References in a CV: When do you put them and how do you choose them?

The end of the era of (references available upon request)

In the past, writing the phrase “References available upon request” at the end of a CV was mandatory. Today in 2026, this is a waste of precious space on a CV! It's pretty obvious that you will provide references if the company asks for them, so don't waste an entire line mentioning something that goes without saying.

Should you include references' names and numbers?

The short answer: No. Detailed answer: Do not put contact information for anyone (former manager, university doctor) in the general CV that you publish or send to companies. This puts their privacy at risk, and they may be contacted annoyingly. When do you submit it then? Only in the final stages of the interviews, and when the Human Resources (HR) department formally asks you to do so via email as part of the (Background Check) process.

How do you choose references (identifiers)?

• Choose a former direct manager who knows the quality of your work accurately.
• Avoid adding relatives or friends as a professional reference.
• The most important: Always contact them in advance to ask for their permission. To alert them that a certain company will contact them soon to ask about you.