Looking for a job? You’re not alone. So, as you pound the pavement and network your way into a new gig, there’s one thing that may go overlooked in the process. And that’s the reference.

For starters, if your resume is already filling up two pages and you need to trim it down a bit, you can certainly remove the line, “References available upon request.”

In today’s New York Post, Gregory Giangrande, chief human resources officer at Time, Inc., writes, “Nowadays it’s a safe assumption, and usually the request is made at the end of the process when the employer is interested in making a job offer—so wait to be asked.”

As for the second tip, this may sound basic but it’s worth drilling down: Contact your references ahead of time prior to providing their contact information to potential employers. Essentially, give them a heads up so they’re not caught off guard when they get called.

Lastly, as far as how many people you should have as references? Three is usually the magic number but Giangrande emphasizes the importance of having someone vouch for you: “Most employers will want to speak with at least one or two people directly.”