Should I include a reference section in my resume...most of the examples I see do not include one?

References are a given. Most employers will not contact the references unless they are interested in you. Then they ask. As for "References available upon request"; again if an employer is interested they will ask you. Also, they might ask for personal references as well as business contacts. Rule of thumb: leave it off and put more pertinent information about yourself on the resume. It's the first things potential employers look at, they let you know what they need from you.

Good Luck and Happy Job Hunting.

You keep it separate because your references do not need to be provided unless they are going to tender you an offer and need to check you out. TMI for thr first part of the process.

I think the best way to do it is to say "references upon request"

It's normal to put just a single line that says

"references available on request".

IF you give your references names & contact details on your resume, you could be giving away the job if they are called before you can even get an interview.

Its more usual for the company to call the references after the first interview before they make their decision.

They come in a separte piece of paper. Do you think that every time you go on an interview, that you did well? I don't think so. That is the only time you give references is when they ask you for it.

Nope, resumes should be short and simple. If the Employer wants references they will ask you for them when they interview you....trust me! I'm an Employer!

I am going against the flow.

Put them on the resume, it suggests you are prepared. Go ahead and add a second page that is your references only -format the top to look like your resume (name address etc).

I've interviewed thousands of people, and I prefer it in one complete bundle, especially since 90% of all resumes are emailed. I assure you if the second page of your resume is your references, they won't notice that you sent a two page document.

Good Luck!

No, just put at the bottom, References available upon request. And bring copies of your references with you to a job interview, just in case they ask for it.

No - references are to be on a separate piece of paper and you don't submit them along with your resume unless specifically asked to do so. Usually when/if you get an interview, you take your references with you and give them to the employer at that time.

Most of the research that I've done says not to include the references. The potential employer will ask if they want them. I do take them to the interview in case they do request them.

No, use the space to expand another section of your resume. If someone wants references they will ask for them. (Do bring a list of references to the interview if you get one though.)