Letter Samples for Character References

Reviewing letter samples for character reference is a good idea. Whether you are the person who wants a reference or you have been asked to write one, you can find out what kind of information this form of communication should contain.

A Good Candidate

Unlike an employment reference letter, a character reference letter is written by someone who knows the subject of the letter personally. They may have experience working with the individual, but more than likely, they have gotten to know him or her through other means. The character reference letter can be written by someone who knows the individual well enough to describe what kind of person they are.

Here are some examples of the kinds of people who could write a character reference letter for someone:

• Teacher
• Principal
• Athletic Coach
• Scout Leader/Girl Guides Leader
• Academic Adviser
• Professor
• Customer
• Vendor
• Friend
• Neighbor
• Member of the Clergy

Anyone who you are acquainted with who feels they know you well enough to comment on what kind of person you are is a good choice for writing a character reference letter.

A person who is looking for their first job may need a character reference letter. They may have limited employment experience, and asking for a personal reference is a good way to show a prospective employer that they would make a good employee.

Even a person who has been working for awhile can benefit from a character reference letter. It provides a prospective employer with more information about the kind of person they are and can be used to supplement a letter of recommendation written by a former employer.

There are several online resources that have letter samples for character references for Internet users. Review them carefully to see how they are set up and what kind of language is used in them. They should be used a general guide only. A character reference letter should describe the person who is the subject of the correspondence very specifically. 


• Catalogs.com has examples of character reference letters. Visitors to the site can see exactly how to set one up correctly, as well as get suggestions for the kinds of adjectives that may be used to describe the subject of the letter.
• BoxFreeConcepts.com takes a different approach to sample character reference letters. This site provides writing tips for people who have been asked to compose a character reference letter, as well as sample letters that can be used for specific kinds of recommendations. Letters written for a relative, a babysitter, and a neighbor are posted on the site. Additional samples are available for a fee.
• BusinessBalls.com has an example of a character reference letter that is very easy to follow. The site visitor is taken through the text in a step-by-step manner so that they can write a letter quite easily.
• The Troy City Schools web site has posted some simple examples of character reference letters. If you want to see a basic example, this is a good place to start.

No one should write a character reference letter if they don't feel comfortable doing so. If you don't feel you know the subject of the letter well enough to describe their personal characteristics, then you can politely decline the request. On the other hand, if you are hesitant about writing the letter because you don't know what to say, the sample character reference letters on the sites listed above should help.

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