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.
