How to Write a CV Reference Section: Format and Examples

To write a CV reference section, first ask two people who know your work, such as a manager or teacher, if they agree to be referees. On most CVs you then add a short line saying references are available on request, and send their names and contact details only when an employer asks, from a separate list.

Key facts

• The UK National Careers Service says a CV can include a references section if someone has agreed to give a reference, but you should not put someone else's contact details on your CV; you can say references are available on request. (National Careers Service, How to write a CV, 2026)
• MIT Career Advising advises lining up references but not including them on a US resume unless asked, noting employers assume references are available upon request. (MIT Career Advising and Professional Development, Resumes, 2026)
• In the UK an employer does not usually have to give a work reference, but if they do it must be fair and accurate, and it can be brief, such as job title, salary and dates of employment. (GOV.UK, References: your rights, 2026)
• In the UK, employers must give a reference if there was a written agreement to do so or they are in a regulated industry such as financial services. (GOV.UK, References: your rights, 2026)
• The Department for Education published an early years employment reference template in August 2025 that asks about the person's role, safeguarding history and suitability to work with children. (GOV.UK, Early years employment reference template, Aug 2025)

Knowing how to write a CV reference section saves you from a common mistake: putting other people's private details on a document you send to many employers. The good news is that the reference part of a CV is short. What matters more is choosing the right people, asking them well and having their details ready when an employer asks. This guide explains the rules from official careers services and gives simple examples you can copy.

What a CV reference is

A reference is a statement from someone who knows your work, study or character. Employers use references to check what you told them, such as your job title and dates, and sometimes to ask how you work. The person who gives the reference is called a referee. Most employers ask for references near the end of the process, often after an interview or with a job offer.

How to write a CV reference section step by step

Official advice on the reference section is simple. The UK National Careers Service says you can include a section about references if someone has agreed to give you one, such as a current or past employer, a teacher or someone respected in your community. But it also says you should not put someone else's contact details on your CV. Instead, you can write that references are available on request.

US advice goes one step further. MIT Career Advising suggests lining up references but not including them on a resume unless asked, and notes that employers assume references are available upon request, so you do not need to say it. Follow the habit of the country you apply in.

1. Choose two referees. Most employers ask for two. One should be a recent manager if you have one.
2. Ask them first. Never list someone who has not agreed.
3. Add one short line to your CV if it suits the country: "References available on request."
4. Make a separate reference list with full details, ready to send.
5. Tell your referees when an employer may contact them.

Examples of a reference section

UK CV

References
References are available on request.

US resume

Leave the line out. Keep a separate reference page ready and send it when asked.

Europass and other European CVs

Many European CVs follow the same idea: keep personal details of other people off the main CV. The Europass CV builder lets you choose which sections to include, so you can add a references line only when an advert asks for it.

When the advert asks for referees on the CV

Some adverts, especially in the public sector or for academic jobs, ask you to name referees in the application. Only then, and only with your referees' agreement, add their details in the format below.

What to include on a reference list

Your separate reference list should be easy to read and match your CV in style. For each referee, include:

• Full name
• Job title and organisation
• How they know you, for example "my line manager from 2023 to 2026"
• Work email address
• Work phone number, if they agree

Example:

Amina Khan
Operations Manager, Northfield Logistics
My line manager, March 2023 to June 2026
[email protected]
+44 20 0000 0000

Use work contact details where possible, and check them before each application. A reference that bounces back or reaches the wrong person can slow down a job offer.

Who to choose as a referee

The best referees know your work well and will speak positively and honestly about it. Good choices include:

• Your current or most recent manager. Employers value this reference most.
• A previous manager or supervisor. Useful if you cannot ask your current one yet.
• A teacher, tutor or lecturer. Good for students and recent graduates.
• A volunteer coordinator or placement supervisor. Good if you have little paid work.
• A client or senior colleague. Useful for freelancers, if the employer accepts it.

Avoid family members and friends unless the employer asks for a personal or character reference. Even then, choose someone respected who has known you for a while, such as a community leader or a former teacher.

How to ask someone to be a referee

Ask in person, by phone or by a short email. Be polite and give them an easy way to say no. A simple message works well:

"Hello Amina, I am applying for warehouse supervisor roles and would value a reference from you, as you managed me for three years. Would you be happy to be one of my referees? I will let you know before any employer gets in touch. Thank you."

When they agree, send your CV and the job advert. This helps them mention the skills that matter for the job. Thank them, and tell them how it went once you hear back.

What referees are allowed to say

Rules differ by country. In the UK, GOV.UK explains that an employer does not usually have to give a work reference, but if they do, it must be fair and accurate. A reference can be brief, such as your job title, salary and when you were employed, or it can include details about your performance. Employers must give a reference if there was a written agreement to do so, or if they are in a regulated industry, like financial services.

Many organisations only confirm dates and job title as a policy. That is normal and does not mean anything bad. If your past employer gives only basic references, choose a second referee who can talk about your skills, such as a former supervisor who has since moved on.

Special references for some jobs

Some jobs ask more detailed questions. For example, the Department for Education in England published an early years employment reference template in August 2025. It asks about the person's role, safeguarding history and suitability to work with children. Jobs in care, education, finance and security often ask for specific references and checks, so read the advert and the application pack carefully and choose referees who can answer those questions.

References for students and first jobs

If you have never had a job, you can still give strong references. Ask a teacher, a tutor, a coach, a volunteer leader or a supervisor from work experience. Choose people who saw you work hard, keep to time and get along with others. A short reference from a teacher who knows you well is often more useful than one from a well known person who barely knows you.

Character references

A character reference talks about you as a person rather than your work. It may be asked for a first job, a volunteering role or some housing and training applications. A good character referee is someone respected who has known you for at least a few years and is not related to you. Give them a short note on what the reference is for, so they can write something relevant.

Common mistakes with CV references

• Listing referees who have not agreed.
• Putting private phone numbers and addresses on a CV you send widely.
• Using old contact details.
• Choosing a friend or family member for a work reference.
• Forgetting to warn referees that a call may come.
• Giving a referee who might not speak well of you.
• Writing a long reference section that wastes space better used for skills.

How long before employers contact referees?

It varies. Some employers contact referees before the interview, but many wait until they make an offer, often a conditional offer that depends on good references and other checks. If you do not want your current employer contacted before an offer, say so politely on the application form or to the recruiter. Most employers will respect this request.

What to do if you cannot get a reference

Sometimes a past employer has closed, a manager has left or you left on bad terms. Do not panic. Offer other referees who saw your work, such as a former supervisor, a colleague senior to you or a client. Keep payslips, contracts or a letter confirming your dates of work as extra proof. GOV.UK also points to guidance from ACAS on what to do if you cannot get a reference. Be honest with the employer about the situation and show them what proof you have.

Keeping your referees ready

Treat your referees as part of your network. Stay in touch, tell them about your progress and update them when you change jobs. A quick message every few months keeps the relationship warm, so they are happy to help when an employer calls. When you get a new job, thank them again. It is a small step that makes a big difference next time.

A simple checklist

1. Pick two referees who know your recent work.
2. Ask each one and get a clear yes.
3. Check their job title, organisation, email and phone number.
4. Decide if your CV needs a references line for this country.
5. Save a separate reference list in the same style as your CV.
6. Send your referees your CV and the job advert.
7. Thank them and share the result.

Should references go on one page or two?

Keep your CV focused on your skills and results, usually one or two pages. Your reference list is a separate document of one page or less. That way your CV stays short, and the people who help you keep their contact details private until an employer really needs them.

References and data privacy

A referee's name, phone number and email are personal data. When you send a CV to many employers, job boards or agencies, those details can end up stored in many places. This is one more reason the National Careers Service advises keeping other people's contact details off your CV. Share them only with an employer who is close to an offer, and only after your referee agrees. If a referee changes their mind, remove them from your list straight away.

What a good reference usually covers

Knowing what a referee may be asked helps you choose the right person. Common questions include the dates you worked there, your job title, your main duties, your attendance, how you worked with others, your strengths and whether they would employ you again. Some forms also ask about any concerns the employer should know about. If you think a past employer will only confirm dates, pair them with a second referee who can speak about how you work.

References for international and remote jobs

If you apply abroad or for a remote role with a company in another country, your referees may be called from overseas or contacted only by email. Tell them this may happen and check the time zone, so a call does not reach them at night. If a referee does not speak the language of the employer, say so on your reference list and offer an email address instead, because written questions are easier to answer. Some international employers use online reference forms, so ask your referees to watch for an email from a company they do not know.

When your referee works in a different country from the employer, add the country to their details and write their phone number in full international format, with the plus sign and country code. Small details like these make it easy for a busy recruiter to reach them first time.

A short message to send before the call

Once an employer asks for references, send each referee a short update. It helps them give a clear and relevant reference. For example:

"Hello Amina, good news: I have reached the final stage for a warehouse supervisor role at Westbridge Foods. They may contact you this week. The role focuses on team leading, stock accuracy and health and safety, which we worked on together. Thank you again for your help."

This is a small step, but it turns a general reference into a strong one, because your referee knows what the employer cares about.

Academic and graduate references

Universities, research jobs and many graduate schemes often ask for academic references. Choose a lecturer, supervisor or tutor who taught you recently and knows your work, such as a project or dissertation supervisor. Give them plenty of notice, often a few weeks, because academic staff receive many requests. Send your CV, a short note on the course or job and the deadline. If they must upload a letter to a portal, check that they received the request email.

Make the most of your CV

Once you know how to write a CV reference section, check that the rest of your CV supports it.

References confirm what your CV says, so the CV must be accurate first. Make sure dates, job titles and duties match what your referees will remember. If your title changed during a job, list both. If you worked part time or on a contract, say so. A clean, honest CV and two well prepared referees make the last step of hiring quick and easy.

The CV builder lets you create a CV and a matching reference page in the same clean layout, ready to send when an employer asks.

Final tip

Think of references as the last piece of evidence. Your CV makes a claim, the interview tests it and the referee confirms it. When all three tell the same story, employers can say yes with confidence. Spend ten minutes now choosing and asking your referees, and you will not be caught out when a great offer arrives.

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Right now there are 150,841 open jobs on Dev Global Jobs (live count, 30 October 2026). Build your CV in the CV builder, line up your referees, and apply with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. How to write a CV, National Careers Service (UK). Accessed 3 October 2026.
2. Resumes, MIT Career Advising and Professional Development. Accessed 3 October 2026.
3. References: your rights, GOV.UK. Accessed 3 October 2026.
4. Early years employment reference template, Department for Education, GOV.UK. Accessed 3 October 2026.
5. Create your Europass CV, Europass, European Union. Accessed 3 October 2026.

Source: Dev Global Jobs, updated 30 October 2026.