Best Practices to Professionally Format References on Your Resume

When it comes to crafting the perfect resume, most job seekers put their focus on experience, skills, and education—and rightfully so. But there's one section that often causes confusion: references. Should you include them? If yes, where and how should you list them? In this post, we’ll break down how to format references on resume the right way, and when it’s best to leave them off.

Including references on a resume isn’t always necessary, but there are cases where it can add value—especially when requested by the employer or when applying to specific industries like academia, healthcare, or government roles where references are often part of the initial screening process.

WHEN TO INCLUDE REFERENCES ON A RESUME

Before jumping into the formatting, it's important to understand when to include references:

Only if specifically requested in the job posting or application instructions.

For academic, medical, or scientific positions where references are part of the hiring process.

If you have high-profile references that may strengthen your credibility (like industry leaders or former executives).

For most job applications, it’s best to omit references from the resume and provide them on a separate page when asked.

HOW TO FORMAT REFERENCES ON RESUME

If you’ve determined that references should be included, follow these best practices for a clean and professional presentation:

Use a separate page titled "References" if listing more than one.

Include full name, professional title, organization, contact number, and email for each reference.

Provide a short context like your working relationship or how you know them.

Keep the format consistent and aligned with your resume styling.

SAMPLE REFERENCE SECTION FOR A RESUME

Here’s a realistic, manually written example of how to format references on a resume, using dummy details:

References

James R. Mitchell
Senior Marketing Manager
CreativeCore Solutions
Phone: (123) 456-7890
Email: james.mitchell@creativecore.com
Relationship: Former direct supervisor at CreativeCore Solutions (2019–2022)

Priya N. Desai
Director of Communications
BrightWave Digital
Phone: (987) 654-3210
Email: priyadesai@brightwavedigital.co
Relationship: Collaborated on multiple cross-departmental projects during consulting contract (2023)

Thomas Greene
HR Manager
TechNova Industries
Phone: (555) 901-2345
Email: tgreene@technovaindustries.com
Relationship: HR point of contact during internship program (Summer 2021)

RESUME-WRITING ADVICE BASED ON ROLE/INDUSTRY

If you’re in a corporate or private-sector role, skip listing references unless it’s requested. Instead, write “References available upon request” at the bottom of your resume if space allows (though even that is becoming outdated).

For academic or government applications, prepare a clean reference list in advance with three to five solid contacts. Always get permission before listing someone.

And for creative or freelance work, references or client testimonials can sometimes be listed in a portfolio rather than on the resume itself.

FAQ: FORMATTING REFERENCES ON A RESUME

1. Should I include references directly on my resume?
Only include them if the job posting specifically requests it. Most hiring managers prefer references to be shared later in the hiring process.

2. How many references should I list?
Three to five references is a standard range. Make sure they’re relevant and recent.

3. Can I just write “References available upon request”?
Yes, but it’s not necessary anymore unless you’re trying to fill space. Most employers assume you have references ready.

4. Should I include personal references or only professional ones?
Stick to professional references—supervisors, managers, professors, or clients. Avoid family or friends.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Knowing how to format references on resume helps you stay ready for employers who request them—and avoids unnecessary clutter when they don’t. Focus on quality, relevance, and clarity. Your references are there to back up the great impression your resume already makes.

Need more personalized resume help? Check out our resume guides for your industry or role.