References on CV

x_Ellie_x

How important is it to list references on my CV? I have 'references available on request' written on it. Are employers more likely to disregard CV's with this written on it? Or is it better to have a list of references with contact detail on the CV itself? And how many references should you have?

The problem I have is that I don't have a lot of references due to the fact that the last 3 companies I've worked for have shut down. I have the personal mobile number for the M.D. of the last company I worked for (worked there over 7 years) but she's asked me not to put it on my CV but to only give it away when I'm at an interview. I don't have any contact details for anyone in the other two companies I worked for.

mikemac

references available on request is perfect

You wait for them to ask for the references. Otherwise your past boss could be getting calls about you before they even decide to select you.

And if you send that CV to an agency, they'll call up that manager and hassle them to get contacts and leads from them

Jimoslimos

Hmmm....tough one this. Personally i don't put reference details on my CV. The way I see it is its somebody else's personal details, and as I fire off quite a few CVs into the public domain I'd feel uncomfortable with the responsibility of releasing their personal data out there - fine if its my own.

Most employers request it when successful, after interview stage - and this suits both parties. Cuts down on them making time-consuming ref checks on every single applicant. From my viewpoint I've met them and feel a little more comfortable sharing my referee's details.

x_Ellie_x

I wasn't going to put her mobile number on my CV. I was only saying why I can't.


But does it matter that I only have 1 good reference?

mikemac

Yes people understand

Like I worked in my job for over five years and tbh, I've forgotten the surname of my manager in the job before that.
And he wouldn't remember me anyway

So one reference is grand, it's very common and the fact you stayed in a job for seven years explains it for you

Eoin

Did you work day to day with the MD? If not, it might be no harm to have a second referee from the same company that you did work with on a daily basis.

I've never been asked for references before an offer was made. I'd be slow to give them out at interview stage if I was job hunting, and certainly wouldn't request them from a candidate.

x_Ellie_x

Yes. I worked with her everyday and we got on quite well.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

crotalus667

In health care it is now mandotory to have 2 refferences so i uncluded them on my cv. I think you should allways have at least two, alot of people i know have been asked if it was ok to contact the names on their cv by the hr manager after a job offer was made

Mr. Loverman

I see a lot of CVs every day.

In my experience the more educated/skilled applicants have "References available on request" on their CV, whereas the people who list their references tend to be applying for low paid or "unskilled" jobs.

This is just my observation, I'm not trying to imply anything.