Making Your Resume Better: What to Remove
-
01
The Space Waster Get rid of this phrase to free up the bottom of your page. Use that space for a "Top Accomplishments" or "Key Skills" area that shows recruiters what you can do.
-
02
Saying the Obvious Don't include it because hiring managers expect you to give them your contact information. They know you will provide it when you get an official job offer.
-
03
The Weak Finish Instead of using this common filler, put a link to your work examples or a strong closing achievement. This makes sure the last thing they see is your talent, not paperwork details.
-
04
Protecting Your Network Only share reference names later in the process. This stops people who recommend you from getting bothered by constant calls when you are only in the early stages of interviewing.
The Outdated Custom
No, you should not include "References available upon request" on your resume. Modern recruiters already assume you have references and will ask for them when needed. The phrase wastes space, looks dated, and tells hiring managers nothing about your skills or achievements.
The blinking line at the bottom of your resume feels like it's demanding one last sentence. If you're a new graduate, that blank space feels scary; if you've been working for many years, it feels like something important is missing. To calm yourself down and make the document look "finished," you type the old standby: References available upon request. You think it’s a safe, polite thing to include, a way to be prepared. But this feeling of safety is false.
By filling your final impression with something everyone already assumes, you show that you are stuck in the past. You waste your most valuable resume space on something that doesn't sell you. According to a ResumeLab survey of hiring decision-makers, 88% say the phrase isn't necessary on a resume. They already know references exist.
Stop treating your resume like a legal paper and start treating it like a short, powerful sales pitch: take out the obvious stuff to show you respect the recruiter's time as much as you respect your own. The same thinking applies to overused resume buzzwords that waste space without saying anything real.
Looking at This Like an Expert: Real Action vs. "Keeping It Just in Case"
Smart action is all about making an impression. When you delete "References available upon request," you are saving the most valuable space on your resume: the very end. You are choosing to use that spot for a powerful final message, a link to your portfolio, or just clean, professional blank space that tells the reader, "I know what matters."
Thinking "just in case" means you are safe is like using a security blanket made of junk mail. It doesn't make you safer; it just shows the recruiter that you don't know how to organize information effectively. You are showing them that you value old, useless rules more than the recruiter's limited time.
Removing "References available upon request" saves important space for a strong final statement, a link to your work, or clean white space. This proves you understand professional priorities.
If you are always worried about minor "rules" (like whether a missing phrase or slight change in layout will get you rejected), you aren't just writing a resume. You are controlled by Worry About Missing Information.
If your current job or field makes you feel like one small technicality could destroy your career, you are in a bad spot. When you spend more energy worrying about seeming* to follow rules than actually achieving *good results, you stop growing.
If you think that leaving out a useless phrase that's been around for 40 years will get you rejected by a company, that's a company you shouldn't work for anyway.
Stop trying to get by in old, complicated organizations that value pointless tradition over modern speed. If you feel like you have to fill your resume with unnecessary junk just to get past the first person looking at it, that's your sign to look elsewhere.
Are you a professional who knows your value, or someone who is scared of empty space? Pick one.
Cruit: Your Partner for Career Growth
Swap Filler for Real Results
Resume ToolGet rid of old phrases by asking an AI helper to suggest replacing them with strong examples of what you achieved. Our smart layout tool automatically adjusts to showcase your career story well.
Create a Modern Online Image
LinkedIn Profile ToolMake sure your online profile matches your resume. This tool helps write copy that highlights your skills and proves your value right away.
Keep Track of Your Successes
Journal ToolWrite down your wins as they happen, so you don't forget them later. This creates a search-ready list of your accomplishments to use for resumes instead of filler words.
Answering Common Resume Questions
Will removing the reference line make me look unprepared?
No. Hiring managers expect you to have references. It's a standard step near the end of the process. Removing the phrase shows you know current hiring norms and would rather use that space to highlight your actual achievements.
What if the job application specifically asks for references?
Yes, provide them. But keep them separate. If an employer asks for references early, they will give you a spot in the online form or ask for a separate document. Keep your resume focused on selling yourself, and have a clean reference sheet ready to send the moment they request it.
What should I put at the bottom of my resume instead?
Use that space for a "Top Accomplishments" section, a link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile, or a final strong result from your most recent role. Each of these options adds real value. A reference placeholder does not. Before you submit, run through a resume proofreading checklist to catch anything else that might be holding your application back.
How many references should I have ready?
Prepare three to five professional references: former managers, colleagues, or clients who can speak directly to your work. Keep them on a separate, formatted document and contact each person before sharing their details with any employer.
Does listing references on a resume hurt your chances?
It can. Some recruiters see a reference section as a sign the applicant is unfamiliar with current practices. It also uses space that could showcase skills or results. More practically, sharing reference contact details early exposes your contacts to outreach before any serious interest is confirmed.
The Main Point
Modern resumes should focus on showing strong results, not listing old formalities that take up space.
By getting rid of this unnecessary text, you show you are a focused person who knows how to share information quickly and effectively. Don’t just let your career happen to you.
Removing filler from your resume is the first step to controlling your professional story, moving from being just an applicant to being a leader of your own career narrative.
Get Started
