is a normal and expected request.
The natural next step
Getting the referee question right is one small part of a strong application. The bigger job is making sure the rest of your CV is specific, honest and easy for a hiring team to scan. If you would like to see how that fits together end to end — from drafting your experience to preparing for the reference stage — you can see the workflow and follow it step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Should I put referees on my CV if the job advert asks for them?
If the advert explicitly asks for referee details, follow the instruction — but keep it minimal. List two referees with name, job title, organisation, relationship to you and one contact method, and place them at the end of the document. If the application is submitted through an online form, the form is usually the better place for this information, so your CV stays focused on your experience.
How many referees should I have ready?
Two or three is the usual range. Aim for at least one recent manager or supervisor who can speak to your work directly, and consider a second person such as a more senior colleague, a client contact or a previous manager from an earlier role. If you are early in your career, a tutor, placement supervisor or volunteer coordinator can work well. Always ask permission before you share anyone's details.
Can I use a colleague instead of my manager as a referee?
Yes, and it is common. A colleague who worked closely with you can often describe your day-to-day contribution in more detail than a manager who supervised you from a distance. If your current employer does not know you are job hunting, a colleague or a former manager from a previous role is usually the safer choice. Be clear with the referee about what you would like them to cover.
What if a referee has left the company or retired?
That is usually fine. What matters is that the person can verify your role and speak about your work. Provide their current contact details if you have them, and note their former job title and organisation so the hiring team can place them. If you have lost touch, a quick message asking whether they are willing to act as a referee is a normal and expected request.
Next step
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