Referral Section 101
A referral section on resume, also known as the reference list, is a piece of information that provides potential employers with a few professional references.
Hiring Managers and Recruiters would typically go through an extra step of contacting your references to validate all the information you’ve provided thus far – whether it be your resume, cover letter, or during the previous interviews.
In summary, they are trying to confirm if you are indeed the person you said you are. Do you really have the relevant skills, work experience and traits?
In general, including a referral section on resume is not a common practice when applying for jobs in Malaysia. Most of the time, employers will request the referral list from you later on in the hiring process (if they are serious about hiring you).
But if you are required to do so, here are some of our best tips to help you include a majestic referral section on resume!
Best Tips for Referral Section on Resume
1. Prepare a List on Your Mind
Based on your professional experiences, think about a few important people whom you have developed professional relationships with.
For working professionals, it would typically be your manager, colleague, etc. As a fresh graduate, it would most likely be your lecturer, faculty dean, etc. Make sure that they have sufficient qualifications to be your reference (e.g. as supposed to your siblings).
Normally, the more senior you are, the longer your referral list will be and vice versa. Sometimes, potential employers will provide a referral list requirement during the hiring process so it would be much clearer for you.
2. Pick Your Best Options
Already have a preliminary list on hand? It’s time for you to do some research on the job vacancy that you’ll be applying for.
This is important to go through the job advertisement and company website to understand what information these employers emphasise, i.e. work ethics, skills, mindset, etc. With this piece of information, you’ll be able to pick the best referrals who can focus on these items on your behalf.
For example, if you are applying for a highly technical role like Software Engineer, a Software Engineer Manager would be able to effectively specify how well you perform and how is it relevant to the job you’re applying for.
The standard practice is to include at least three professional referrals/references. Keep reading to learn the best format for the referral section on resume.
3. Referral Format
It’s simple to list down your referral’s information:
- Full name
- Job title/designation
- Organisation
- Organisation address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Relationship with the referral
For example:
- Jess Low
- Software Engineering Manager
- ICM
- Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- +601234567890
- abc@gmail.com
- Jess was my line manager and we worked closely for 3 years
If you have to include this section in your resume, be sure to allocate a small part of your resume for it. Otherwise, it’s best to include it in a separate document.
4. List Strategically
Nothing complicated. Another best practice is to sequence your referral list starting with the most relevant/best referral at the top (descending order).
There are two reasons for this: Referrals at the top should be the most impressive person/ one that could provide the highest boost to your employment chances. Secondly, referrals at the top are most likely going to be picked and contacted by hiring managers.
Typically, not all of your referrals will be contacted so it’s best to make each one count and make sure that the ones that count, are the very best for your situation.
5. Proofread Referral Contact Information
A final reminder from us: In order to ensure that your job application process (especially the reference checking session) goes on smoothly, you should not neglect proofreading your referral list’s contact information.
Imagine inserting the wrong referral mobile number, email address, designation (job position), etc. – you’d be wasting everyone’s time AND give a negative first impression of being unprofessional.
Final Thoughts
When applying for jobs in Malaysia, it is not really common to include your referral section on resume. Make sure that your referrals would be comfortable and supportive of you before including them in your referral list.
One lesson – networking and maintaining good relationships is crucial to having a smoother career. You will never know when a leader, colleague, or partner would change your life for the better.
Need help on job interviews next, or thinking of creating your own video resume? The Job Majestic platform has all the career guidance you’ll need to achieve a successful career.
