Character Reference Letter Sample and Tips

A character reference letter provides employers with insight into a job candidate’s personal traits and attributes. Unlike traditional job references, which typically come from previous employers or colleagues, a character reference is often written by someone who knows the candidate personally but has not worked with them in a professional capacity. This letter serves as an opportunity to emphasize a candidate’s soft skills and personal qualities that may be relevant to the job.

Whether you’re preparing to request a character reference letter or have been asked to write one, this article offers guidance on how to provide a compelling character reference, what to include, how to make the request, and examples that can help you craft your own letter.

Key Takeaways:

• Only write a character reference for someone whose qualities you are well-acquainted with.
• Request a resume and relevant job details to customize your reference letter for the specific opportunity.
• Good character references can come from family friends, mentors, and community members.
• Your character reference letter should clearly endorse the candidate and include specific examples of their relevant traits.

What is a Character Reference Letter?

A character reference letter, also known as a personal reference letter, is a document written by someone who knows a job candidate well and can vouch for their personal qualities. In this article, we will focus on character reference letters specifically for job applications.

Character references speak to a candidate’s integrity, work ethic, and other interpersonal skills. Importantly, a character reference does not address the candidate’s professional skills, as the writer typically lacks insight into their job performance.

Hiring managers may request character references at various stages of the hiring process, whether during the application, after interviews, or just before extending a job offer. While professional references tend to carry more weight, character references can help employers assess whether the candidate’s personality will mesh well with their team.

What to Include in a Character Reference Letter

If you’ve been asked to write a character reference, ensure you accept the request only if you possess a genuine understanding of the candidate’s positive traits. Highlighting their transferable skills is crucial for an employer to relate these traits to the candidate’s potential job performance.

The main components of an effective character reference letter include:

1. How you know the candidate. Start your letter by clearly stating your relationship to the applicant. Keep it specific but concise. For example, “I coached Sarah in basketball for two years,” or “Bill volunteered with me during Bike and Build.”
2. The length of your relationship. Employers want to know how long you’ve known the candidate. Is it a new acquaintance, or have you observed their character over many years? Examples: “Jason and I have volunteered together for three years,” or “I’ve known Felicia for five years and coached her for two.”
3. Positive traits (with specific examples). Use the body of your letter to discuss the qualities that may make the candidate a good fit for the job. Share anecdotes that illustrate these skills. For instance, “Andy was always the first to practice and the last to leave, helping clean up afterward,” or “Cindy assisted many students with their standardized testing, helping them get into their top-choice colleges.” Highlight two to three relevant skills with concrete examples.
4. Finish with a clear endorsement. Clearly state your support for the applicant’s job candidacy. After discussing their personal qualities, conclude by saying how these traits make them a valuable addition to any organization. For example, “For all these reasons, I highly recommend Tim for this job and believe he would be a great asset to any team.”
5. Your contact information. At the end of the letter, provide your contact details in case the employer needs to follow up, including your email address, phone number, or LinkedIn profile.

Character Reference Letter Examples

Having a template for a character reference letter can be incredibly helpful. Below are a few sample character reference letters for employment:

1. Character Reference Letter for a Friend

   Dear Ms. Smith,

   I have had the pleasure of knowing Michael Long for the past ten years. As a classmate at Penn State, where he is a coordinator for local alumni events, I have witnessed his dedication firsthand. Michael has also organized several events for my restaurant and other special occasions.

   With a keen eye for detail and a flair for creativity, Michael shows remarkable dedication to every event he undertakes. His ability to transform concepts into visually appealing designs is commendable. Additionally, as an effective communicator, he liaises effortlessly with various vendors, allowing me to focus on my guests.

   Given his expertise in planning events, I believe he would be an invaluable event planner for your organization.

   Should you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out at your convenience.

   Sincerely,

   Amanda Teller

   ateller@email.com
   (555)-222-1111

2. Character Reference Letter for a Fellow Volunteer

   Dear Hiring Manager,

   I have known Laura Tevez for over five years through our work at a local soup kitchen. She has also assisted me personally by designing logos for my website.

   Laura is an incredibly hardworking, compassionate, and creative individual. She engages everyone as an equal and genuinely listens to their concerns. One memorable instance was when a guest at the soup kitchen expressed distress over not being able to provide gifts for her children during Christmas. Laura took it upon herself to purchase wonderful toys—specifically chosen based on her brief interactions with the children—and delivered them, beautifully wrapped, to the guest’s home.

   Laura is the type of person who is always looking for ways to help and finds great joy in solving problems.

   For these reasons and many more, I wholeheartedly recommend Laura for the graphic design position, believing she would be a valuable addition to any team fortunate enough to have her.

   Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

   Sincerely,

   Jon Franklin

   jfranklin@email.com
   (777)-999-3333

How to Write a Character Reference Letter

• Specificity matters. Rather than simply stating someone’s skills, provide specific examples of soft skills in action. For instance, instead of saying the candidate is determined, describe how they balanced two jobs while earning a degree and starting a blog. Concrete details bring the candidate to life.
• Be 100% positive. All character reference letters should maintain a positive tone. The letter should convey that the writer has no reservations about recommending the candidate for the position.
• Mimic the job description. When writing a character reference, refer to the job description for relevant keywords and phrases. Incorporating similar language helps align the letter with the employer’s expectations.
• Keep it concise. Character reference letters should be brief, ideally half a page to one page in length, with 3-4 paragraphs totaling 200-400 words. Always include your contact information and invite the hiring manager to reach out if they need further details.

How to Request a Character Reference Letter

When requesting a character reference, it’s essential to choose the right person—someone who can authentically speak to the qualities you wish to highlight.

Make your request well in advance of when you need the letter, allowing ample time for the writer to prepare. To facilitate the process, share your resume and any relevant information once they agree to help.

If you’re asking via email, express your appreciation in your message and attach or link to your background documents. Be sure to provide a realistic deadline.

As the deadline approaches, it’s appropriate to send a polite follow-up email to check if they need any additional information or assistance. After receiving the letter, send a thoughtful thank-you note expressing your gratitude.

Who to Ask for a Character Reference Letter

When seeking a character reference letter, choose someone from your network who knows you personally but has not worked with you in a professional setting. If you’ve been asked to provide a character reference, only accept if you are familiar with the individual’s positive traits.

Good candidates for writing a character reference letter include:

• Co-volunteers
• Fraternity or sorority members
• Church members
• Sports teammates
• Neighbors
• Family friends
• Advisors
• Counselors

Character Reference Letter FAQ

1. What should a character reference include?

A character reference should include five key elements: how you know the candidate, the length of your relationship, positive traits of the candidate, a clear endorsement, and your contact information. Each element should be direct, grammatically correct, and maintain a positive tone.

2. Who can I use for a character reference?

Your character reference should be someone who knows you well and can speak definitively about you. Ideally, this should not be a close family member, as they may appear biased. Instead, consider close family friends, mentors, or members of organizations you belong to—individuals who can offer an impartial assessment of your character.

3. Can I use a character reference for a job application?

You should use a character reference if specifically requested or if you lack professional references. Generally, professional references are preferred for job applications, as they provide insight into relevant skills. However, there are instances where organizations value personal perspectives, making character references acceptable.

Articles In Post Interview Guide

• Reference Examples
  • Personal Reference Letter
  • Recommendation Letter for Employment
  • Professional Reference Letter
  • Reference Letter Template
  • Reference Letter for a Friend
  • Professional References
  • List Of References
  • Recommendation Letter From Employer
  • Academic Reference Letter
  • Business Reference Letter
  • Recommendation Letter for a Promotion
  • Character Reference Letter
  • Reference From A Manager

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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.