Should references be on my resume?

Usually not. Prepare a separate references page and share it when an employer asks.

How many references should I list?

Three is standard. Some employers ask for up to five.

Who should I use as references?

Recent managers, senior colleagues, clients, or professors for students. Avoid family and friends.

What format should a reference page use?

The same header, font, and style as your resume, followed by each reference's name, title, company, contact details, and relationship.

Do I need to ask permission?

Yes. Always ask first, and let them know which jobs to expect calls about.

Resume reference page generator

Resume Reference Page Generator

Name: CVMark Resume Builder
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (1250 reviews)
Author: CVMark

Employers usually ask for references after an interview, not on your resume, so the best approach is a separate references page that matches your resume's header and font. Below is a resume format with references sample, exactly what to include for each reference, and layout examples. In CVMark, you can add your references in a dedicated section of the builder so they're formatted to match the rest of your resume.

Build My CV — No Signup

Free to build & preview
No signup to start
7-day money-back guarantee

Open the builder

Start from scratchPick a template and fill it in with a live preview.Upload your resumeImport a PDF or Word file and edit it instead of retyping.Improve it with AIOpen the builder with the AI resume coach ready to help.

•References section in the builder
•Formatted to match your resume
•Copy-ready sample layout
•Add or remove references any time

Reference Page Format Sample

JANE SMITH
Chicago, IL | (555) 123-4567 | jane.smith@email.com

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Michael Chen
Engineering Manager, BrightPath Software
michael.chen@brightpath.com | (555) 987-6543
Relationship: Former manager (2021–2024)

Emily Rodriguez
Senior Developer, StartupXYZ
emily.rodriguez@startupxyz.com | (555) 456-7890
Relationship: Former teammate (2019–2021)

What to Include for Each Reference

Full name
Job title and company
Email and phone
Relationship to you and when you worked together

Choose three references: ideally a recent manager, a senior colleague, and a client or direct report. Always ask permission first and tell them which jobs you've applied for. See how to ask for a reference.

References Resume Format: On the Resume or Separate?

Separate page (recommended): keep references off your resume and send the page when asked
On the resume: only if the job posting explicitly asks for references in the application
Skip "References available upon request", since it's assumed

More detail: references on a resume.

How to Add References in CVMark

Open your resume in the builder.
Add a References section.
Enter each reference's name, title, company, contact details, and relationship.
Preview it, and remove the section from your main resume when you don't need it.

Simple, one-time pricing

Free

No signup to start

Build your resume
Choose any template
Live preview

One Download

$3.99

One-time payment

One PDF download
Ready to send today

Job Hunt Pass

$7.99

30 days of full access

Unlimited edits and downloads
AI tailoring for any job description
ATS score checker
AI cover letters
AI mock interviews

No subscription. 7-day money-back guarantee on every purchase.

Build My CV — No Signup

Frequently asked questions

Related resources

Keep building

Guides