Character Reference Letter: Tips for Writing Personal References

A character reference letter is a recommendation written by someone other than a past employer that speaks to the subject’s good character traits, work ethic, and soft skills. Job applicants generally submit a character reference letter, also known as a personal reference letter, with an application as a job reference. This type of letter differs from a professional reference because it gives insight into an applicant’s skills and positive qualities from a lens other than a previous employer.

A good reference letter outlines an applicant’s strengths and experience and can help them secure a job interview and offer. A potential employer likely doesn’t know the applicant personally. Hence, the letter is an excellent way for the employer to determine if the applicant may be a good fit for the position.

If you are writing a character reference letter for someone you know, follow these steps:

1. 1. Add a heading. Address the letter to the hiring manager. If the job description does not include a contact, you can use a generic salutation, like “to whom it may concern.”
2. 2. Be specific. Highlight the candidate’s strengths by using specific examples of their skills you have seen first-hand. Use their résumé to provide additional details and context where applicable.
3. 3. Include your relationship. Make sure to mention your connection to the applicant (if they are your coworker, family friend, or family member) and how long you have known them.
4. 4. Give them a recommendation. Ultimately, the purpose of this letter is to recommend someone for a particular job, so close out your reference by stating why you think the applicant would be a valuable asset to the team.
5. 5. Provide your contact information. If you’re comfortable doing so, add your email or phone number to the end of the letter and let the hiring manager know you would be happy to discuss the candidate and answer any further questions over the phone.

Here’s one example of a character reference letter:

*Dear Ms. Lopez,

I have known Samantha Drexel for six years. We met while volunteering for an after-school program. Having worked as a freelance writer and editor for a decade, I asked Maria to help me create digital content for my business’ website.

In that time, she has shown she is a meticulous writer and editor with a knack for developing intriguing story ideas that are also useful to my readers. Her content strategy has helped my website traffic grow by 25% in the last two years.

Additionally, whenever I ask her for more insight on how SEO works, she patiently explains the process. She demonstrates this same humility and professionalism when volunteering.

Having seen her work firsthand, I wholeheartedly believe she would be an asset to your team as the culture editor.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Martha Miller
123-456-7890
m.miller@email.com*

Use these writing tips to ensure your reference letter is professional and concise:

1. 1. Be professional. Even if you know the candidate personally, remember that the reference letter is going to a professional organization. Keep your tone professional and respectful throughout.
2. 2. Keep it short. Reference letters should be short and to the point, so make sure it is no longer than one page.
3. 3. Proofread. Look over your letter and ensure there are no grammatical or formatting errors.
4. 4. Read a sample character reference letter. If you’ve never written one before, look for character reference letter samples online to get familiar with the tone and format. There are also character reference letter templates available online that you can download for free.
5. 5. Use their résumé and the job description. Before writing your recommendation, review the candidate’s résumé and the job description for the role. Use this context to write the recommendation and speak to their skills.

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