Listing contact information for individuals who can attest to one’s professional skills and experience is a common practice, though typically not included directly within the resume document itself. Instead, a separate document titled “References” is prepared and provided to potential employers upon request. This document typically includes three to five contacts with their names, titles, organizations, phone numbers, and email addresses. A candidate might also provide a brief description of their relationship with each reference (e.g., “Former Supervisor,” “Project Lead”). Offering a diverse range of contacts who can speak to different aspects of one’s abilities can provide a more comprehensive picture for the hiring manager.
Maintaining a readily available list of professional references streamlines the hiring process. Having these contacts prepared demonstrates professionalism and foresight, allowing recruiters to quickly verify qualifications and gain valuable insights. This practice has evolved over time; while previously references might have been included directly on resumes, space constraints and the need for a more streamlined application process have led to the current standard of providing them separately upon request. Strong references can significantly bolster a candidacy, offering third-party validation of skills and experience claimed on the resume.
