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 targeting.
For example, if you’re a recent graduate applying for entry-level positions, employers may be willing to accept non-professional employers as references, such as professors or mentors. But if you have work experience on your CV, some employers will require you to provide professional references from the industry you work in.