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A student recently contacted me with a question about the use of references on her husband’s resume:

I hear that putting references on your resume is a no-no. My husband is having to job-search again, so we are updating his resume. I was wondering if we should take out the references? Thanks.

That’s correct: you should not include references on your resume. Here’s why.

What’s the Purpose of My Resume and Cover Letter?

Your resume and cover letter work together as a team to accomplish one purpose: to get you an interview. They do not get you hired; rather, they help you get in the door to talk to the people who can hire you. Your resume tells what you have done in the past and up to this point. Your cover letter tells what you will do for the organization, if hired, given the experiences and skills described on your resume.

Since the resume and cover letter merely give you access to those with hiring authority, there’s no reason to include references on your resume. Why? Because the person (or people) who interview you won’t call your references until after they’ve met you. If they screen you out during the interview process, they’re not going to take the time to call your references. If, on the other hand, you pass the interview well, the interviewer will want to find out more about you. It’s at that point that your references will then be contacted.

Who Should I Include as References?

As one of my colleagues often says, "Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior." For this reason, most prospective employers will want to see previous employers listed as references. If you’re a college student and don’t have a great deal of work experience, you can include advisors or professors with whom you’ve taken classes. Unless you’re asked to provide a peer reference, don’t include friends on your list.

Two VERY IMPORTANT points:

1. Before you add someone to your list, make sure you ask them first.
2. Before you go to your interview, notify your references.

A prospective employer who calls someone on your list will know immediately if they’re expecting the call. Compare:

INTERVIEWER: Hi, this is Gail Smith from Big Corp. John Jones recently applied for a postion with our company and listed you as a reference. Do you have a few minutes to tell us about John?

ME: Oh–yeah–sure. (thinking: John… John… Jones… hmmm… Third row, fourth seat from the right… Ok…)

Vs.

INTERVIEWER: Hi, this is Gail Smith from Big Corp. John Jones recently applied for a postion with our company and listed you as a reference. Do you have a few minutes to tell us about John?

ME: Absolutely. John told me you’d be calling.

See the difference? Which makes a better impression on the interviewer?

When Should I Offer My References?

When you show up for the interview, bring additional copies of your cover letter and resume as well as your list of references. Even though the organization will likely have already made copies of your resume for anyone attending your interview, this shows that you are prepared–always a good thing to demonstrate.

Virginia Tech’s Career Center has more good advice on references. Check it out.

Filed under: Job Hunting by Michael