Job seekers may have several questions when it comes to what to include and what not to include on their resume. One of the most common questions relates to references and whether or not you should go ahead and provide them directly on your resume. Here’s how to properly approach this issue.
Don’t Include Them Unless Asked to Do So
Generally speaking, you do not need to provide references until you’re asked to do so. This will apply to the vast majority of jobs because most employers will wait until the next round of the hiring process to ask for them. It’s just not usually worth their time to fuss with references until they’ve first narrowed down their applicant pool to only a handful of qualified candidates.
If an employer is impressed with your resume, cover letter, portfolio, etc., they may ask you for references at a later time before your interview. So the bottom line is that you shouldn’t include them unless a job posting formally states that you’re required to do so.
When Do I Need to Include References?
You’ll know they’re necessary right off the bat if a job ad says something like the following:
Applicants must submit the following documents online:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- A list of three professional references with telephone numbers and email addresses
In this instance, you’ll definitely want to include them.
What Do I Do When References are Requested?
Most experts agree that it’s ill advised to include references directly on your resume. That’s because it’s ideal to keep your resume to one page or less. As a result, you’re going to have limited room to work with, and this space is better suited for listing your skills and qualifications rather than references.
Ideally, you’ll create a different page and either paste or upload it separately. This will allow you to include all of the necessary information without bogging down your resume.
Hopefully this post clears up any misconceptions surrounding references and whether or not they should go directly on your resume. The key takeaway is that you’re generally not expected to include them unless asked to do so.
Looking for more on job search etiquette and how to streamline things? Check out our related blog posts or reach out to the team of professional recruiters at Encadria Staffing Solutions today!