Should You List References on Your Resume?

For many, building a resume is the most stressful part of looking for a new job. It seems as if the trends of how to make a good resume are ever changing. Experts say you should curate something eye-catching, yet professional, it should be succinct, yet shows off all that you have to offer. It can be really hard to know what’s right, and the longer you spend tweaking your resume, the more job opportunities you potentially miss out on.

Luckily, we’re here to tell you that there’s one section of your resume you can stop worrying about. At least right at the beginning. And that’s your reference section, which in most cases, shouldn’t be included on your resume at all.

Why You Should Not Include References On Your Resume

Most job seekers probably already know that the average hiring manager spends less than ten seconds on their initial scan of a resume—and that’s assuming your application even gets onto the hiring manager's desk. Only about 25% of resumes will make it through the algorithm of a company’s applicant tracking system, which is another reason to eliminate unnecessary information—it might reduce your chances of confusing the ATS.

Experts also agree that the ideal length of a resume is between 475 and 600 words, with research showing that candidates who send in resumes outside of that range are seen as less hirable about 43% of the time.

Your resume is supposed to be an overview of your education, experience, and skills. It is meant to land you an interview, during which time you will have the opportunity to elaborate on what was listed. Remember, there is no word limit in an interview.

Including references on your resume will only take up space and potentially be seen by hiring managers as redundant—perhaps even a sign of unprofessionalism or lack of research.

That said, there are instances in which a company may request references from the very start of the application process. This information can typically be found in the job description, so make sure you’re reading those carefully and that you tailor your resume/cover letter to each and every job you apply for.

What To Do With References Instead

Most of the time, a company will ask for your references once you are at least a few steps into the hiring process, at which time, you want to have your references ready to go. You should have all their information already typed out on a separate piece of paper, making sure you include the following:

• First and last name
• Job title and company name
• Contact information (both an email address and phone number would be preferred, but only if your reference has given you permission to give both)
• One sentence description of how you know this person/in what capacity you worked with them

Just because your references won’t be listed on your resume, that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. It’s estimated that at least 70% of employers do actually call the references of every candidate they are considering.

When picking your references, choose people who are respected in their field, professional, and most importantly, who will speak highly of you. Once you’ve chosen those individuals, receive permission ahead of time for future employers to contact them, and curate your list, that way you are ready to go the second a reference request comes through.

Need More Job Application Tips?

Now that you’ve taken an entire section off of your resume, you might be looking at what’s left and feeling a little underwhelming as a candidate. You might be unsure of your chances to pass an AI application review, or you’re worried that you won’t know how to conduct yourself at an interview. Whatever the issue is, CyberCoders has you covered!

To learn more about how to sell yourself as a candidate, current trends in the labor market, and other tips on navigating the world of hiring, check out our insights page. Then, once you’ve curated the perfect resume and are ready to put your best foot forward, start your job search with us. Our dedicated recruiters and true match technology will help you land the perfect job in a fraction of the time!