Should you put referees on your CV?

The risks of including your referees

In addition to your referees serving no purpose on your CV, there are a number of risks associated with including them.

Privacy concerns

Referees might prefer to keep their contact information private. Not everyone is comfortable with their email addresses or phone numbers being shared widely.

Unexpected contact

If you include referees' contact details on your CV, there's a possibility that potential employers or recruiters might contact them without notifying you first. This can catch your referees off guard and may lead to a less-than-optimal recommendation.

Maintaining control

By not including referees' contact details on your CV, you retain control over when and how your referees are contacted. This allows you to inform them beforehand and gives you an opportunity to prepare them for a potential reference call.

Space considerations

CVs often have limited space, especially if you are trying to keep it to a reasonable length. Including referees' contact details can take up valuable space that could be used to highlight your skills, achievements, and work experience.

Additionally, recruiters and employers usually spend a very short time, around 30-60 seconds, scanning each CV. Therefore, you don't want to clutter it with unnecessary details.

Customisation for each application

You may want to tailor your referees based on the specific job you're applying for. Not all referees may be equally relevant for every position, and omitting their contact details allows you to provide the most appropriate references for each application.

Referees available upon request

As a final piece of advice, it's also not worth including the statement "referees available upon request" on your CV.

This statement is generally considered unnecessary and outdated. There are a few reasons why it should be omitted.

Assumed practice

It is generally understood that if an employer wants references, they will ask for them. Including the statement is seen as redundant because it doesn't provide any additional information and is considered a standard practice.

Space conservation

CVs and resumes often have limited space, and it's important to use that space wisely to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Including a statement about referees can be seen as taking up valuable space that could be used for more pertinent information.

Professionalism

A CV is expected to be professional and concise. Including a statement about referees might be perceived as unnecessary or even amateurish. It's more effective to focus on presenting a well-organized document that showcases your qualifications.

Privacy & permission

Before providing someone's contact information as a reference, it's essential to obtain their permission. Including a blanket statement may imply that you haven't sought consent from your referees, which could be seen as a lack of professionalism.

Digital applications

In the age of digital applications, most employers prefer to receive references through a separate process, often later in the hiring process. They may have a specific form, questionnaire, or preferred method for collecting reference information.

Instead of including a statement about referees, consider preparing a separate document with a list of references that you can provide upon request. This way, you can tailor the reference list to the specific job you're applying for and ensure that your references are prepared to speak about your qualifications for that particular role.