Reference List vs References Available Upon Request

In brief: A reference list gives an employer the names and contact details of people who can speak about your work; "references available upon request" simply says you can provide a list. Leave the phrase off your resume in most cases and use the space for a relevant skill or accomplishment instead. Prepare a separate list, ask your contacts for permission, and share it when the employer asks or directs you to include it.

Three things to remember

1. Follow the employer's instructions if references are requested upfront.
2. Ask permission before sharing anyone's contact details.
3. Keep the list separate from your resume unless instructed otherwise.

What each option tells an employer

A reference list gives an employer people to contact. Each entry normally names the person, their current role, their relationship to you, and the contact details they've agreed to share.

"References available upon request" gives the employer none of those details. On a resume, the phrase usually takes up space you could use more effectively. In an email, though, you might use it to offer references without sending their information before someone asks for it.

Thing is, a request for references isn't a job offer. Some employers ask early, others ask after an interview, and some may not ask at all. Keep your search going until you have an offer you're ready to accept.

Choose the response that fits the request

Read the application instructions first. Your next step depends on what the employer has actually asked you to provide.

Having a list ready doesn't mean sending it everywhere. It means you can respond promptly without rushing the people you've asked to help.

Choose people who know your work

Pick people who have seen your skills firsthand. A former supervisor, colleague, client, mentor, internship supervisor, or professor could be a good fit, depending on the job and the employer's instructions. Someone who worked closely with you may be more helpful than a senior person who barely knows you.

Ask each person if they're comfortable being a reference. Then confirm which phone number and email address they're happy for you to share. Send them your current resume and the job description, too, along with a reminder of the work you did together.

Your current manager may not know you're looking, and a former workplace may limit what a supervisor can say, so it's worth raising either issue with the recruiter rather than assuming you have no other option. You could say:

"I'd prefer not to contact my current manager until later in the process. Would a former supervisor be suitable for now?"

For an international search, check the person's time zone. Also ask whether they're comfortable speaking in the language the employer will use.

Format a separate reference list

Put your name at the top of a separate document and use a heading such as "Professional References." Give each person their own entry:

[Full name]
[Current job title], [Current employer]
Relationship: [For example, former manager at Company]
Email: [Agreed email address]
Phone: [Agreed phone number, including country code if relevant]

Use their current title and employer. The relationship line can then explain where and how you worked together, which is especially useful if the person has since changed jobs.

Check the details before you send the document. Share only the information your contact agreed to provide, and use a different format if the application asks for one.

Prepare and share your list

The work starts before an employer asks. Here's a sequence you can use throughout your search:

1. Before applying: Choose people who know your work. Ask whether they're willing to serve as references before you put them on the list.
2. While applying: Save the list as a separate document somewhere easy to find. If an application requests references upfront, provide them as directed.
3. When references are requested: Send the number requested in the specified format. If the employer doesn't give a number, University of San Francisco Career Services suggests three to five references.
4. After sharing: Tell your contacts the employer's name and the role involved. Send useful context if you haven't already given it to them.
5. After the process: Thank your references and let them know the outcome. Check in before listing them again, particularly if your search continues for a long time.

You can also consider career coaching for an international move as part of broader job-search planning.

Reference list FAQs

Should I put "references available upon request" on my resume?

Usually, no. Use the space for relevant skills or experience and provide your references when the employer asks. If the instructions specifically request the phrase, follow them.

Should I put my reference list on my resume?

Usually, keep the list in a separate document. Check the application instructions before submitting it, since an employer may ask for something different.

Can I use a professor as a job reference?

Yes. A professor who knows your work can be a useful reference, particularly when that work relates to the role. If you also have relevant professional contacts, consider including them.

The bottom line

For most resumes, leave out "references available upon request." Ask your contacts for permission now, prepare a separate list, and keep it ready to send in the format an employer requests.