Effective cover letter references: A step-by-step guide

Are references required on your cover letter?

That depends. Some industries and employers require a cover letter with references. Others view the inclusion of references as optional. If you aren’t sure or the job posting doesn’t include any mention of references, it’s a good idea to ask the hiring manager. Find out whether they want you to include references, and if so, how many. 

You should also consider whether there’s a “references” section on the job application. If an employer requires you to include professional references when applying for the position, there’s no need to include them a second time on your cover letter.

Crafting a compelling cover letter

A cover letter provides a great opportunity to explain how your skills and experience align with the job you’re applying for. It should demonstrate how your qualifications make you a great fit for the role. 

Always tailor your document to the role you are applying for. Read the job description and highlight key traits that the company wants to find in the ideal candidate. Showcase how your background matches the employer’s needs. 

Do your best to avoid vague statements. Use specific details about how you’ve been successful in the past. For example, suppose that you are applying for a job that requires project management skills. Describe a successful project you led and how you overcame any challenges that emerged along the way. 

Keep your cover letter short and sweet. It should be one page long with a font size between 10 and 12 points. Use a legible font to make it easier for the hiring team to review your application.

Finally, remember that a cover letter should complement your resume. Keep that in mind when adding examples and personalizing your document to align with the expectations of the hiring team. The documents should not repeat the same information but should enhance one another. 

Selecting and preparing references

After you’ve crafted the majority of your documents, you are ready to add references. Here are a few tips for choosing and preparing cover letter references:

Choose professional acquaintances 

Stick to individuals you know through professional channels. Colleagues and former or current supervisors are some great options. Don’t list personal friends or close family members unless the employer specifically asks for these types of references. 

Verify contact information

Make sure you have up-to-date contact information for each reference. Verify each person’s phone number, email address, company, and job title. It’s a good idea to check with your references beforehand to ensure they’re comfortable being contacted by potential employers. You don’t want anyone to be caught off guard when the company you are applying to calls them. 

Provide context

Explain which role you’re applying for and why their endorsement would be valuable. This will help your references tailor their responses to the specific job and make their recommendations even more impactful. 

Limit the number of references

Most employers view three to five cover letter references as the sweet spot. More than that can be overwhelming for the hiring manager, while fewer than three might not provide enough information about your qualifications. 

Choose your three to five people wisely. Don’t pick three colleagues from the same company and department. Mix it up so that the hiring team can gain a diverse perspective about your professional background and skills. 

Integrating references into your cover letter

Here’s how to include references in cover letters:

• Keep the List Separate: Your references should be submitted as a separate document, not included directly in the cover letter 
• Use a Reference Code: Add a tracking number if the job posting includes one — this ensures that your resume, cover letter, and references aren’t separated
• Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Incorporate keywords from the job posting in case the company uses an ATS to sort applications 
• Tailor References to the Job: Choose people who can speak to the skills and experiences relevant to the role you’re applying for

Check out our cover letter examples for more tips on how to add references to your letter. 

Best practices for references in a cover letter

Adding references to your cover letter can be a great way of making your application stand out and supporting claims you make regarding skills and experience. Your references can also provide the employer with some insights into your personality, background, and who you are as a professional. However, it’s vital that you highlight your references in the right way and seamlessly incorporate them into your application.

Here are a few best practices that you should leverage when you are adding cover letter references: 

Use a clear and concise format

Your reference list should be easy to read. Choose a clean and concise format so that hiring teams can quickly sort through key information like the person’s name, their contact details, and the nature of their affiliation with you. Include bullet points and ample white space to avoid overwhelming the hiring manager with too much information at once. 

You should apply this same rule to your other documents as well. If you are using a template, make sure to choose a matching resume format. Your reference page, cover letter, and resume should be cohesive documents that complement one another. Make sure that the formatting, font, and style of the three forms are consistent. Even subtle discrepancies can negatively impact the way the employer perceives you. 

Highlight your achievements and accomplishments

Your cover letter should draw attention to your professional achievements by using facts and real-world examples. Keep this in mind when choosing your references. If you list a specific accomplishment on your cover letter, choose a reference who can verify your claims and contributions to the company. A strong reference will discuss how you went above and beyond in your previous roles.

Before submitting your application, reach out to your references and give them a little insight into why you chose them. Let them know if you mention any specific projects or achievements that they were a part of. This way, your reference will be aware that the topic may come up when the employer contacts them. 

Keep your references list to one page

Your reference list should be no longer than one page. Focus on three to five relevant references who can speak directly to your qualifications for the job you’re applying for. 

Your reference page needs to be clean and crisp. Use bullet points and white space in between text to promote readability. 

Proofread your reference list carefully 

You should proofread everything before submitting a job application. Review your reference list to ensure it’s free of spelling and grammatical errors. Verify each person’s contact details as well. No reference will do you any good if the employer can’t reach them. 

“Always tailor your document to the role you applied for. Read the job description and highlight traits that the company wants in the ideal candidate.”

Make the most of your cover letter references 

Including references on your cover letter or resume isn’t always necessary, but it may give you an edge over other candidates. By selecting and preparing professional references who can vouch for your skills and experience, you can create a more comprehensive and compelling job application. 

Need a little help landing an interview? Jobseeker offers an extensive library of resources to help you land your dream role. Explore our resume examples and cover letter tips to make your application stand out. You can also download one of our cover letter templates to simplify the process of adding references to your application. Take advantage of our examples, templates, and forms during your job search.