Character Reference Letter Sample and Tips

This writing is informed by representing thousands of business owners; additionally, the best data comes from my first-hand conversations with business owners and their leadership team.

A character reference letter gives companies an unbiased assessment of a candidate’s qualities and personality. A character reference letter, often known as a “personal” reference letter, emphasizes qualities that support an applicant’s performance in a job, whereas a resume highlights professional qualifications.

Character reference letters are covered in this article, along with how to select a reference for yourself or anyone else, as well as some helpful writing advice and sample letters.

Important lessons learned

• You should write down a character reference only for someone whose traits you can personally attest to.
• Find out the submission particulars, including the deadline, the recipient’s email address, and name.
• Request an updated resume and information about the position for which a reference is required. Give particular instances of how they have demonstrated pertinent attributes and personal qualities.

What is a personal or character reference letter?

A personal or character reference letter is one that a job applicant’s contact writes and submits to prospective employers as proof of the applicant’s character. It usually comes from the viewpoint of a coach, volunteer leader, or family friend who hasn’t worked directly with the applicant but who can vouch for the individual’s skills and ethics. Employers can use this information to determine whether an applicant is a suitable fit for the company by getting a better knowledge of the candidate’s character and qualities.

Employers occasionally request that applicants include a personal or character reference letter when submitting their applications. References may also be requested by employers before, during, or following interviews and as a final step before extending a job offer.

How to draft a letter of character reference

Recommendations for character references from people in your group should only be accepted if you are sufficiently acquainted with the individual to be able to speak for them. You must be able to positively discuss the candidate’s qualities that are relevant to the position.

The following five items must be included in every personal reference letter:

1) Begin by outlining your connection with the applicant

How are you familiar with the applicant? Try to be as detailed as you can. For instance, “To help Habitat for Children NGO, John Doe and I offered our volunteer services to build homes,” or “Jane Doe is the babysitter for my kids and is next-door neighbor to my family.”

2) Mention how long you have known the applicant

For what duration have you known this individual? For instance, “John Doe and I have been working together for six years,” or “I have known Jane Deo for almost five years, having gone to the business school with her for two of those years.”

3) Include affirmative personal attributes with concrete instances

Provide the employer with a minimum of three personal attributes that will enhance their understanding of the candidate and their potential value to the organization. These attributes could include traits like devotion to quality, positive attitude, efficiency, communication skills, leadership potential, and other pertinent soft skills.

4) Finish with a recommendation

Your recommendation should be stated in your concluding remarks. For instance, “I feel John Doe would be a great asset for any organization, and for the said reasons, I have no hesitation in recommending him for this job.”

5) Provide your contact details

Provide a minimum of two points of contact. For example, your mobile number and your email address.

Examples of letters of character reference

These two sample letters of character reference demonstrate the candidate’s best attributes with specific instances, all the while maintaining the message succinct and powerful.

Example 1

Dear Recruiting Manager,

John Doe and I have known each other for over seven years. In addition to offering his digital marketing services to my business, we have connected over our mutual volunteer work as guides for the local chapter of the Pets Club. He helped me enhance my website and boost online traffic.

One of the most committed, diligent, and creative individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with in any position is John. In addition, he is kind and sympathetic, and he never misses a chance to assist others. The events coordinator at the Pets Club got sick one time when we were volunteering there. John intervened, staying up late and giving up a whole weekend to make sure everything was arranged and the celebration event wasn’t postponed.

John is the kind of person you can rely on to remain composed under pressure, and his upbeat outlook is infectious.

These factors lead me to suggest John for the marketing manager profile, and I think he would be a great addition to any company lucky enough to have him onboard.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Regards,

Jane Doe

213-555-1234

Janedoe@email.com

Sample 2

Dear HR Manager,

For the past three years, Jane Doe has played club football for my team. Also, I have known the Doe family closely as a friend.

Since I have known her, Jane has demonstrated a remarkable degree of self-control, commitment, and optimism. Our club football team has been inspired by her dedication to camaraderie and togetherness. For instance, Jane thought the team should reconnect and focus again after dropping two crucial games in a row. The next practice, she planned a team-building exercise that strengthened the bonds among the members of the squad. I think proactiveness like this is important for the team.

I was thrilled to hear from Jane that she was considering volunteering for your organization. Her passion and devotion to this opportunity are things I am very confident in. I highly recommend her.

Do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any more inquiries.

Best Regards,

John Doe

619-550-1234

johndoe@email.com

How to write a strong letter of recommendation

Here are a few guidelines to bear in mind when writing a letter, regardless of whether you’re requesting anyone to do it for you or writing one for anyone else:

• Positive letters of recommendation are ideal. Listing one’s professional or personal failings here is not appropriate. Referees should only accept to be contacted if they believe they can accurately attest to the contact’s positive attributes. Candidates must only choose references they are certain can speak highly of them.
• It’s necessary to give specific examples. While a detailed list of attributes is useful, employers can have a greater understanding of the candidate’s potential performance in a variety of real-life settings by reviewing specific instances that bolster and demonstrate these attributes.
• Brief letters work best. Personal references must not go beyond one page. Keep in mind that hiring managers and recruiters are busy people who may have multiple candidates to evaluate. Keeping letters succinct yet informative will guarantee that they read them completely.
• Stay away from disclosing personal information. An applicant’s troubles or other private matters they might not wish to discuss with their potential employer must not be discussed in the letter of reference.

Knowing when to request a character reference

Letters of character recommendation may be required by professional associations, colleges, hiring managers, or for volunteer opportunities.

If the prospective employer does not ask for a character reference when you apply for a job, you can still provide one. If you are a first-time applicant without any professional references to offer or if you’ve been out of the work for a while, further details may be helpful. An employment background check often includes seeking a character reference letter to gain a comprehensive understanding of an applicant’s personal qualities and character traits.

Conducting background investigations and reference checks is an essential part of the hiring process, and a character reference letter can provide valuable insights into an applicant’s qualities and character traits.

With whom to get a character reference

The character reference could be any individual in your circle who can attest to your strongest qualities. Somebody in your network who is not your employer could also be a good choice.

Listed below are some types of people who could be ideal character references:

• Work colleague
• Co-volunteer or volunteer leader
• Customer or client
• Coach
• Business acquaintance or vendor
• Academic advisor or professor
• Graduate from the same college or classmate
• Professional or personal mentor
• Close friend or neighbor

It’s advisable to stay away from selecting your in-laws or spouse or anyone else with whom you have a family relationship. Family members’ recommendations are frequently regarded as biased and are not as seriously taken as those from coworkers or teachers.

Make sure the individual you select can also discuss your qualities about the role or industry. Give them the job details and your most recent résumé to assist them get ready, and notify them as soon as you can. Send a thank-you mail or note to the person who provided you with the character reference.

Whether you move forward in the recruiting process with an employer depends in part on selecting the ideal character reference. If you are selected as a reference, make sure your letter emphasizes the benefits that your contact may provide to a company. Employers consider a candidate’s character, personality, and soft skills in addition to their professional experience/expertise and talents before making their final selection.

FAQs

When would I be required to provide a letter of character reference?

You often get a notification from an employer or an organization to submit a letter of character reference. Here are a few instances in which someone might ask for this document:

• As part of the job application, particularly if the position demands a high degree of trust or you are not experienced enough
• To apply for a corporate group or other professional membership or certificate
• For an application to a college or university

Who should I not contact if I need a reference?

When asking for a reference, it’s usually advisable to stay away from immediate family members. This is because a reference letter for the character should be impartial and unaffected by personal ties to prevent prejudice. When choosing a referee, it is advised to stay away from the following individuals:

• Siblings
• Parents
• Partners and spouses

What is the ideal length for a character reference letter?

These letters should be between 300 and 400 words and no more than one page. Recruiting managers probably evaluate several applications each day, so make sure that the letter is brief enough for them to read it all. Employers can overlook information that strengthens your job application if the letter is lengthy because they won’t have enough time to read it completely.

Does a letter of character recommendation have to be written by hand?

It’s not necessary to write the letter by hand. Typed letters are typically preferred by employers since they are simpler to read and comprehend during the hiring process. Either a printed paper letter or a digital document can be sent to them. Regardless of the format or wording you use for the letter, make sure it is professional.

What could go wrong while checking a character’s references?

When doing a check for character reference, employers are looking for several different things. You can prevent any errors that could result in a subpar reference check by being aware of the potential pitfalls of character reference checks. Here are a few typical instances of inappropriate character references:

• Applicants not agreeing to give a reference
• Wrong contact information of the referee
• Incomplete details
• Submitting false information or acting as the wrong referee

Are all character reference letters reviewed by employers?

These letters give employers a glimpse into the personal traits of candidates, which makes them valuable. These records are frequently examined by employers to help them make a decision. Although a recruiter can’t review each letter they get, they will almost certainly examine the references of the candidates they are interested in when they make their final hiring decision.