Improving Your CV, Chapter 21: Including a References section

Part of Course 1: Improving your CV · Chapter 21 of 29 · 7 min

About this chapter

"References available on request" adds nothing; of course they are. I explain why references are usually a later-stage matter, and why LinkedIn recommendations can help.

Key points

• I've never seen a CV rejected because of its references section, so use that space for something else.
• Companies will ask for references at offer stage, often subject to checks, so you don't need to put them up front.
• Many employers will only confirm your dates and job title, which is why headhunters often speak to people they know instead.
• LinkedIn recommendations from colleagues can serve as informal references and are worth asking for.

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