CV Genius

CV Genius

The World's Smartest CV Builder

Job Search Questions & Answers from the Experts at CV Genius

Who can be a reference on a CV?

Here’s who can be a reference on a CV:

  • Previous and current employers
  • Colleagues and business partners
  • Teachers and professors
  • Trainers, mentors, and coaches
  • Academic supervisors

You can list 3–5 individuals as references on a CV. These people should be professionals in their field, have had a working relationship with you, and understand your character and work ethic.

Your references will differ depending on your employer’s preferences and the industry you’re applying to.

For example, if you’re a recent graduate applying for entry-level positions, employers may be more flexible with accepting non-professional employers as references, such as professors or mentors. However, if you’re applying for industry-specific roles, like tech, some employers will require you to only provide professional references from the tech industry.

Boost your resume with an excellent skills section.

Now that you know who your references are, prove that you have the qualifications your references will talk about by including your best and most relevant skills in your CV skills section.