If you’ve been asked to write a character reference for someone who’s applying for a job, it can be difficult to know where to start. But with the right format and wording, you can create a letter that will help your friend, colleague or acquaintance land the job they want.
In this article, we’ve put together a character reference template for job letters. We’ll give you some tips on writing and editing your letter, and provide you with several examples that you can use as a starting point. Whether you’re new to writing letters of this kind, or you’re a seasoned pro, we hope you’ll find the information here helpful.
Character Reference Template for Job: Introduction
A character reference letter is a document that provides a potential employer with information about a job candidate’s character and abilities. It can be written by anyone who knows the candidate well and can provide an honest, positive appraisal of them. If you’ve been asked to write a character reference letter for someone, it’s important to take the responsibility seriously and ensure that your letter is well-written and accurate.
Character Reference Template for Job: Explanation
When writing a character reference letter, it’s important to keep a few key points in mind. First, you should be honest and truthful in your assessment of the candidate. Second, you should focus on the candidate’s strengths, rather than their weaknesses. Finally, you should provide specific examples to back up your claims about the candidate’s character and abilities. Doing so will help your letter stand out and will give the potential employer a better understanding of what the candidate has to offer.
When writing a character reference letter, you may find it helpful to look at examples of letters that others have written. There are many templates and examples available online, which you can use as a starting point for your own letter. You can use these examples as a guide to help you structure your letter, and you can edit them as needed to fit your own situation.
Character Reference Template for Job: Examples
Character Reference Template for Job: Hospitality Industry
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend [Candidate’s Name] for a position in the hospitality industry. I have known [Candidate’s Name] for [Number of Years], and during that time, I have seen firsthand their dedication to providing excellent customer service and their ability to work well under pressure.
[Candidate’s Name] is a skilled communicator who is able to put customers at ease and make them feel welcome. Additionally, [he/she] is detail-oriented and able to keep track of multiple tasks at once, making [him/her] an asset to any team. I am confident that [Candidate’s Name] would make an excellent addition to your team, and I wholeheartedly recommend [him/her] for the position.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Character Reference Template for Job: Sales Position
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to recommend [Candidate’s Name] for a sales position at your company. I have had the pleasure of working with [Candidate’s Name] for [Number of Years], and during that time, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] sales skills and ability to build strong relationships with clients.
[Candidate’s Name] has a natural talent for sales, and [he/she] is able to quickly identify clients’ needs and offer solutions that meet those needs. [He/She] is also a skilled negotiator who is able to close deals effectively. Additionally, [he/she] is a team player who is always willing to help out colleagues and share [his/her] knowledge and expertise.
I believe that [Candidate’s Name] would make an excellent addition to your sales team, and I enthusiastically recommend [him/her] for the position. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or require additional information.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Character Reference Template for Job: Teaching Position
Dear Hiring Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Candidate’s Name] for a teaching position at your school. I have had the pleasure of working with [Candidate’s Name] for [Number of Years], and during that time, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] passion for teaching and dedication to [his/her] students.
[Candidate’s Name] is a talented teacher who is able to connect with students and create a positive learning environment. [He/She] is also committed to ensuring that every student in [his/her] class receives the support and guidance they need to succeed. Additionally, [he/she] is a team player who is always willing to collaborate with colleagues and share [his/her] knowledge and expertise.
I believe that [Candidate’s Name] would make an excellent addition to your teaching staff, and I wholeheartedly recommend [him/her] for the position. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Character Reference Template for Job: Administrative Assistant Position
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend [Candidate’s Name] for an administrative assistant position at your company. I have known [Candidate’s Name] for [Number of Years], and during that time, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] organizational skills and ability to multitask.
[Candidate’s Name] is a detail-oriented individual who is able to keep track of multiple tasks and projects at once. [He/She] is also a skilled communicator who is able to interact effectively with clients and colleagues alike. Additionally, [he/she] is a team player who is always willing to help out in any way [he/she] can.
I believe that [Candidate’s Name] would make an excellent addition to your administrative staff, and I wholeheartedly recommend [him/her] for the position. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or require additional information.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Character Reference Template for Job: IT Position
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend [Candidate’s Name] for an IT position at your company. I have worked with [Candidate’s Name] for [Number of Years], and during that time, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] technical skills and ability to problem-solve.
[Candidate’s Name] is a talented IT professional who is able to troubleshoot technical issues and find solutions quickly and effectively. [He/She] is also a creative thinker who is able to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems. Additionally, [he/she] is a team player who is always willing to help out colleagues and share [his/her] knowledge and expertise.
I believe that [Candidate’s Name] would make an excellent addition to your IT team, and I wholeheartedly recommend [him/her] for the position. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Character Reference Template for Job: Customer Service Position
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend [Candidate’s Name] for a customer service position at your company. I have worked with [Candidate’s Name] for [Number of Years], and I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] ability to provide outstanding customer service.
[Candidate’s Name] is a skilled communicator who is able to put customers at ease and make them feel valued. [He/She] is also a problem-solver who is able to find creative solutions to customer issues. Additionally, [he/she] is a team player who is always willing to help out colleagues and share [his/her] knowledge and expertise.
I believe that [Candidate’s Name] would make an excellent addition to your customer service team, and I enthusiastically recommend [him/her] for the position. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or require additional information.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Character Reference Template for Job: Tips
How to Write a Character Reference Letter for a Job
When writing a character reference letter for a job, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Be honest and truthful in your assessment of the candidate.
- Focus on the candidate’s strengths, rather than their weaknesses.
- Provide specific examples to back up your claims about the candidate’s character and abilities.
- Use a formal, professional tone in your letter.
- Proofread your letter carefully to check for errors or typos.
Character Reference Template for Job: Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in a character reference letter?
In your character reference letter, you should include information about the candidate’s character and abilities. This might include details about their work ethic, communication skills, ability to work under pressure, and any specific achievements or accomplishments that you’re aware of. You should also include your own contact information, so that the potential employer can get in touch with you if they have any questions or require additional information.
How do I address the letter?
You should address the character reference letter to the hiring manager or person responsible for making the hiring decision. If you’re not sure who this is, you can address the letter “To Whom It May Concern.” Make sure to include the date and your contact information at the top of the letter as well.
What is the ideal length for a character reference letter?
A character reference letter should be no more than one page long. You should aim to keep your letter concise and to the point, while still providing enough information to give the potential employer an accurate sense of the candidate’s character and abilities. Be sure to proofread your letter carefully to ensure that it’s free of errors and typos.
Can I use a character reference letter for multiple job applications?
While you can certainly use the same basic template for multiple character reference letters, it’s important to customize each letter to fit the specific job and employer that the candidate is applying to. Take the time to research the company and the job requirements, and tailor your letter accordingly.
Do I need to sign the letter?
Yes, you should sign your character reference letter. This will help to authenticate the letter and show that you stand behind the information that you’ve provided.
What should I do if I don’t feel comfortable writing a character reference letter?
If you’re not comfortable writing a character reference letter for someone, it’s important to be honest about this. You don’t want to provide a letter that’s not accurate or that doesn’t reflect your true feelings about the candidate. Instead, you might consider suggesting that the candidate find another reference who knows them better or who is more comfortable writing a letter of recommendation.
Conclusion
Writing a character reference letter for a job can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and guidance, you can create a letter that will help your friend, colleague or acquaintance stand out from the crowd. By following our template and tips, and using our examples as a starting point, you’ll be able to create a letter that accurately reflects the candidate’s character and abilities, and that will help them land the job they want.