Why You Should Never List Referees on Your Executive Resume
A natural step in the recruitment process is for employers to verify your employment history and job performance in previous roles before making you a formal offer of employment. Nothing new here.
One of the most overlooked risks we see is including referee details too early in the recruitment process. At Underwood Executive, we advise all executive candidate not to hand over your referees until you’re in final stages of a recruitment process.
Here’s why.
One executive recently shared a concerning story. He listed referees on his resume and a recruiter contacted them, without his knowledge, to conduct reference checks before any client interviews. Worse, the recruiter then invited one of the referees to apply for the same role. The candidate unintentionally created his own competition.
This is not just unprofessional - it risks reputational damage and could undermine your job search.
Protect your referees and your candidacy:
Only provide referees when you’ve had an interview and there's genuine interest
Never include them on your resume
Always call your referee beforehand to provide context & gain their permission
Confirm the best contact number and availability
Make it easy – share their full name, job title, phone, email, LinkedIn profile
Referees are busy executives. Respect their time and only involve them when a job is close to being secured.
Your career deserves the right process. Be strategic. Be in control.