Should You Put 'References Available Upon Request' on a Resume?
by Larbi SahliPublished
You can usually omit this line and prepare references separately. Learn when instructions differ, how to get consent and what to send when asked.
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You can usually leave "references available upon request" off a standard job-search resume. Use the space for relevant experience, or leave it as breathing room. Prepare your references separately so you can respond when asked. If the application specifies a references section or a particular document, follow that instruction.
Why the line is optional
The sentence says you are willing to provide references, but does not describe a skill, achievement or qualification. If space is tight, removing it is a straightforward edit. It is not necessary to replace it with a different closing sentence.
Career guidance differs by context. Harvard's resume guide advises against listing references, while the UK's National Careers Service permits an on-request note in a CV and advises against including other people's contact details there. Neither supports the claim that the phrase automatically makes a candidate look outdated or triggers rejection.
Use the employer's instructions first. For a resume with no reference requirement, a separate prepared list keeps the application focused and lets you share contact details deliberately.
When do employers actually ask for references?
The timing depends on the hiring process. An application may request references at the start, after an interview or before a final decision. Prepare for the request in advance:
- Read the posting and form for the number and type of references required.
- Ask suitable people for permission before naming them or sharing their details.
- Confirm their preferred contact information and explain the role you are applying for.
- When the employer requests references, use the specified form or attachment and let your references know contact may follow.
Berkeley Career Engagement's guidance recommends asking permission, keeping references updated and sharing the relevant job description. Someone who supervised or observed your work can be useful, but the employer may specify a particular relationship or period.
If a separate list is requested, use your name and contact details at the top, followed by each reference's name, title or role, organization, relationship to you and the contact details they approved sharing. Include the requested number rather than assume every employer needs three or four.
A fictional entry might read: Dana Rivera | Former project supervisor at Northwind Logistics | Supervised my scheduling work, 2023–2025 | dana.rivera@example.com. Add a phone number only with permission and when appropriate. Keep this file private until you need to send it through the agreed process.
If contacting your current employer would reveal a confidential search, raise that concern with the recruiter. Ask whether a former manager or another eligible reference is acceptable, or whether current-employer contact can wait. Do not assume it will be delayed without an agreement.
What to put in that space instead
Review the posting and ask which relevant information is currently missing. The following are possible uses for the space, not a mandatory priority order:
- A relevant skill you actually use, with context. For example, describe the reporting you do in Excel instead of adding an unsupported list of tools.
- A distinct achievement or responsibility. A fictional example is "Reduced onboarding time from 10 days to 4 by revising the training schedule." Use that figure and causal explanation only if you can substantiate them.
- A required or useful credential with its correct name and current status. Our certification placement guide shows how to make those details clear.
You do not have to fill every line. If the resume already covers the important qualifications, keeping a little more space between sections may be more useful than adding another bullet.
For wording ideas, see our skills section examples and guide to hard and soft skills. Select details that you can explain in an interview. Adding a word from the posting is not a substitute for having the underlying skill.
Do not make the decision around an assumed ATS score
Applicant tracking systems and employer settings differ. There is no basis for assuming that every system discards a references section, ranks candidates the same way or rewards each extra keyword. Decide what to include from the application requirements and the evidence you want the reader to see.
Use clear headings and readable text. Put required references into the designated form or document, and check the employer's file instructions. If you upload a resume, review any fields populated from it. Our resume format guide covers the layout considerations.
How to find what belongs in that space for each job
Compare the draft with the role's requirements. Mark information you already demonstrate, identify gaps in the explanation and add only facts you can support. If you do not possess a requested qualification, changing the wording cannot create it.
You can organize the resume in Roleframe. Treat any suggested rewrite or match feedback as something to review, then inspect the finished file yourself. Keep a complete private record and select relevant evidence for each application; our guide to base resumes and tailored versions explains that workflow.
Frequently asked questions
- Is "references available upon request" outdated?
It is optional rather than universally wrong. You can omit it from a focused resume unless instructed otherwise. Some CV guidance, including the UK's National Careers Service, still uses an on-request note. There is no need to infer a candidate's age or competence from the phrase.
- What can I say instead of "references available upon request"?
Usually, you do not need an alternative sentence. Use the space for relevant evidence if something important is missing, or leave it as white space. If the employer requests a statement about references, answer that specific request.
- Is it "available upon request" or "available on request"?
Both expressions communicate that references can be provided when asked. Choose the employer's wording if a statement is requested. For an ordinary resume without that requirement, deciding whether the sentence is useful matters more than choosing between these two phrases.
- Should I list my actual references on my resume instead?
Keep a separate list unless the application specifically asks for references in the resume or CV. Get each person's permission and use their preferred contact details. An academic application may have different requirements from a general job-search resume.
- Do I need references on my resume at all?
Include them when the instructions require it, using the requested location or document. Otherwise, prepare a separate list and keep the resume focused on your qualifications. A request for references is not automatically a request to publish their contact details on every resume copy.
- Should I mention references in my cover letter?
You generally do not need to add a reference-availability sentence unless asked. A referral is different: if someone introduced you to the opportunity, mention that accurately and with their permission when relevant. It does not replace any formal reference requirement.
- What if a job application specifically asks for references up front?
Follow the requested format and obtain consent before sharing names or contact details. If you cannot provide the specified type of reference, explain the situation and ask what alternatives are acceptable. Do not list someone without permission or invent a reference to fill a required field.
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