CV referees: Do we really need them?

In an argument on a Google group chat, a member said writing references or referees on CVs is wayward and unprofessional. The other members did not welcome it as it donned on them that each of them was a victim. They had included a referee or two on their CVs while applying for a job.

Of course, it has become a common practice for job seekers to include two or more references on their CVs. As a matter of fact some career experts have gone ahead to declare that references on CVs are a requirement.

The referees section on your CV has always been a vital part we all believe cannot entirely omit. Usually, references are those two people who know you so well and have worked with you in one way or another and can vouch for you to a prospective employer.

“References can be your current or previous employer, supervisor, manager, lecturer, coach or someone who knows you well academically or professionally,” explains Ms Betty Ajilong, human resource manager for Aramex.

She cautions against having relatives as references because they can never provide a fair judgment of who you are.

Additionally, referees should be well spoken, friendly, engaging, professional and authoritative.

“There is no point in including referees if you do not have two very good ones that are eloquent, well spoken and professional. Plus, before you include someone as your reference, give him a call or send him an email to seek his consent and let him know the role he is going to play such that he is not ambushed in case your prospective employer calls,” she says.

Are they necessary?

In the Google chat, a number of people backed up the fact that referees are necessary, their line of argument was supported with interesting facts.

It is important for one to add referees on their CV because they act as points of contact, one of the group members said.

“They are foot prints that the employer will use to trace your education and professional or employment background. References are a prerequisite to verify the information provided in the CV,” highlights Mr Patrick Agaba, programmes manager for Uganda Conservation Foundation.

“Your reference may be a respectable and well known person which would impress the employer and you would land a job,” he says.

“Most employers dash to look at the referees and incase they find they are prominent and highly respected people, they will surely trust you on the job.”

Sometimes you just need a good name to hide behind in order to land a job.

Mr Mark Bwiire, Restless Development’s programme manager, believes references make life easier for recruiting teams.

He says they can instantly check you out. “By merely looking at your referees, your prospective employer can tell that whatyou have written is in your CV is true.”

Emmanuel Oumo, says for fresh graduates that have just left university and do not have much to include in their CVs, the reference section is an opportunity to make their CV ‘heavier’.

“In most cases, everyone has someone to back him or her up. In this case, the references will fill up that empty space and make the CV look complete simply because most people are used to seeing it that way.

“References give the CV a little more weight that one feels confident. To some, it’s a sign that they have nothing to hide,” he says.

While others believe that references are necessary, a number of professionals do not state otherwise. However, they cite a few peculiar disadvantages of adding references on your CV.

The applicant needs more space to include all their information. Omitting references can free up space for the information.

“References take up valuable space which can be used for more useful information. Some employers do not have the time to look at your references or even call the people mentioned.

“If they have not requested for referees, then do not include them because they are irrelevant,” notes Mr Paul Wayero, manager for Save the Children.

He adds: “At times there are people who have no working experience but have very prominent referees. This is suicidal especially at a very early stage of the application process. It will surely raise questions because of mismatch.