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References on Resume

References on Resume: How to Handle Them?

By Amit ChilkaResume WritingSeptember 18, 2023September 17, 2023 No comments yet

Hey there, friend! So, you're polishing up that resume of yours, huh? Awesome! But wait a minute—what about references? You know, those people who can vouch for your awesomeness when a potential employer calls up to check? Yeah, we need to talk about that. So grab a coffee, sit back, and let’s unravel the mystery of how to handle references on resume.

Table of Contents

    • References on Resume: The Unsung Heroes 
    • The Choices, The Dilemmas: To Include or Not to Include?
    • The Reference Trio: Professional, Academic, and Personal
      • Professional References: Your Work Buddies
      • Academic References: Your Brainy Pals
      • Personal References: Friends & Mentors
    • Picking Your A-Team: How to Choose Your References
      • Job Relevance: The Closer, The Better
      • Star Power: The Cred Factor
      • Stay Current, Stay Connected
    • The Art of Asking: Timing and Technique
      • Don’t Be Shy: Just Ask
      • Show Some Love: Say Thanks
    • Making It Pretty: Formatting Your Reference Sheet
      • Consistency Is Key: Stick to Your Resume Style
      • The Basics: What to Include
    • References on Resume: The Do’s and Don’ts
      • Do’s
      • Don’ts
    • References on Resume: Online References in the Modern Times
    • What If a Reference Turns Sour?
    • References on Resume: The Wrap-up
    • FAQs on References on Resume
  • Want to craft a killer resume? 

References on Resume: The Unsung Heroes 

You've heard it before, right? "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Well, references are your golden ticket in proving that you’re not only qualified on paper but also a star performer in reality. They’re like the backup singers to your lead vocal—without them, the song just isn't complete.

The Choices, The Dilemmas: To Include or Not to Include?

Should you or should you not include references directly on your resume? In most cases, hold off until the hiring manager asks for them. Your resume should be all about you; it's your time in the spotlight. Save the stage for your references when the employer says, "Encore!"

Should You List References on a Resume?

The Reference Trio: Professional, Academic, and Personal

Remember the Three Musketeers? Here’s how your references should roll:

Professional References: Your Work Buddies

Your past bosses, colleagues, or even subordinates fit perfectly here. Imagine you're Sarah, a marketing manager applying for a higher position. Your former boss, Mr. A, says, "Sarah's campaigns consistently outperformed our targets." Bam! You just moved up in the queue.

Academic References: Your Brainy Pals

Especially if you’re a fresh grad, professors or academic advisors can be gold. For instance, suppose you're Tim, a recent computer science grad. Your project supervisor says, "Tim's coding skills were invaluable to our research." Sounds like a win, doesn't it?

Personal References: Friends & Mentors

Okay, so you might not have a long list of professional or academic contacts. No worries! A personal reference can also do wonders. Let's say you've been active in community service. The coordinator could be like, "Jamie shows exemplary leadership skills in community projects."

Picking Your A-Team: How to Choose Your References

Job Relevance: The Closer, The Better

Consider the job you're applying for. If you're gunning for a managerial role, a reference from a past leadership position is worth its weight in gold.

Star Power: The Cred Factor

Do you know someone respected in your industry who can vouch for you? That’s like getting a celebrity endorsement! For example, imagine you're in environmental sciences, and your reference is a published researcher. That's like having Beyoncé endorse your singing skills!

Stay Current, Stay Connected

Lost touch with a reference? Reach out. A quick coffee catch-up can refresh their memory about how fabulous you are.

The Art of Asking: Timing and Technique

Don’t Be Shy: Just Ask

Be direct, but polite. A phone call or an email outlining why you’re asking them and what the job entails should do the trick. And always ask, "Is this a good time?"

Show Some Love: Say Thanks

After they agree, shoot them a thank-you note or even a small gift. Kindness goes a long way, my friend.

Making It Pretty: Formatting Your Reference Sheet

Consistency Is Key: Stick to Your Resume Style

Your reference sheet should look like it's the twin of your resume. No mix-and-matching fonts or formats, okay?

The Basics: What to Include

Name, title, company, and contact info are musts. A one-liner on how you know them is the cherry on top.

References on Resume: The Do's and Don’ts

Do’s

  1. Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference.
  2. Keep your reference list updated.
  3. Prep your references by sharing the job description and skills the company is looking for.

Don’ts

  1. Family is off-limits—your mom thinking you’re awesome doesn’t count!
  2. If someone says no, thank them and move on—no hard feelings.

How to List References on a Resume (Dos and Don'ts)

References on Resume: Online References in the Modern Times

LinkedIn endorsements and recommendations are becoming more valuable. But remember, they’re like appetizers; the main course is still your offline references.

What If a Reference Turns Sour?

It’s like going on stage and forgetting the lyrics. Awkward but not a disaster. Call them up, clarify what went wrong, and if needed, remove them from your list. Always have backup singers!

References on Resume: The Wrap-up

There you have it—a complete guide to handling references on your resume. Follow these steps and you're well on your way to creating a killer, holistic representation of who you are. Remember, you're not just a list of skills and experiences—you're a complete package of awesomeness waiting to be unwrapped by your next employer!


FAQs on References on Resume

Should I add references to my resume right away?

Nah, wait until they ask for it.

Can Aunt Susie be my reference?

Love Aunt Susie, but no. Keep it professional.

What if my reference flubs it up?

Don't sweat it. Talk to them, figure out what went sideways, and fix it.

How many star players should be on my reference team?

Three to five should cover your bases.

Can I use my old boss who fired me?

Tread carefully. If you think they'll still give you a glowing review, then go for it.

Also read, The 10-Step Ultimate Guide to Writing a Winning Resume

Access all the resume writing resources here. 


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