The referees section is often the most rushed part of a CV, thrown together in the last five minutes before submitting an application. That’s a mistake. In the Kenyan job market, where many employers call referees directly as part of the shortlisting process, a poorly chosen or incorrectly formatted referees section can undo the strength of an otherwise excellent CV.
What Are CV Referees, and Why Do They Matter?
CV referees are people who can vouch for your work, character, or academic performance when an employer contacts them directly, usually during the final stages of hiring. Unlike a reference letter, which you carry with you, referees are contacted independently by the employer, which means the honesty and reliability of your chosen referees matters as much as your own CV content.
How Many Referees Should You Include?
Two to three referees is standard for most Kenyan job applications. Fewer than two can look thin, particularly for more senior roles, while more than three starts to feel excessive and can dilute the impression each one leaves.
Who Makes a Good Referee?
- A direct supervisor or manager from a current or recent role, someone who can speak specifically to your work performance.
- A lecturer, tutor, or academic supervisor, especially useful for recent graduates or students without extensive work history.
- An internship or attachment supervisor, who can speak to practical, hands-on experience even if it wasn’t a formal job.
- A club patron, project supervisor, or community leader, a solid option for students or fresh graduates who don’t yet have a workplace referee.
Avoid listing family members or close friends, even if they technically know your work, since employers generally want an independent perspective.
How to Format Referees on Your CV
For each referee, include:
- Full name
- Job title
- Organization
- Phone number
- Email address
- Optionally, your relationship to them (e.g., “Former Supervisor”)
A clean example:
Referees
Mary Wambui HR Manager, Nairobi Retail Group 07XX XXX XXX | mary.wambui@nairobiretail.co.ke
Dr. James Otieno Senior Lecturer, University of Nairobi 07XX XXX XXX | j.otieno@uonbi.ac.ke
“Available on Request” vs Listing Referees Directly
In many Western job markets, it’s common to simply write “References available on request” and provide details later if asked. In Kenya, most employers expect referee details listed directly on the CV itself, since it speeds up their shortlisting process. Unless a specific job advert asks you to withhold referee details, include them fully.
Common Mistakes With CV Referees
- Not asking permission first. Always confirm with someone before listing them, both out of courtesy and to make sure they’re prepared for a call.
- Using outdated contact details. Double check phone numbers and emails are current before submitting your CV.
- Choosing referees who don’t know your work well. A referee who can only offer a vague, generic response is less useful than one who knows your specific contributions.
- Listing family members. This can undermine the credibility of the section entirely.
- Forgetting to update referees over time. As your career progresses, your referees should shift toward more recent, more senior, or more relevant contacts.
Final Word
Your CV referees section is a small part of the document by word count, but it carries real weight once you reach the shortlisting stage. Choose people who genuinely know your work, confirm with them in advance, keep their contact details current, and format the section cleanly so an employer can reach them without friction.
FAQ
How many referees should I put on my CV? Two to three is standard for most Kenyan job applications.
Should I write “available on request” instead of listing referees? No, not by default. Most Kenyan employers expect referee details listed directly on the CV, unless the job advert specifically asks otherwise.
Can I list a family member as a referee? It’s best to avoid this. Employers generally want an independent perspective on your work or character, not someone who could be seen as biased.
Do I need permission before listing someone as a referee? Yes, always ask first, both as a courtesy and to make sure they’re prepared if the employer contacts them.