Knowing how to list references on your CV can help employers verify your work history, skills, qualifications or character when they need additional information about you.
A reference is someone who can provide an employer with information about your experience, abilities, work ethic or professional conduct. Depending on the position, an employer may contact your references during the recruitment process.
However, you should not simply add someone’s name and phone number to your CV without asking them first.
This guide explains how to list references on a CV, who you can use, what information to include and common mistakes to avoid.
What Is a Reference on a CV?
A reference is a person who knows you professionally, academically or through another relevant experience and can provide information about your suitability for an opportunity.
A professional reference could be:
- A previous manager
- Supervisor
- Team leader
- Lecturer
- Teacher
- Internship supervisor
- Learnership supervisor
- Volunteer coordinator
- Project supervisor
- Previous employer
The best reference depends on your experience and the type of opportunity you are applying for.
Do You Need References on Your CV?
Not every CV needs a full list of references.
Some employers may specifically ask for references during the application process, while others may only request them later.
If the job advertisement does not ask for references, you can choose to leave them off your CV and provide them when requested.
Another option is to write:
References available on request
However, you do not necessarily need to include even this sentence. The space can sometimes be used for more important information about your skills, qualifications or experience.
How to List References on a CV
If you decide to include references, create a separate section near the end of your CV.
A basic format could look like this:
References
John Smith
Former Manager, ABC Company
Phone: 012 345 6789
Email: john.smith@example.com
Sarah Mokoena
Lecturer, ABC University
Phone: 011 123 4567
Email: sarah.mokoena@example.com
Keep the formatting consistent with the rest of your CV.
What Information Should You Include?
A reference entry can include:
- Full name
- Job title or relationship to you
- Company or organisation
- Telephone number
- Professional email address
For example:
Thabo Mokoena
IT Manager, ABC Technologies
Phone: 012 555 1234
Email: thabo.mokoena@example.com
You do not need to provide unnecessary personal information about your reference.
Always Ask Before Using Someone as a Reference
Before putting someone on your CV, contact them and ask whether they are willing to act as your reference.
This is important because:
- They need to know that employers may contact them.
- They can prepare for possible questions.
- You can confirm that their contact details are still correct.
- You avoid giving an employer an outdated or incorrect reference.
You should also tell your reference what types of positions you are applying for.
Who Should You Use as a Reference?
The best reference is generally someone who knows your work, education or relevant abilities and can give an honest and useful assessment.
Possible references include:
Previous Manager
A previous manager can discuss your responsibilities, performance and workplace behaviour.
Supervisor
A supervisor can provide information about your day-to-day work and responsibilities.
Lecturer
If you are a graduate or student with limited work experience, a lecturer may be able to provide an academic reference.
Teacher
For school leavers, a teacher can sometimes provide a reference, particularly when you have little or no employment experience.
Internship Supervisor
An internship supervisor can discuss your performance, responsibilities and workplace skills.
Learnership Supervisor
If you completed a learnership, the supervisor or workplace mentor may be an appropriate reference.
Volunteer Coordinator
If you have volunteered for an organisation, the person who supervised your work may be able to provide a reference.
Who Should You Avoid Using as a Reference?
Avoid using people who cannot provide meaningful information about your abilities or experience.
For example, you should generally avoid:
- Random friends
- People who barely know you
- People who cannot discuss your work
- People who do not remember working with you
- Someone you have not spoken to in many years
- Family members, unless specifically requested or genuinely relevant
A reference should have a credible connection to the experience you are presenting on your CV.
Can You Use a Family Member as a Reference?
Usually, professional or academic references are more appropriate.
A family member may not be able to provide an objective assessment of your workplace abilities.
If an application specifically asks for a character reference and permits someone who knows you personally, the requirements may be different.
Always follow the employer’s instructions.
How Many References Should You Include?
There is no universal number of references that every CV must contain.
If the employer requests a specific number, follow the instructions in the job advertisement.
If no number is specified, two or three relevant references may be sufficient when references are requested.
Quality matters more than quantity.
It is better to have two people who can genuinely discuss your abilities than a long list of people who barely know your work.
Professional Reference Example
Here is a simple example:
References
Nomsa Dlamini
Operations Supervisor, ABC Company
Phone: 011 456 7890
Email: nomsa.dlamini@example.com
David Naidoo
IT Manager, XYZ Solutions
Phone: 012 789 4567
Email: david.naidoo@example.com
Make sure the details are accurate and that both people have agreed to act as references.
Academic Reference Example
Students and graduates may not have many professional references.
An academic reference could look like this:
Academic Reference
Dr. Sarah Mokoena
Lecturer, Department of Information Technology
ABC University
Phone: 011 234 5678
Email: sarah.mokoena@example.com
Only use a lecturer or teacher as a reference if they know you well enough to provide useful information.
Reference Example for a School Leaver
If you have never had a job, you can consider an appropriate teacher or other person who supervised your activities.
For example:
Reference
Mr. Peter Mokoena
Teacher, ABC High School
Phone: 012 345 6789
Email: peter.mokoena@example.com
You should ask the teacher first and make sure they are comfortable being contacted.
Reference Example for an Internship Applicant
If you are applying for an internship and have completed previous volunteer work or practical training, you could use someone who supervised that experience.
Reference
Lerato Khumalo
Internship Supervisor, ABC Organisation
Phone: 011 555 1234
Email: lerato.khumalo@example.com
References Available on Request
You may have seen CVs that end with:
References available on request.
This means that the applicant has references but will provide their details if the employer asks for them.
There is nothing inherently wrong with this approach.
However, if the employer specifically requests references, you should provide them according to the application instructions rather than simply writing “available on request.”
Should You Put References on a Separate Page?
If you have several references or the employer specifically requests a separate reference document, you can create a separate page.
For example:
Professional References
- Name
Position
Organisation
Telephone
Email - Name
Position
Organisation
Telephone
Email
For a normal CV, however, references can usually be kept in a short section at the end if they are required.
Should You Include Reference Letters?
A reference letter and a reference contact are not exactly the same thing.
A reference contact provides an employer with someone they can contact.
A reference letter is a written recommendation provided by someone who knows your work or abilities.
Do not automatically attach reference letters to every application unless the employer asks for them or they add genuine value.
Should You Include References for Every Job?
Not necessarily.
You can maintain a separate list of references and provide the appropriate people depending on the position.
For example, if you are applying for an IT job, a previous IT manager may be more relevant than a reference from an unrelated part-time job.
If you are applying for an academic opportunity, an appropriate lecturer may be more useful.
How to Choose the Right Reference
When selecting a reference, consider:
1. Relevance
Does this person know about the skills or experience related to the position?
2. Professional relationship
Did you work, study or volunteer under their supervision?
3. Recent experience
Can they accurately describe your more recent abilities?
4. Availability
Are they likely to respond if an employer contacts them?
5. Professionalism
Can they communicate professionally with a potential employer?
Tell Your References About the Job
Before an employer contacts your reference, it can be helpful to tell the reference what position you have applied for.
For example, you might tell them:
“I’m applying for an IT Support Technician position. The role focuses on first-line support, troubleshooting and customer service. I have listed you as a reference.”
This allows them to understand the context if the employer contacts them.
Keep Your Reference Details Updated
People change jobs, phone numbers and email addresses.
Before submitting your CV, check that your references’ details are still correct.
An incorrect phone number or email address could make it difficult for an employer to contact them.
It is also a good idea to check with your references periodically if you are actively applying for jobs.
Common Reference Mistakes
1. Using someone without permission
Always ask first.
2. Providing incorrect contact details
Check phone numbers and email addresses.
3. Using personal information unnecessarily
Only provide information relevant to contacting the reference.
4. Choosing people who do not know your work
A reference should be able to provide meaningful information.
5. Using too many references
A long list is not necessarily better.
6. Using family members without a valid reason
Professional or academic references are usually more appropriate.
7. Forgetting to tell your references
Let them know when you are actively applying for positions.
8. Using an outdated reference
Choose someone who can accurately discuss your experience.
What If You Have No References?
If you have never worked before, you may still have people who can provide relevant references.
Consider:
- Teachers
- Lecturers
- Internship supervisors
- Volunteer coordinators
- Project supervisors
- Coaches or activity supervisors where appropriate
The person should be able to provide a credible assessment of your character, responsibilities or abilities.
You can also simply leave references off your CV unless the employer asks for them.
References for Government Job Applications
Some job applications may specifically request reference information or additional supporting documents.
Always follow the instructions in the specific job advertisement or application form.
Do not assume that every government position uses exactly the same requirements.
If the application asks for references, provide the requested information in the required format.
References for Internships and Learnerships
Students and first-time job seekers may have limited professional references.
For internships and learnerships, appropriate references could include:
- Teachers
- Lecturers
- Internship supervisors
- Volunteer supervisors
- Previous part-time employers
- Project supervisors
Choose someone who can honestly explain your abilities and responsibilities.
Where Should References Appear on a CV?
If you are including references, they normally appear towards the end of the CV.
A typical CV structure could be:
- Personal details
- Professional profile
- Skills
- Work experience
- Education and qualifications
- Certifications
- References
The exact order can vary depending on your experience and the job.
References Checklist
Before submitting your CV, check:
- You asked each person for permission.
- Their names are spelled correctly.
- Their job titles are accurate.
- Their organisation is correct.
- Their phone numbers are correct.
- Their email addresses are correct.
- They are relevant to the position.
- They know you are applying for jobs.
- You have followed the employer’s instructions.
- You have not included unnecessary personal information.
Create Your CV Online
Once you know how to list references, you can add them to a professionally structured CV.
With the YouthPlug free online CV builder, you can create your CV online, add your work experience, qualifications, skills and references, edit your information whenever you need to and change your CV template.
Keeping your CV online also makes it easier to update your reference details when someone’s contact information or position changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many references should I put on my CV?
There is no universal number. If the employer requests a specific number, follow their instructions. Otherwise, two or three relevant references can be sufficient when references are required.
Should I put references on my CV?
Not always. If the employer does not request references, you can leave them off and provide them later if requested.
Should I write “references available on request”?
You can, but it is not essential. If space is limited, you may prefer to use that space for more important CV information.
Who can I use as a reference if I have no work experience?
You could consider a teacher, lecturer, volunteer coordinator, project supervisor or another person who has directly supervised your work or activities.
Can I use a friend as a reference?
A friend is generally not the strongest choice unless they have a legitimate professional or supervisory relationship with you and can provide relevant information.
Can I use a family member as a reference?
Professional and academic references are generally more appropriate. Only use a family member if the application specifically permits it and the person can provide a relevant reference.
Do I need permission before listing someone?
Yes. Always ask someone before providing their contact details to potential employers.
Should references be included at the end of a CV?
If you choose to include them, the references section is commonly placed near the end of the CV.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to list references can help you present a professional and organised CV.
Choose people who genuinely know your work, education or relevant abilities, ask for their permission before listing them and make sure their contact details are accurate.
Remember that references are only one part of your CV. Your qualifications, skills, work experience and professional profile should also clearly communicate what you can offer an employer.
The most important thing is to keep your CV accurate, relevant and easy to read.
