Examples of a Character Reference Letter

Examples of a character reference letter can help an individual write a letter for a friend, relative or colleague. Character reference letters are designed to show the character of an individual. These are often used alongside a resume or with a college application. The goal is to show an individual's true character through facts, examples, and details.

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When approached and requested to write a character reference letter, the first question many people ask is about the contents. What goes into these letters and what is proper formatting? The best way to find out is to look at a few examples of these letters.

• BusinesBalls.com: This website offers some help for individuals who are looking for character reference letter options. Visit BusinessBalls.com to see some short examples written from various points of view.

• DocStoc.com: A good resource for examples is DocStoc.com. This website also offers other samples of reference letters, resumes and other business letters.

• GurusOfLaw.com: This website also offers examples to use. Be sure to personalize the articles as they do at GurusOfLaw.com in their samples.

You can also find examples of these letters at your local library or by contacting a professional writer who specializes in reference letters and resumes. They often have a wide range of resources available to you to use. While these examples are a great start, be sure to personalize the letters to ensure they are accurate.

Here is an example of a character reference letter. Use this as a basic guide, filling in a personal story or unique experience for the individual you are writing the letter.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am happy to tell you about my friend, James. I am honored that he asked me to write this letter on his behalf. James and I have known each other since high school, when we met on the football team.

I want to share with you a unique experience James and I have shared. James has always been a leader, the type of individual to go to great lengths to help others. About two years ago, James came to me asking for help. He asked me if I would collaborate with him to help a few families who had recently lost their jobs and were in need of some home repair. We spent eight weekends fixing up the homes of these individuals. I was inspired by James's ability to notice the problem and find a way to solve it. This is the type of person James has always been.

I can vouch for James's ability to lead others, to go the extra mile and to find a way to get through the worst of circumstances on top. He is dedicated and honest, reliable and responsible.

Thank you, Brad Jones

Some websites provide you with basic character reference letters, which can be used by you. These generic letters may be used by nearly anyone by making a few changes. When using these types of samples, keep the following things in mind.

• Always personalize the title and greeting. Print off a copy of the character letter for each person you are sending it and include the reader's name (or the company's name) on the letter.

• Place a personal story in the sample. You want to ensure that the letter offers a personal example of why the individual is a great person to work with or why they will do well in college.

• Keep the letter short. Paragraphs should be short and to the point. This is what will most likely be read.

• Know your source. Is the reference letter professionally written? Ensure that the sample you use is one that you would be proud to hand to a potential boss.

• Never copy and paste from the web. Even those samples you can easily customize should have tweaking to keep them original. Some employers scan the web for duplicates or may have seen the same response before.

Sample character reference letters are a great tool. These letters are a great way to showcase skills and leadership qualities. Examples should always be as authentic as possible.

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