Resume References: The Impact of a Reference Page on Your Job Campaign

When posing the question, “Must I include a reference page on a resume?” you will want to consider the current job market, the state of the world in general, and the fierce competition that you confront in your job search.

After the tragic events of 9/11, employers became more attentive in verifying the data contained on applicants’ resume references pages.  Given the sustained threat of terrorism, this vigilance has continued.  Rest assured that should you apply for a position, the employer will look closely at your resume references and will wish to confirm them.  In healthier economic times, the accepted practice was for a candidate to fill out a job application with the required information, including several references.  Now that the competition has become brutal, a well-prepared reference page on a resume makes the employer’s task a bit easier and enables you to present yourself as a business professional.

For maximum impact, your resume references should appear on a separate page.  In addition to creating a better presentation, this format is more advantageous for you as a job seeker.  If you add your references directly onto your resume, and one or more of your references on a resume change their contact data without informing you, or even pass away (we have seen this happen!), you risk having your information appear obsolete.  Should these events occur, an employer would question the validity of other data concerning your background.  The worst-case scenario would be for the employer to assume that you have falsified information; in such a case, you will never secure an interview.

In presenting your resume references, you will want to provide both professional and personal references.  The rational behind the professional references for a resume is self-explanatory.  The reasoning behind the inclusion of personal resume references is less obvious but no less significant.  Hiring decisions often hinge upon gut feelings.  If two candidates with similar skill sets are in the final stretch of the race, it may be an enthusiastic comment from a personal reference that calls the winner.

Being recruiters as well as career consultants, we have encountered many situations in which a personal recommendation has made the difference in a hiring determination.  Consider the impact of the following real-life recommendation: “Regina was a God-send after I lost half of my house to a fire.  She anticipated my needs and provided for them; I never had to ask her for anything.  I would hate to have another emergency like the fire, but if I did, I know I could count on Regina.  There aren’t a lot of people nowadays that you can really count on, you know.”  A heartfelt testimony such as this tells the employer that the applicant is proactive, a resourceful problem solver, a team member, and reliable: all highly desirable qualities in a potential employee.

Do not, therefore, underestimate the criticality of references for a resume; rather, honor it.