A well-written character reference highlights someone’s positive qualities and provides specific examples that support your statements about their character.
When crafting these letters, you need to consider your relationship with the person, the specific situation, and what qualities would be most valuable to emphasize. Including concrete examples makes your letter more convincing and memorable. The right character reference can make a significant difference in helping someone achieve their goals.
What Is a Character Reference Letter?
A character reference letter speaks about someone’s personal qualities and traits. Unlike professional references that focus on work skills, this type of letter highlights a person’s character, morals, and behavior.
People often need character reference letters when applying for jobs, seeking housing, or during legal proceedings. The letter helps others understand what kind of person the individual is beyond their professional achievements.
Anyone who knows the person well can write this letter. Friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, or fellow volunteers make good character references because they can describe personal interactions.
These letters typically cover several key qualities:
- Honesty and integrity
- Reliability and dependability
- Kindness and compassion
- Work ethic and dedication
- Leadership abilities
The most effective letters remain brief (usually one page) and focus on positive attributes that relate to the situation. You might want to ask the person what qualities would be most helpful to emphasize.
Character reference letters differ from recommendation letters because they focus on who someone is rather than what they can do.
Character Reference Letter Examples
For a Job Application
When writing a character reference letter for a job application, focus on the person’s work ethic, reliability, and relevant skills.
Template Structure:
- Address to the hiring manager
- Explain your relationship with the applicant
- Describe specific qualities and skills relevant to the job
- Provide examples of these qualities in action
- Express willingness to answer further questions
- Include your contact information
Example:
To Whom It May Concern,
I have known Sarah Johnson for five years as her supervisor at Volunteer Central. Sarah consistently demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and dedication.
During our annual fundraiser, Sarah coordinated 30 volunteers and increased donations by 25% through her innovative approach. Her ability to remain calm under pressure and find creative solutions would make her an asset to your team.
Feel free to contact me at (555) 123-4567 for additional information.
Sincerely,
Michael Thompson Director,
Volunteer Central
For Academic Purposes
Academic reference letters should emphasize learning abilities, academic achievements, and potential for success in educational settings.
Template Structure:
- Address to the admissions committee
- Explain your relationship with the student
- Highlight academic strengths and learning style
- Mention extracurricular activities
- Describe personal qualities that contribute to academic success
- Offer a strong recommendation
Example:
To the Admissions Committee,
I taught Emma Davis in Advanced Biology for the past year and supervised her research project.
Emma displays exceptional analytical thinking and curiosity. When faced with complex concepts, she asks thoughtful questions and seeks additional resources to deepen her understanding.
Her research on local ecosystem conservation showed remarkable initiative. Emma designed her methodology independently and presented findings to the city council.
Emma balances academics with captain positions on the debate team and volunteers as a peer tutor. Her combination of intelligence, diligence, and eagerness to learn makes her an ideal candidate for your program.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jennifer Adams
Science Department Chair
For Volunteering Opportunities
Reference letters for volunteering should focus on compassion, reliability, and previous community service experience.
Template Structure:
- Address to the volunteer coordinator
- Describe your relationship with the applicant
- Highlight relevant qualities for volunteer work
- Provide examples of past helping behaviors
- Mention reliability and commitment
- Offer a recommendation
Example:
Dear Volunteer Coordinator,
I’ve known Mark Wilson for three years as his community center supervisor.
Mark demonstrates exceptional empathy when working with our elderly community members. He remembers personal details about each person and tailors activities to their abilities and interests.
During the pandemic, Mark organized a phone check-in system for isolated seniors. He never missed his shifts and often covered for others when needed.
Mark’s patience, reliability, and genuine care for others would make him an outstanding addition to your volunteer team. His passion for community service is evident in everything he does.
Warmly,
Patricia Johnson
Community Center Director
Key Components of a Character Reference Letter
1. Letterhead and Contact Information
The top portion of your letter should contain proper identification details. This establishes credibility and provides necessary contact information.
- Your full name should appear at the top of the page.
- Your address comes next, including street, city, state, and zip code.
- Include your phone number where you can be reached for follow-up questions.
- Add your email address for alternative contact methods.
- The current date should be clearly visible.
If writing in an official capacity, you might want to include your organization’s name or your professional title to add weight to your recommendation.
2. Salutation and Introduction
Begin with an appropriate greeting that sets a professional tone for your letter.
- “Dear Hiring Manager,” works when you don’t know the recipient’s name.
- “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name],” is appropriate when you know the specific recipient.
- “To Whom It May Concern:” can be used for general purposes like court submissions.
The opening paragraph should identify who you’re recommending and your relationship to them.
You could mention how long you’ve known the person to establish the depth of your connection.
State your purpose for writing the letter clearly, whether for a job, academic program, or legal matter.
3. Body of the Letter Describing Character Traits
This section forms the heart of your reference letter, highlighting specific qualities and examples.
Focus on relevant positive qualities such as honesty, reliability, work ethic, and teamwork abilities.
Examples
- “John consistently demonstrates exceptional integrity, shown when he returned a wallet he found with $500 intact.”
- “Sarah’s problem-solving skills shine in difficult situations, like when she mediated a conflict between two department heads.”
- “Michael’s dedication to community service is remarkable, volunteering over 200 hours at the local shelter last year.”
- “Emily shows natural leadership abilities, taking initiative to reorganize the filing system that saved our office 10 hours weekly.”
- “David’s patience and empathy make him an excellent teacher, as evidenced by the improvement in his students’ test scores.”
4. Closing Statements and Signature
The conclusion of your letter should leave a strong final impression and offer continued support. Reaffirm your endorsement with a clear statement of recommendation.
Examples
- “Based on my experience with Taylor, I confidently recommend her for this position.”
- “Kevin would be an outstanding addition to your graduate program, and he has my highest recommendation.”
- “Jennifer’s character makes her deserving of leniency in this legal matter.”
- “Robert’s integrity and work ethic would make him an asset to any organization.”
- “Aisha’s exceptional qualities will serve her well in her future endeavors, and I support her without reservation.”
Offer to provide additional information if needed, including your contact details again.
End with a professional closing such as “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” or “Regards,” followed by your signature and printed name.
Best Practices for Writing a Character Reference
A strong character reference comes from genuine familiarity with the person. You should have known them for at least six months to a year before writing a reference.
- Consider your relationship to the person. Family members, colleagues, teachers, or neighbors can all write references, but your connection affects your perspective.
- Reflect on specific examples that show their character. For example, instead of saying “Alex is helpful,” you might write “Alex volunteered 10 hours weekly at the community food bank.”
- Take notes about positive interactions you’ve had with them. These details make your letter more authentic and persuasive.
- Ask the person why they need the reference and what qualities would be most important to highlight. This helps you focus your letter on relevant traits.
Ensuring Authenticity
A genuine character reference makes a lasting impression. Generic letters quickly lose their impact compared to personalized ones.
To create an authentic reference:
- Share specific stories that demonstrate the person’s character
- Use your own voice rather than copying templates
- Include how long and in what capacity you’ve known the person
Good example: “I witnessed Sarah organize a fundraiser for our local shelter that raised $5,000, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and compassion.”
Poor example: “Sarah is a good person who helps others.”
Authenticity comes through when you describe real interactions and observations. Readers can tell when a letter contains firsthand knowledge versus vague statements.
Highlighting Transferable Skills
Character references become more valuable when they spotlight skills that apply across different environments.
Effective transferable skills to highlight:
- Problem-solving abilities
- Communication style
- Work ethic and reliability
- Team collaboration approach
Good example: “Tom’s ability to mediate conflicts helped resolve a significant dispute between two departments, saving countless hours of productivity.”
Poor example: “Tom is great at his job and would be a valuable asset to any company.”
You might want to connect personal qualities to practical situations. This helps the reader understand how these traits translate to success in different contexts.
Avoiding Overused Phrases
Character references lose impact when filled with clichรฉs and empty statements. Fresh language helps your letter stand out.
Common phrases to avoid:
- “To whom it may concern”
- “I am writing this letter to recommend”
- “Would be a valuable asset to your organization”
- “Hardworking and dedicated”
Good example: “Karen consistently arrived 30 minutes early to prepare materials for our volunteer sessions, ensuring smooth operations for everyone involved.”
Poor example: “Karen is a hardworking individual who always goes above and beyond.”
You can strengthen your letter by replacing generic terms with concrete examples. Specific behaviors and accomplishments tell a much more compelling story than standard phrases. This approach gives the reader a clear picture of the person’s character and potential contributions.