References on a resume: when to list them, who to ask and what employers can say

Introduction

You've had the interview, the offer email lands, and there's a catch in the last line: "subject to satisfactory references". Suddenly you're wondering who to name and what your old manager will say. References on a resume are rarely needed in the UK, but references themselves usually come up before you start a new job, so it pays to get them ready before anyone asks.

This guide covers whether to list referees on your resume (in the UK, your CV), who to choose, how to ask and brief them, what a former employer can and can't say, and what to do if you left on bad terms.

Should you put references on your resume?

Usually not. British employers ask for referees on the application form, or once they've decided they want you. Acas, Britain's workplace advice service, tells employers it's best to ask for references at the final stage of recruitment, when making a job offer, and an offer that depends on references is a conditional offer. Printing names and phone numbers on every resume you send uses space better spent on your results, and spreads other people's contact details around.

"References available on request" doesn't add much either: every employer assumes you'll provide referees when asked. Leave the line off and keep a separate list ready instead.

There are a few exceptions. If the job advert asks for referees with your application, give them exactly as requested. Academic CVs often list referees at the end. Schools and colleges in England work differently too: the government's Teaching Vacancies service says they should obtain references before the interview stage where possible, including one from your current employer if you have one. And if you're applying in the US, the usual habit is a separate reference page with the same header as your resume, handed over when the employer asks.

Who to ask: the best references for your resume

Pick people who have seen you work closely and recently. Your most recent line manager comes first, because they can speak to your results and reliability. If your current boss doesn't know you're job hunting, a previous manager or a senior colleague is the safer choice for now.

Still studying or just graduated? A placement supervisor, internship manager, lecturer or personal tutor counts, and our guide to a resume for a student internship shows how to make that experience visible. For a first job, Acas mentions the personal or character reference: someone who knows you well without having employed you, such as a teacher, sports coach or volunteer coordinator. Leave family and close friends out.

Think about what each referee covers, too. The manager of the charity shop where you volunteered can vouch for a year away from paid work, which helps if you need to explain a gap on your resume. Have two or three people ready.

Asking permission and briefing your referees

Never put someone forward without asking first. A former manager caught off guard by a call has to dig for memories, and the hesitation shows. A short message does the job:

Hi Priya, I'm applying for a customer success role at a software company in Manchester, and they'll take up references if they offer me the job. Would you be happy to be one of my referees? I can send you the job description and my CV so you know what they're looking for.

Once they've said yes, brief them. Send the job advert and your resume, remind them of two or three things you did together that matter for this role, such as the onboarding process you rebuilt or the busy season you covered, and tell them roughly when to expect contact.

Keep your reference list on a single page: name, job title, organisation, how they know you ("my line manager at Halden Logistics, 2022 to 2024"), phone and email. When an employer asks for it, send it with the same care as when you email your resume: a clear subject line and a short message. Whatever the outcome, tell your referees how it went and thank them.

If you left on bad terms

Don't name the manager you clashed with and hope for the best. Acas suggests asking the employer whether they'd accept a reference from someone else, such as another manager or a colleague you worked with, or from a different employer. A character reference or a basic reference confirming your role and dates can also fill the gap, and some employers might take you on for a probationary period instead.

If it comes up at interview, keep it to one calm sentence: "We saw the role differently, so I'd rather point you to my project lead, who saw my work every day." Then move back to what you achieved. The interviewer is assessing you, not your old boss.

What a former employer can say about you

According to Acas, an employer doesn't have to give a reference by law unless they agreed in writing to provide one, for example in an employment contract, or the job is one of certain financial services roles regulated by the FCA or the PRA. A reference can also be agreed in other ways, such as part of a settlement agreement. Some employers only give a basic reference: your job title and the dates you worked there.

If they do give one, it must be accurate and fair. GOV.UK notes that it can cover your performance and whether you were dismissed. It shouldn't include anything that could be used in a discriminatory way, such as absences linked to a disability or to maternity or paternity leave.

Once you've started a new job, you can ask your new employer for a copy of the reference, although one given in confidence may be withheld under UK GDPR. If a misleading or inaccurate reference costs you something, such as a withdrawn offer, you may be able to claim damages in court.

Jolicv's little nudge

Your referees will be asked about the work on your resume, so make that work easy to see. On Jolicv, you can duplicate your resume for each application, sharpen the description of the role your referee knows best and check every change in the live preview. Pick a template and start for free, no card needed.

Conclusion

In the UK, references rarely belong on your resume, but you'll almost certainly need referees at some point, so line them up early. Choose two or three people who have seen your work up close, ask their permission and brief them for each application. If a relationship ended badly, offer another referee instead of hoping for the best. And remember that a reference has to be accurate and fair, so a former employer has to be able to back up what they say.