Should You Put References on a CV? What to Do Instead

You have finished describing your experience, but one question is still taking up space: should you include references on a CV? You may have an old template with referee details at the bottom, or worry that leaving them out makes your application look incomplete. For most UK job applications, you can leave references off unless the employer specifically asks for them. This guide explains the exceptions, what to put in that space instead and how to prepare your referees without sharing their contact details too early. You will also find practical wording for awkward situations, including a confidential job search.

Should you include references on a CV?

Usually, no. Your CV helps an employer decide whether your experience and skills deserve a closer look. References serve a different purpose: they allow the employer to check aspects of your employment or suitability when required by its recruitment process.

Keeping these documents separate gives you more room to show relevant work. It also avoids distributing someone else's phone number and email address with every application.

This is a practical default, not a universal rule. Always read the vacancy advert, application form and recruiter instructions before deciding what to submit.

Application situation	Practical approach
The advert asks for a CV but says nothing about references	Leave referee details off your CV
The application form has a mandatory references section	Complete that section according to the instructions
The employer specifically requests references within your CV	Include them with your referees' permission
The recruiter requests references separately	Send a separate reference sheet through the agreed channel
You are submitting an academic or specialist application	Check the institution's requirements rather than assuming standard CV conventions apply

What about “References available on request”?

You can normally omit this line too. It does not demonstrate your suitability, and an employer can ask for references without an invitation on your CV.

Keeping it is not a major mistake. But if your document feels crowded, it is an easy line to remove before cutting evidence of relevant skills or achievements.

What to put in the space instead

Removing references should make your CV more useful, not simply shorter. Use the recovered space for evidence that helps the reader understand why you fit the vacancy.

Start with the job description. Look for a requirement you genuinely meet but have not yet demonstrated clearly: coordinating schedules, supporting customers, using a particular system or handling competing deadlines.

For example, imagine an administrator applying for an operations coordinator role. Their CV ends with two referees and several lines of contact details, while their experience section says only, “Responsible for office administration.”

A stronger use of that space might be:

Coordinated meeting schedules across the sales and operations teams, maintained shared action logs and followed up outstanding tasks before weekly reviews.

This illustrative replacement explains the work without inventing revenue figures or performance claims. The applicant should use it only if it accurately reflects their experience.

Other useful additions include a relevant project, a qualification requested in the advert or a clearer description of a recent role. Do not fill the space with generic phrases such as “excellent team player”.

If your bullets feel vague, use the guide to writing achievements on a CV without inventing numbers. If the opening needs attention, the guide to writing a CV personal statement can help you explain your fit more directly.

How to prepare a separate reference sheet

A reference sheet is a simple document you can provide when requested. It does not need elaborate design: clear headings and accurate contact information matter more than visual polish.

Use your name and contact details at the top, followed by an entry for each agreed referee. Match the general style of your CV so the documents look consistent.

Reference sheet template

[Your full name] — Professional references
[Your email address] | [Your phone number]

[Referee's full name]
[Current job title and organisation]
Relationship: [For example, former line manager at organisation, dates]
Email: [Approved professional email address]
Phone: [Approved number, if required]

Explain the working relationship if your referee has changed jobs. Their current title alone may not show how they know you.

Supply the number of references requested rather than assuming every employer needs the same number. If no number is given, ask what is required before sending a long list.

Before sharing the document:

1. Ask each person whether they are willing to act as a referee.
2. Confirm which contact details they want you to use.
3. Check their current title and your shared employment dates.
4. Tell them about the role and likely timing of contact.
5. Send the sheet only to the intended recruiter or employer.

Avoid adding reference sheets to public portfolios or open-access CV links. There is rarely a good reason to make your referees' contact details publicly searchable.

Choosing referees and handling awkward situations

A useful referee knows your work well enough to give an accurate account. Seniority alone is not a reason to choose someone who barely remembers working with you.

A former line manager, project supervisor or appropriate client may be suitable, depending on the employer's requirements. Some organisations provide references only through HR, so check the relevant process before listing an individual.

You have not told your current employer you are leaving

Do not assume the recruiter will know your search is confidential. State your preference clearly before providing your current manager's details.

You could write:

My current employer is not aware of my job search. Please do not contact them without my prior agreement. I can provide a previous employer reference in the meantime, if that meets your requirements.

Ask whether their process allows current-employer checks later. If an application requires those details immediately, clarify the contact arrangements before submitting rather than entering false information.

You have little or no paid work experience

Depending on the vacancy, an employer may accept a tutor, placement supervisor or volunteer coordinator. Ask first: a character reference is not automatically a substitute for an employment reference.

Choose someone who can discuss relevant behaviour, such as reliability, communication or completing agreed tasks. Do not invent a managerial relationship or list a friend as a professional supervisor.

You freelance or your former manager has moved on

For freelancers, a client who directly reviewed your work may be a useful referee if the prospective employer accepts client references. Explain the relationship accurately as “client” rather than “manager”.

If a former manager has left the business, check whether the employer wants verification through the organisation's HR team instead. The person who can describe your work and the department that verifies your employment may be different.

Asking someone to be your referee

Keep the request specific and give them room to decline:

Hello [Name], I'm applying for [type of role] and wondered whether you would be comfortable providing a reference about our work together at [organisation]. If so, which contact details should I share? I can send the job description and let you know before contact is expected.

A reference should reflect their honest assessment. Provide useful context, but do not ask them to support inflated titles or achievements.

Where Pitanga Labs fits

Once you remove unnecessary reference details, the next task is making the remaining CV stronger. That can be harder than deleting a section, especially when you have several roles to organise or an outdated layout.

The Pitanga Labs AI CV Writer creates an ATS-ready CV in Word and offers ten recruiter-tested templates. It can help you turn your career information into a structured draft that you can review and edit before applying.

Keep the tasks separate: use your own work history to build the CV, and maintain referee details in a separate document unless the application says otherwise. You do not need to include other people's contact information simply to explain your experience.

Review every generated sentence for accuracy. Check job titles, dates, qualifications and achievement claims, then make sure the final document follows the employer's instructions. A clearer layout supports your application; it cannot guarantee an interview.

Conclusion

For most UK applications, leave references off your CV unless the employer asks for them. Use the space to demonstrate relevant experience, and keep an accurate, permission-based reference sheet ready for the appropriate stage. Before your next application, remove unnecessary referee details, strengthen one vague experience bullet and contact the people you would like to nominate. If your CV needs a fuller refresh, try the Pitanga Labs AI CV Writer, then review the draft against both your real experience and the vacancy requirements.

FAQ

Should I put “References available on request” on my CV?

Usually, you can leave it out. The employer can request references regardless, and the space is better used for relevant experience. Include it only if you have a specific reason or the application instructions require it.

Can I use a reference without asking first?

Ask permission before sharing someone's details. Confirm that they are willing to respond and agree which contact information to provide. This also gives them time to recall your work and understand the role.

Do references have to be from my current employer?

Not always. Requirements vary, and a previous manager or another suitable professional contact may be accepted. If your search is confidential, discuss contact timing with the recruiter before supplying your current employer's details.