Learn how to list referee on resume. Effectively list current supervisor, academic advisor, professional colleague, project manager/team lead, character reference (if applicable) with best practices and real-world examples.
In most cases, it is not necessary to list your references directly on your resume, especially in countries like the United States where it is more common for applicants to provide them separately upon request during the hiring process. This is because potential employers often prefer to contact references after an interview, giving you an opportunity to explain why they are suitable for the position and ensuring that the timing of reference checks aligns with the interview process. However, in some countries or industries where providing references upfront is more common, such as the United Kingdom, it may be acceptable to include them on your resume.
In some circumstances, listing your references can add value to your application:
If you decide to include your references on your resume, here are some options:
References
Name: [John Doe] Position: [Director, XYZ Corporation] Contact Information: [john.doe@xyzcorp.com | (123) 456-7890]
Name: [Jane Smith] Position: [Manager, ABC Ltd.] Contact Information: [jane.smith@abcltd.com | (987) 654-3210]
Contact Information [Your Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [LinkedIn Profile URL]
References will be provided upon request during the interview process.
Position the Character Reference section appropriately: Place the Character Reference section at the end of your resume, after your Work Experience, Education, and Skills sections. This is because it's less crucial than these other sections in demonstrating your qualifications for a job.
Label the section clearly: Title this section as "Character References" or "References - Character" to make it easy for hiring managers to find.
Include relevant details: For each reference, list their full name, contact information (email and phone number), and your relationship with them. If possible, include how long you have known the referee and in what capacity they know you.
Limit the number of references: Aim to list 3-5 character references on your resume. More than that may seem excessive, while fewer might not provide enough evidence of your character.
Obtain permission: Always ask for permission before listing someone as a character reference. They should be aware that their name and contact information will appear on your resume and may be contacted by potential employers.
In the context of seeking a position as a referee for a youth sports team, you might list character references to showcase your trustworthiness and commitment to the well-being of children. Here's an example:
Character References
When applying to be a referee for a professional sports league, you may want to include character references from individuals who can speak to your integrity, fairness, and understanding of the rules. Here's an example:
Character References
Highlight Achievements: Quantify your achievements in terms of project timelines, budgets, team size, or any key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the role. For example, "Managed a team of 10 software developers to complete a complex system integration project 20% under budget and ahead of schedule."
Specify Project Scope: Clearly outline the scope of each project you've managed, including its objectives, challenges, and the methods you employed to successfully execute it. For instance, "Led a cross-functional team in the design, development, and deployment of a new CRM system for a Fortune 500 company."
Emphasize Leadership Skills: Showcase your leadership abilities by detailing how you motivated and mentored your team members, fostered collaboration, and resolved conflicts effectively. For example, "Developed and implemented training programs to upskill junior team members, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity."
Use Action Verbs: Begin each bullet point with an action verb to create a dynamic and engaging resume. Verbs such as "managed," "led," "coordinated," "supervised," "delegated," and "monitored" are appropriate for this subcategory.
Include Relevant Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords, especially when applying through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). For example, "Experienced Project Manager with a proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and driving results."
Highlight Relevant Skills: Mention the skills you've shared or developed with your professional colleague that are relevant to the job you're applying for. For instance, if you've collaborated on a project using specific software, be sure to note this.
Example: "Collaborated with [Colleague's Name] on a complex data analysis project using Excel, Power BI, and Tableau. This partnership honed my skills in data interpretation and visualization."
Describe Collaborative Projects: Detail the projects or tasks you undertook together, focusing on achievements and outcomes. Emphasize your role, contributions, and any positive impact made.
Example: "Worked closely with [Colleague's Name] to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for our previous company. Our efforts resulted in a 20% increase in sales leads over a six-month period."
Highlight Professional Relationship: Indicate the nature of your professional relationship and the length of time you've worked together. This can help establish credibility and continuity, particularly if you're listing multiple colleagues.
Example: "Worked alongside [Colleague's Name] for three years in the marketing department at XYZ Company."
Use a Clear Label: Use a clear label like "Professional Colleagues" or "Collaborative Partners" to make it easy for recruiters to understand the context of your listing.
Example: "Professional Colleagues:"
Include Contact Information for the Referees: If you are asked to provide a referee, include their name, job title, company, email address, and phone number. This allows potential employers to reach out directly for a reference check.
Example: "Referee: [Colleague's Name], Marketing Manager at XYZ Company - Email: colleague@xyzcompany.com; Phone: (555) 123-4567"
If you're asked to provide a referee, you can include professional colleagues as references if they are familiar with your work and can speak positively about your skills and abilities.
Example: Professional Colleagues:
If you're not asked to provide a referee but still want to include professional colleagues, list them as part of your professional network or collaborative partners. This can help demonstrate your ability to work effectively with others.
Example: Professional Network:
Highlight Relevant Duties and Achievements: Start by outlining your primary responsibilities as an academic advisor, focusing on areas such as guiding students through their academic journeys, providing counseling, and ensuring timely degree completion. Additionally, mention any notable achievements like increased student retention rates or successful implementation of new academic policies.
Detail the Number of Advisees: Mention the approximate number of students you advised during your tenure as an academic advisor, emphasizing any significant responsibilities or challenges associated with managing such a large group.
Emphasize Soft Skills: Academic advising requires excellent communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Highlight these abilities by providing examples where you successfully addressed student concerns or facilitated effective dialogue between students and faculty members.
Mention any Specializations: If you have experience in advising students within specific academic fields or programs, make sure to mention those specializations to showcase your subject matter expertise.
Include Any Relevant Technologies: Mention any software or tools that you have used to streamline your work as an academic advisor, demonstrating proficiency in using technology to improve efficiency and service quality.
When listing an academic advisor position on a resume that includes a referee, emphasize your ability to work collaboratively with faculty members and other campus resources to support students' academic success. For example:
Referee: Dr. Jane Doe, Dean of Students, University of Technology (jane.doe@university.edu)
In a resume that includes a referee, describe the impact you've made as an academic advisor and how your work has positively influenced students' lives. For example:
Referee: Dr. John Smith, Associate Provost for Student Success, State University (john.smith@stateuniversity.edu)
Include Name and Title: Start with the full name of your current supervisor followed by their title (e.g., John Doe, Department Head). This gives context and shows professionalism.
Company Name and Contact Information: Provide the name of the company where they work, along with their work email address or phone number (if appropriate), to help potential employers reach out for references.
Duration and Position Relationship: Mention your current position in relation to the supervisor (e.g., Current Employee) and the duration of your tenure under their leadership.
Achievements and Responsibilities: Highlight key achievements and responsibilities under their supervision to demonstrate your abilities and potential contributions in a new role. Use actionable verbs and quantifiable results where possible.
Available as a Reference: Clearly state that you are willing to serve as a reference if requested by potential employers. This shows professionalism and openness.
In this example, the applicant is applying for a managerial position and wants to emphasize their current supervisor's support for their leadership potential.
In this example, the applicant is switching careers and wants to show that their current supervisor can vouch for their adaptability and transferable skills.
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