As a part of the recruitment process, many employers expect the job applicants to submit a character reference letter along with the applications or after the interview. Generally, for showing professional qualities and skills, a candidate can use a well-crafted resume. But the personal traits should not be expressed explicitly. So, regarding that, a third person can submit a reference letter to the employers about the job-seeker. Here, in this blog post, let us have a look at how to write a character reference letter with examples.
What is a Character Reference Letter?
A character or personal reference letter is a formal letter written to the employers by any contact of a candidate highlighting the applicant’s personal attributes.
Those who are not professionally associated with the candidate can submit this letter by listing out the candidate’s abilities and character in a way suitable for the employers to understand and decide whether or not that person is a perfect fit for the organization. Specifically, some companies will decide to give a job offer to the applicants only after analyzing the reference letter. Hence, the need for a well-written personal reference letter is high.
Character Reference Letter Insights
As far as a reference letter is concerned, you can provide a reference for a job-seeker you know and can also get references from your personal circle if you are in search of a job. Always accept the request of writing this letter to others only if you know the applicant personally.
Mainly, professional organizations, NGOs, and Universities expect the candidates to submit a personal reference letter. You can also submit this letter if you are new to the job market or if you don’t have any professional contacts.
As said earlier, always choose your personal contacts for getting references because they know you well when compared to others. Your former employer or someone from your professional circle can also provide, but such contracts should be aware of your personal traits.
If you want a reference letter, then prior to writing, send a copy of your job post to the one who writes for you, so they can write a powerful letter matching the job requirement. Also, after receiving it, remember to send a thank-you note.
To get a reference letter, you can seek help from a Neighbor, a Mentor, a Family Doctor, an Advisor, a Coach, a Vendor, a Customer, a Co-worker, etc. Avoid choosing your close relatives, spouse, family members, and in-laws for getting a reference letter.
Key Elements of Character Reference Letter
If you are given the responsibility of writing a personal reference letter, then like every other business letter, be formal by mentioning the sender’s address, date, and recipient’s address at the top of the page. You need not add a sender’s address if you use your letterhead.
In the body of the letter, after the salutation, include the following elements in order.
- Your relationship with the candidate and the number of years you know him/her personally.
- Mention the personal qualities of the candidate along with the examples in a strong way suitable to make the application stand out. Here, you can include any three qualities such as attitude, dedication, commitment, efficiency, creativity, patience, etc.
- Add a statement of recommendation and a thank you note for spending their time on your letter.
- Close the letter by including your signature, name, and contact information (email id and phone number).
Tips for Writing a Character Reference Letter
Whenever you are asked to write a character reference letter, keep the following tips in mind.
Stick to Business Letter Format
The letter should be written in a formal tone as per the business letter writing guidelines. Concentrate on the format, spacing, margin, alignment, punctuation, and usage of the words. Use appropriate salutations and closing words. You need not follow this format if you send a reference email.
Be positive
The reference letter is not the place to vent your hatred of the job seeker. Be positive and authentically explain the personal attributes of the candidates in a convincing manner. Before writing, spend some time reading and understanding the job description.
Be specific and concise
The letter should be concise and should not exceed one page. The hiring managers will not have time to read lengthy letters. So, explain the context in a brief by including up to 3 attributes. Do not mention the candidate’s personal struggles or private details. Be to the point and discuss only personal traits.
Add Examples
Adding the characters of the candidates alone will not make the letter effective. Illustrate the qualities with supporting examples or real-life scenarios. Explaining the attributes with examples in an authentic way is the only way to help the employer understand how the applicant would benefit the company.
Character Reference Letter Template
Here is the standard format of a character reference letter.
[Sender’s Address]
[Date]
[To whom it may concern]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[State, City, Zip]
Dear [Name/ Professional Title]
[Introduction paragraph]
[Explain the relationship with the applicant and the personal characters with examples]
[Recommendation Statement]
[Conclusion – Including Contact Information]
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Name]
Character Reference Letter Examples
For your better understanding, below we have shared some sample character reference letters.
Example #1
123, ASD Flats
Lock Street
California 90011
26 August 2021
The Hiring Manager
SS Software Private Limited
California 91331
Dear Hiring Manager,
I have known William for more than 5 years. We both met when he came to attend a Technical Symposium at my college. He was the winner of the Geek Coding Contest conducted at that Tech Symposium.
William is a hardworking, creative and dedicated person. I became a friend with him after knowing his compassion for others. He was the one who helped me to develop a customized personal blog. When it comes to working, he will work with utmost sincerity and will never compromise.
William is one of thecoolest people I have ever seen in life. Even in a stressful situation, he will spread positive vibes. One day when my blog crashed, without losing his cool, he recovered 600+ blog posts and fixed the issue overnight.
For these reasons, I would like to recommend William for the Software Developer position in your company. Also, I believe that he would become a top critical resource in your company and help the team he is a part of in tough situations.
If you wish to know more about William, you can reach out to me at any time.
Sincerely,
Noah
+1 0000-111-222
Example #2
18/16 New Villa
Pearl Street
California 90201
20 August 2021
The Hiring Manager
Trip Hotel
California 90650
Dear Hiring Manager,
I have known Linea for the past 7 years. She was my classmate at the Sweety Bakers Institute.
Till the time I have known her, Linea has displayed dedication, patience and honesty. She is passionate about food and always takes initiative to kill the hunger of others. Linea is an optimistic and hardworking person who loves to execute work in a perfect manner.
In my circle, Linea is one of the best chefs I have ever known. She is an expert in changing disastrous food to a yummy one. During my sister’s birthday party, when the chef I have hired spoiled the main dish, it was Linea who saved the party. With utmost patience, she worked and delivered tasty food at the right time.
For these reasons, I would like to recommend Linea for the post of Junior Chef in your hotel. Also, I believe that her contribution to your hotel in the future would be commendable.
If you wish to know more about Linea, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Sharon Smith
+1 2147-258-369
Sharon@email.com
Conclusion
We hope you are now clear on how to write a character reference letter. Especially, while writing character reference letters, list the characteristics of the candidate honestly. Avoid writing an exaggerated letter. As it is a formal letter, try to be more professional.
Remember, presenting an erroneous letter to the employers would create a bad impression about the candidate. So, before submission make sure to proofread the letter. Also, when composing the letter, keep an eye on the job description and draft the content accordingly in a proper format because a well-crafted letter would help the applicant to win a golden ticket to enter their dream organization.
If you want to write a convincing character reference letter, follow the tips mentioned in this blog post. For your understanding, you can also download sample reference letters online. In case, you are still unsure of how to craft an effective character reference letter, immediately reach out to us.
