Many South Africans are rushing to update their CVs after the latest advice from SETAs. You might wonder whether you should put references on your CV or wait until you are asked.
What you need to know about CV references
A reference is a person who can confirm your work experience, skills, character and reliability. Employers usually call references in the final stage of recruitment to check that the details on your CV are correct.
Typical questions during a reference check
- How long did you work together?
- What were the applicant’s main duties?
- Was the applicant reliable?
- Would you re‑hire them?
- How did they get along with colleagues?
- Why did they leave?
Who should think about references
If you are applying for a job, learnership, internship, graduate programme or a government vacancy, you will eventually be asked for references. The same applies if you are a fresh graduate with little work history – academic staff can act as referees.
Why handling references correctly helps you
- It keeps your CV short and focused on your strengths.
- It protects the privacy of the people who support you.
- It shows recruiters that you can follow instructions.
How to decide whether to put references on your CV
- Read the job advert carefully. If it says “include three references” or “provide contactable referees”, follow that instruction exactly.
- Most modern applications do not need them. For private‑sector jobs, leave references off the CV and be ready to supply them later.
- Government and academic posts often request them. Include them only when the advert asks.
Instead of a reference list, use the space for a professional summary, qualifications, key skills, work experience, achievements, certifications and volunteer work.
Steps to provide references when required
- Choose two or three people who know your work well – managers, supervisors, lecturers, internship mentors or volunteer coordinators.
- Ask each person for permission. Explain that employers may call or email them.
- Confirm their current job title, company, phone number and email address.
- Write the information in the same format for every referee:
Full name
Job title
Company or organisation
Relationship to you
Phone number
Email address
Example:
John Smith
Operations Manager
ABC Logistics
Former supervisor
082 123 4567
john.smith@email.com
Tips to improve your chances
- Never list fake references. Employers verify them and will reject you immediately.
- Never use family or friends. Choose independent professional contacts.
- Keep contact details up to date. A wrong phone number looks careless.
- Do not add “References available upon request”. Recruiters assume you will provide them if needed.
- Store references on a separate page. It looks cleaner and protects privacy.
- Prepare a reference sheet before you start applying. This saves time when a vacancy asks for it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Including references when the advert does not ask for them – you waste precious CV space.
- Listing someone who does not know your work – their feedback will be vague.
- Providing outdated contact information.
- Using a reference without their consent.
Final thoughts and next steps
For most South African job applications today, keep your CV tight and omit references until they are specifically requested. Have a separate, up‑to‑date reference sheet ready, and always ask permission before naming someone.
Follow each instruction in the job posting, choose referees who can speak about your reliability and teamwork, and double‑check their details before you hit send. With a focused CV and the right references on hand, you will appear professional and prepared for the interview stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I include references on my CV in South Africa? Not usually. Add them only if the employer asks.
- How many references are enough? Two to three solid references are sufficient.
- Can I use a teacher as a reference? Yes, especially if you have little work experience.
- Is “References available upon request” needed? No. It adds no value.
- Can I use a family member? No. Employers expect independent professional references.
- Should I list my current manager? Only if you are comfortable with them being contacted.
- What if my former manager has left the company? You can still use them if they give current contact details and agree.
Good luck with your applications! Keep your CV clear, keep your references ready, and you’ll be one step closer to the job you want.
