Why You Should Not Include Referees on Your CV

For many years it was standard practice to list referees - often with full contact details - at the bottom of a CV.

Today, however, that approach is considered unnecessary.

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‍1. Protects Your Referees’ Privacy

When you submit a CV, you rarely know how widely it will circulate. It may be reviewed by HR teams, hiring managers, recruiters and sometimes external partners.

Listing your referees’ phone numbers and email addresses exposes their personal information to people they haven’t agreed to hear from.

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2. Keeps Control of the Process

Providing referees too early removes your ability to control when they are contacted. Employers may reach out before you’ve even had an interview, which can create awkward situations - particularly if your current employer is listed as a referee and does not yet know you are exploring new opportunities.

Most reputable organisations only contact referees once a candidate is shortlisted or nearing an offer stage.

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3. Keeps Your CV Focused on What Matters

A CV should highlight your skills, achievements and experience.

Referee details take up valuable space that could be used to showcase measurable results, leadership experience, strategic focus or key accomplishments.

In competitive recruitment processes, clarity and impact matter.

Every line of your CV should work to strengthen your case as the best candidate.

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4. Referees May Change or Be Unavailable

People move roles, change email addresses or leave organisations.

If referee details are embedded in your CV, they can quickly become outdated.

In addition, a listed referee may be unavailable/overseas when needed - knowing this and being able to adapt (arranging an alternative referee or a Teams/WhatsApp call will show you are in control).

Advising your referee he/she will be contacted by a recruiter/hiring manager is a professional courtesy - it may also be useful to provide a copy of the briefing document so he/she is aware of the important elements of the position and be able to speak to those.

By providing referees only when requested, you ensure the information is accurate and current.

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5. It Signals Professional Awareness

Modern hiring practices assume referees will be provided later in the process.

There are occasions when employers request specific referees in addition to someone you reported to: e.g. someone who reported to you, someone who worked alongside you on a particular project.

Leaving assumed relevant referee names off your CV shows you understand current recruitment norms and demonstrates a thoughtful, strategic approach to your job search.

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The Best Practice

Instead of listing referee details, simply include a short line at the end of your CV such as:

“Referees available upon request.”

This reassures employers that references exist, while keeping your CV streamlined and professional, protecting those who have agreed to support your application process.

Your CV is a marketing document - not a complete employment record.

Its job is to secure the interview.

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Referees play an important role in the hiring process, but the right time to introduce them is later in the recruitment journey, when both you and the employer are ready to move forward.

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Keeping referee details off your CV protects your network, strengthens your document and reflects modern professional practice.

Morton Philips – 08 8210 8510– operations@mortonphilips.com.au