When is a good time to list references?
A resume is the most important tool in the job search process. In today’s competitive market, employers might receive hundreds of applications for one position. Resumes allow hiring managers to quickly screen potential employees to decide which candidates to contact for an interview. Therefore, a resume must provide the relevant information required to attract the attention of the reader. When writing a resume, it’s not uncommon for people to ask whether to include their references. If you want to know whether to include references on your resume, keep reading.
Should You Put References on a Resume?
The simple answer is no. The purpose of a resume is to highlight your skills, qualifications, and expertise in your field, and detailed references don’t tell your employer anything about you other than who to contact to verify that you’re a reputable character. You get 1-2 pages to impress the hiring manager, and including references is a waste of space. Some applicants choose to add the words, ‘References available on request’ at the bottom of their resume; however, this is not necessary.
Why You Should Not Include References on a Resume
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t put references on a resume. Here are some of them:
It’s Too Early: The hiring process is a long one, and employers don’t need references until they’re considering hiring a candidate. Although there are no official guidelines as to when an employer requests references, it’s typically understood that references are provided when there’s an offer on the table.
Compromising Information: Since resumes are circulated online, there is a risk of compromising a reference's contact information. When references are listed on resumes, the name, phone number, and email address of the referee is included. There are some recruiters who will use these details as a cold calling opportunity to pitch their services.
Current Employer: Most people looking for a new job don’t want their employer knowing they’re planning on leaving the company, and adding their contact information as a reference can put the candidate at risk. For example, most organizations don’t contact references until an offer has been made. However, an inexperienced recruitment agent might accidentally contact a reference beforehand.
What Are the 3 Types of References You Should Include?
If you’ve been offered the job and the hiring manager asks for references, here are the three types to include:
- Professional References: These are your current or past employers who can vouch for an applicant's experience, skills, work ethic, and character. When employers ask for professional references, they are looking for additional evidence apart from what an applicant has presented on their resume.
- Academic References: If a job requires specific qualifications, the employer will need to make sure the candidate has them before hiring them officially. This is when academic references are requested. These references typically come from professors or teachers who supervised the applicant during their academic studies.
- Personal References: Unlike professional and academic references, personal references are not related to the applicants educational or professional experiences. Instead, they provide information about personal qualities such as reliability, integrity, and interpersonal skills. Personal references can be provided by individuals who know the candidate outside of a professional or academic setting such as a community leader, mentor, or a family friend.
References are extremely important during the hiring process. They allow employers to verify the accuracy of the information provided by the applicant and will determine whether a candidate is hired or not. Although references are the final stage of the hiring process, candidates should ensure they know who their references are so that when they’re requested they submit their details immediately. An applicant can not start employment until satisfactory references have been received by the company.
