Resume: Include References or Not?

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1

So whenever I see resumes examples online they always say " References available upon request". In the past I have always included references right on the resume with all the names and phone numbers. My thinking behind this has been that if a manager is looking through a big pile of resumes and sees one with the references right there then this obviously saves him the time of phoning you up to get them, therefor, granted everything else is in order, increases the probability of a response.

Resume experts always talk about conveying all the information in as little space and as few words as possible. They say not to use prose but point form bullets, no irrelevant interests etc… With all this in mind why not skip a step and give them the references right away? To not do so seems totally out of alignment with everything else!

What am I missing here ? Can and should I put reference numbers on my resume?

Thanks, Travis.

2

Do not put references on your resume. Always indicate “available upon request”. You should strive to keep your resume at a maximum of one page for most fields.

I’ve read heaps upon heaps of resumes, so I have a few pointers on actually getting yours read if you’re interested:

-Don’t make it a chronological summary of your life. Nobody reading it cares. Mention 2-3 relevant positions (volunteer or otherwise) you’ve held, and no more.

-Don’t just list your job duties. Spice them up a bit, while keeping them truthful. Example: “I helped customers” is bad. “Responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction by assisting with purchases and questions” is better.

-Tailor each resume to each position you’re applying for. “Cookie cutter” resumes where the company name is the only thing changed typically get tossed out.

-Avoid corporate-speak. “Able to diversify synergy and synergize diversity in a challening position offering growth potential” doesn’t really mean anything.

-Don’t get any fancy coloured paper, but buy the really expensive stuff in cream/off-white colour. I forget the name of it at the moment, but it’s usually 25 bucks for 50 sheets and each one has a watermark. These tend to get read.

-If you can, find out the name of a contact in HR, and address it to him/her rather than writing “HR Department” on the envelope, if you’re mailing it.

Good luck

3

Don’t bother with the references, most place don’t even check them, I’ve only been asked once maybe twice.
Another tip I keep hearing over and over is to include a job specific cover letter. In 2008 I was out of work couldn’t get a call back, sent in a resume with a cover letter and ended up getting the job. Not sure the cover letter actually helped but I did get a call back.
Good luck to you.

4

[quote]PimpBot5000 wrote:
“Able to diversify synergy and synergize diversity in a challening position offering growth potential” doesn’t really mean anything.

[/quote]

M-tech supplement?

5

Heed the above advice. When I started adding an aggressive objective statement directly tailored towards companies I received many more responses. Keep a nice clean format in terms of positions, spacing, dates etc. Write your cover letters well. Always send thank yous.

6

[quote]PimpBot5000 wrote:
Do not put references on your resume. Always indicate “available upon request”. You should strive to keep your resume at a maximum of one page for most fields.

-Don’t make it a chronological summary of your life. Nobody reading it cares. Mention 2-3 relevant positions (volunteer or otherwise) you’ve held, and no more.

-Don’t get any fancy coloured paper, but buy the really expensive stuff in cream/off-white colour. I forget the name of it at the moment, but it’s usually 25 bucks for 50 sheets and each one has a watermark. These tend to get read.
[/quote]

-One page max if you are just starting out. As you gain more relative experience it is OK to go over.

-I have to disagree with only 2-3 relevant positions. It is important to include others if they have no relevance other than that you were working. If you’re in school, let an employer know you’ve held a summer job for the last 4 years even if it was just washing dishes.

-The paper is called resume paper. :wink:

7

I also agree with going over one page if your experience supports it. I’d rather see two legible pages that tell me what someone has done than a single page that hurts to read. Last year I was straining to keep it to one page until a recruiter friend set me straight. My interview rate doubled.

I reject people immediately for typos.

I think “references available upon request” isn’t even necessary. Everyone has references on request. Have references on a separate nice sheet of your letterhead and bring it to the interview. No one is going to check references before they meet you, it’s a waste of time.

8

No need to include them on the resume.

9

I think references are retarded to begin with. Who would really give a bad reference?

Besides, you (generally, depending on experience) only have 1 page to display how fucking great you are to this employer and you want to waste space with references?

10

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Who would really give a bad reference?
[/quote]

You’d be surprised how many people are used as a reference and feel blind-sided when asked about someone they barely know. That seems to be more what checking references is all about to me.

11

[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
I also agree with going over one page if your experience supports it. I’d rather see two legible pages that tell me what someone has done than a single page that hurts to read. Last year I was straining to keep it to one page until a recruiter friend set me straight. My interview rate doubled.

I reject people immediately for typos.

I think “references available upon request” isn’t even necessary. Everyone has references on request. Have references on a separate nice sheet of your letterhead and bring it to the interview. No one is going to check references before they meet you, it’s a waste of time. [/quote]

x2 on every point here.

If you have enough space on your resume to provide your references, then you need to flesh out your job accomplishments a little more instead. That would be a much more effective use of the limited space you have to work with.

12

what field are you in? different fields require different resume/cover letter set ups
ex: if youre in finance, use a 1 page resume and try to submit a cover letter also both tailored to the position
one trick is to use key words that are in the description of the job position
if youre still in school, check out career counseling, usually have alot of info and resources to help you out

13

Unless you’re vying for a C-level management position or have several corporate takeovers under your belt, keep your resume to one page. Seriously. You’d be surprised that even the simple act of turning a page can deter someone from reading your resume, but it’s true.

(This obviously doesn’t apply for artistic jobs or anything accompanying a portfolio)

14

[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
I also agree with going over one page if your experience supports it. I’d rather see two legible pages that tell me what someone has done than a single page that hurts to read. Last year I was straining to keep it to one page until a recruiter friend set me straight. My interview rate doubled.
[/quote]

I used to try and keep it to one page in the past. I think that was because most resumes were faxed or mailed in. Now that they’re submitted online it doesn’t make as much of a difference. I’ve interviewed a decent amount of people. I don’t mind more than one page. Some have sent 3 pages, now that’s annoying. I also used to get annoyed with people putting non-related shit on their resume. It’s a tech job, no need to tell you me you’re an Eagle Scout. I don’t give a fuck. I also don’t care if you were a cashier at Pathmark when you were 16.

15

[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
I also agree with going over one page if your experience supports it. I’d rather see two legible pages that tell me what someone has done than a single page that hurts to read. Last year I was straining to keep it to one page until a recruiter friend set me straight. My interview rate doubled.

I reject people immediately for typos.

I think “references available upon request” isn’t even necessary. Everyone has references on request. Have references on a separate nice sheet of your letterhead and bring it to the interview. No one is going to check references before they meet you, it’s a waste of time. [/quote]

This is excellent advice. If you’ve been in a field for any length of time, 1 page is impossible, especially if you have relevant education in addition to work experience. Leave off the references comment.

16

I’m a student, graduated high school in 07. I might try to just copy and past it onto here to get some advice. Thanks for the tips.

17

Travis

Objective â?? To retain a part-time position while attending university.

Work Experience

Sales Associate Sears November 2009 â?? April 2010

 Sales Associate at a Sears store. Worked in the sale of major appliances and electronics.

Assisting and guiding customers through purchase decisions providing honest and articulate answers to questions
Processing purchases and returns, account payments, and warranty claims
Opening and closing the registers, cash handling, organizing and updating signage, inventory, and records
Maintaining a professional appearance representative of the establishment
Distinguishing between different levels of urgency during busy hours and prioritizing tasks
Communication and rapport building with customers
Working successfully in a fast paced stressful environment that demanded efficient multi-tasking

Apprentice Electrician Villa Electric Ltd March 2008 â?? July 2009

1st  year apprentice working at wood frame and steel stud construction sites throughout the Lower Mainland.

Basic circuitry and wire pulling
Framing and piping work â?? reframing trouble areas
Installing heaters, lights, switches, plugs, and dishwashers
Extended periods of intensive focus when working on live circuits
Adaptive problem solving and simple mathematics
Working as part of a team â?? organizing and sequencing tasks and workers for increased productivity

General Labourer Marzstone Contracting September 2007 â?? February 2008

General Labourer involved in hard-landscape. Worked in the installation of paving stone driveways.

Operating the cutting saw and skid-steer
Laying and grading of substrate, installation of paving stones
Adhering to strict safety procedures
Heavy lifting â?? prolonged periods of intense exertion

Education

            Graduated from Brookswood Secondary School 06/07
            Attending Kwantlen Polytechnic University in pursuit of a degree in business administration

References

            Excellent references available from all employers upon request.
18

ok so I just pasted in into the browser and obviously completely lost the formatting. I also removed all my personal information- numbers, address, email etc. Just looking to get some feedback on the content.

Thanks.

19

This is a good thread. After 20yrs of Military Service I will be submitting Resumes this year for the first time. I was a commercial Roofer in NYC before that so I never had to go thru the process.

20

I’ve got to run but something I noted is your lack of proper tense. If you no longer work there use past, if you still work there, present. Also, keep it simple.

ex:
Assisted customers by answering questions about electronic appliances.

And, “References available upon request” works just fine