As part of routine hiring procedure, employers are likely to require references from you. These are people you know personally or professionally, and who, more importantly, know you. Talking to people who have worked with you or who know you on a personal level is one way for the employer to verify that you are indeed who you say you are and are worthy of being employed. Since your references will most likely play a crucial role in your employment process, writing resume references needs to be given careful consideration and should not be treated lightly. Here you will find steps to help you write resume references that will lead you closer to the job you seek.

Make a list of all the people you think might make good references--both personal and professional. Your references should be people who know you well or whom you have worked with for a considerable period of time and who can attest to your character, professionalism, quality of work, qualifications or experience.

Contact each of them individually either by email or phone. Let them know that you are in the process of seeking employment and ask them if they would be willing to be one of your references. If they agree, confirm their most recent address, contact numbers, email and most preferred method of contact and convenient time to be contacted, if by phone. If you wish the information to be confidential, be sure to stress that politely. Spend a few minutes going over your background, where you first met, how long you have known each other, what type of relationship you share (professional - coworker, supervisor; personal-friend, other). If the relationship is professional, recap some of the projects you worked on and how you performed. This is just to ensure that the other person's opinion and memory of you is what you assume it to be. You could also send them a copy of your current resume so they can refer to it, if needed.

Narrow down your list to 5 to 7 professional and personal references each. Make a mental note of the 3 you will choose in case the employer asks for only 3.

Print your name and contact details clearly on top, just as you would on a resume. Underneath, write the title "Resume References" in bold.
One simple, yet effective way of listing your resume references is to categorize them into two categories: Professional References and Personal References. Indicate these as clearly distinct sub-headings.

Under the professional references category, list the names of your references along with their contact information including, phone numbers, email, mailing address (if necessary and if you have sought permission), their current official title, the company where they are employed, your association with the person, how long you have known each other or worked with each other, preferred method and time of contact. Under the personal reference category, list the names of each reference, her contact information and the nature of your relationship (e.g. friend, classmate).