Reference is an introduction of your candidature by some friend, colleague, or contact on a professional network. Several companies contact people from the reference list for background verification and performance at a previous workplace. They communicate through call or email.
References are becoming a vital part of the interview process because it helps in knowing the candidate better. Given the importance of the trust factor, you must know how to add references to a resume.
Guidelines for adding references to a resume
- The first and most important thing is the details of the reference. Compile his/her complete contact information, including name with title and surname, phone number (active on WhatsApp), email, residence address, etc.
- Mail or call the reference for permission before writing the resume and sending it to HR. If it is a totally professional connection such as from Linkedin, mail the person with all details and intimate that they might get a call from the company.
- If friends, family, and other contacts, you can simply call them to inform them about the job application and probable call.
- In the resume, put the designation with the names of the reference. It will help hiring managers understand the type of contacts you have and contact them based on their seniority.
- On the contact part, don’t mention personal phone numbers. Ask for the official number and email id and write on the resume.
- To ensure trust factor and clarity, mention the last company’s reference on the top. If not, it might cause suspicion about why you are not giving the last employer as a reference. So, don’t invite these kinds of troubles and keep good, friendly relations with all employers and mention in the reference.
Placement and structure of the reference section
Placement
The references part should be at the end part of the resume. Include details of at least two references. If you do not want to include references and can furnish upon request, you can politely mention in the resume the same.
Example of a reference in the resume
Mr. Biswajit Singh, Senior content writer (The Lekhni), Address: K-403, Gautmapuri, Delhi-110076, Phone-7870986623, Email- biswajithsingh@gmail.com
Structure
Make a section for references at the bottom of the resume. Contact and ensure references will testify to you if the company calls them. Just email or give them a phone call to remind them that you have used their names as a reference in the resume. This is the proper way for how to add references to the resume.
If you want, you can also add a separate page for references with multiple names and details.
Moving ahead with structure, start the section with a heading. You need to write your name and contact details in the heading.
Write the title below the heading. Here the title will be “professional references.” After writing the title, start writing reference details. Reference details should be in a reverse-chronological pattern. Write current or immediate ex-company’s references on the top, followed by the rest.
Though there are no rules for order, employers prefer the last company on the top. They will start verification from the last job.
Review and conclude
Relevancy matters to understand how to add references to the resume. All the references should be relevant to the job role and function. Review the content and correct all the mistakes, if any, before finalizing the resume.
