When to Share References
Experts weigh in on if you should you list references on your resume and when to share references
Job seekers sometimes ask if they should list references on their resume and best practice of when to share references. We found an article by UpJourney that polls industry experts on exactly this topic and summarized their opinions below…
Introduction
While some employers require you to submit resume references, other employers and hiring managers won’t request that list until after the final in-person interview.
So, if you reach this point in the hiring process and they ask you to provide a list of references, what’s the best way to present them? UpJourney asked experts to share their insights, and here’s what they said.
Expert Opinion 1: Do not put references in private sector resumes
The simple answer is: do not put references in private sector resumes!
Why?
References may not want to have their names and contact information exposed all over the world inside resume databases.
There are recruiters who (especially potentially outside the USA – eastern Asian mass recruiters) have no compunction about picking up the phone and calling the references before even speaking to the job candidates. This is ‘unethical’ – recruiters inside the USA are more likely to ask for written signature authorizations to contact the references for information.
One Notable Exception
Government Service (GS) resumes that are submitted to the USAJobs.gov resume database for job applications to work in the federal government (agencies) are required to have references at the bottom of the resume.
Expert Opinion 3: At the end of the resume
When I work with candidates who have references on their resume, there are three things I recommend:
Where they list the reference on the resume: the best place is at the end of the resume
What references to use
How they list the reference
What References to Use
At least one, and preferably two, people who the candidate directly reported into. The candidate’s most recent or current boss is best, but sometimes it is not possible to list their current boss as the candidate doesn’t want them to know they are looking for a new role. But, if your current boss is aware you are leaving, for whatever reason, it is great to list them. This reference needs to speak about your work ethic, your ability to work with or without supervision, the ability to meet deadlines, knowledge of whatever work that you do, etc.
A current or previous direct report – this person needs to be able to speak to the candidate’s leadership style and how they supported them. It is also helpful if they can speak to how the candidate interacted with his/her boss.
A peer – they can give some unique insight on the candidate as they have not reported into the candidate, nor have they been the candidate’s boss. They can share details on how the candidate interacted with them as well as others.
A friend – they can speak to how the candidate is outside of work (i.e., their personality, how they are in public, etc.)
How they list the reference
Include the person’s full name
Current title
Current company
Phone number (preferably their cell number)
Email address
A brief comment about their relationship with the candidate
Expert Opinion 3: You should never put your references on your resume
The last thing you want to do is give complete strangers control of your references while they review your resume. Once you give control away, you have no idea who or when a potential employer may call your references. It’s not fair to you or references either. You need to control the flow of information at all times.
Never provide your references until you are at the point of an offer being made. When checking references, all an employer wants is good news. You control that, by sending your references an email letting them know the:
company.
person who will be contacting them.
five points that you want them to discuss about you.
This provides a uniform presentation of who you are and keeps you in control of the information flow at all times.
Source
View the complete UpJourney article