Adams & Garth Blog

Obviously, if a potential employer asks for references along with your resume, then you should submit those references. But what if they don’t ask for references? Should you submit them anyway?

Some experts say yes, while others say no. As a Central Virginia employment agency, we recommend including a reference page along with your resume. After all, if you have strong references, it certainly can’t hurt, whether they’ve been requested or not.

But don’t just haphazardly place references anywhere on your resume. Be sure to include a separate reference page, along with your cover letter and resume. Why? Reference pages have been found to be more effective than including references on your resume.

Here are some tips for creating a reference page:

• Determine whom you want to use as a reference. These should not be friends and family members; they should be colleagues, former co-workers, and managers. Include at least three professional references.

• In addition to professional references, you may also want to include a couple personal references. Again, these should not be your mom and your spouse. Personal references are people you have sat on community boards with, volunteered with, or gotten to know through an industry association.

• Now that you have your list of references figured out, get in touch with each to make sure it’s ok to include them on your references page. Inform them that potential employers will be contacting them to discuss your background, so they are prepared.

• The final step is to create a separate document for your references. Make sure you include each reference’s name, company, job title, phone number, and address. Also include in what capacity you worked with them in the past – i.e. Supervisor for three years, etc…

• Also, make sure you put your strongest references first in case the interviewer only has time to contact one or two.

If you’re searching for a new job opportunity in Central Virginia and you need help creating a resume or reference page, contact Adams & Garth. As a premier employment agency serving the Central Virginia region, we can help you create a resume that gets results and also give you access to a variety of job opportunities. Contact us today to learn more.