Updating CV - should references be "on request"?

Soldato
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Hallo all :)

Well Im fed up of my bum job and wanna start sending out the CV. Im not sure what to put down in the References section though. I can give all my references but what about my current boss :confused:

Should I leave it as "On request" . Or do I ask the boss if I can use his name as a reference cuz Im applying.

I guess Im asking if its a bad idea to put "on request" down...do those CVs just get binned cuz they might think "hes not upfront with the references".

Confused lol :rolleyes:
 
As above, let them ask if they can contact a referee. It shows interest, and gives you time to inform your chosen person what to say about you. Get them to give a reference that suits the job that you apply for, instead of a generic reply.

Paul
 
frakker said:
My CV has them on request. I don't like the idea of giving out other folks info willy-nilly, plus they can ask me for it if they're remotely interested!

Don't give your CV out willy-nilly then?

Maybe I've got the wrong idea, but my referee's are happily sat on my CV awaiting phone calls. I simply asked them wether it would be ok to use their names, then added them to the CV.

I'm confused by this topic, I think I really have the wrong idea...
 
I have the name and address of two people on my CV, with the phone numbers as 'On Request', both people are happy to be on there and have given their premission. I also have a sentence stating other professional and personal references available on request.
 
Always put "on request"

Employers dont need to know who your references are until they offer you the job.

Another tip. If you use friends reunited, make sure that there isnt anything toooo contraversial on there. I personally have changed my mind about a candidate after reading what he wrote on his friends reunited page. He interviewed so well, almost too good. Turns out that on his FR page, he boatsed about defrauding an employer while he was at school (he was 19 when we interviewed him, and the boast was when he was in 6th form, so was quite recent!)

You have been warned!
 
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benktlottie said:
Employers dont need to know who your references are until they offer you the job.

Not necessarily the case. In the industry I'm in, it's standard practice for potential employers to both credit check the potential employee and get references as part of the decision making process *before* making an offer.
 
Don't know if it's helpful but i always put something a little bit wacky or interesting on the CV, still relevant but a bit "out of the norm". It gives the employer something to talk with you about during the interview should you get that far.

Before i got the job i have now i found that most candidates for degree level technical jobs are far too straight edged, you need something to stand out. Sometimes it would just be a "I love what i do!", sometimes it would be more specific.

Obviously you have to complete the daft HR style questions and basic details but a little quirk seems to do well. My references were always on request in a CV, some employers ask for them specifically at the second or third sift stage to complete developed vetting etc...
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone, its really helped. I shall leave them on as request. As u lot said - if they wanna know who the referees are they can contact me first!

Thae hardest part for me is keeping the dang CV short, I need to cut it down to 2 pages, right now its like 4 :( Far too long and will get binned in 5 seconds!
 
My Cv is laid out like this:

Personal details - Nationality, DOB, address, NI no, phone number and email address.
Education and qualifications - self explanitory.
Employment (last 3 jobs/ 3 most relevant jobs). This stems over page 1 and page two. Each job has a couple of bullet points describing my role.
Interests - takes no more than three lines.
 
Is there any need to waste a line saying 'referees available on request'? Surely its common sense that if they should wish to contact a referee, they'd just ask you? :confused:
 
Is there any need to waste a line saying 'referees available on request'? Surely its common sense that if they should wish to contact a referee, they'd just ask you?

Thats very true come to think of it!

At least Im not as bad as some of my mates who put in big bold letters on the first page:

Curriculum Vitae

*Doh* :D
 
I have references on the bottom of mine with a phone number, email and postal address for the referencee. I always felt it looked much more professional to have the name, with title (especially if its a respected company) of your previous bosses, tutors etc on the bottom.

It shows you have thought about a job and made an effort. I think 'References available on request' means that as soon as they need them, you phone someone up to be a reference. I know quite a few people who have been asked for references and have them rang up mates and asked them to pretend to be Managers of various companies and praise them.
 
KatanaDV20 said:
Thats very true come to think of it!

At least Im not as bad as some of my mates who put in big bold letters on the first page:

Curriculum Vitae

*Doh* :D

Problem is, schools teach kids to put that in bold ! Those kids them carry it into later life! LOL
 
$loth said:
I put Curriculum Vitae as my header.

Do you think your potential future employer wont know what it is he's looking at? :\ It's not a great start to patronise your potential employer in the first two words of your CV!!

Nexus said:
I have references on the bottom of mine with a phone number, email and postal address for the referencee. I always felt it looked much more professional to have the name, with title (especially if its a respected company) of your previous bosses, tutors etc on the bottom.

True, but at my stage i'd rather use the space to tell them about myself, or explain my experience a bit more. Plus you already have those company names in your work experience dont you? :)
 
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