Writing a Character Reference for a Friend

From LoveToKnow Business

Are you looking for information about writing a character reference for a friend?

About Writing a Character Reference for a Friend

A character reference letter is a formal document that provides information about the personal integrity of a particular individual, from the perspective of someone who has a personal relationship with the person the letter is about. Employers and lenders often request character reference letters as part of the formal application process. These types of letters tend to be less formal and more personal than employment reference letters, but they often weigh heavily in hiring and financial decision-making processes.

Before agreeing to write a character reference letter, consider whether or not you are comfortable making a formal statement about the person. Character references are very important, and it will be better for you to turn down the request than to fail to comply or do a poor job. If you agree to write a character reference for someone, it's important for you to take the task seriously. The quality of the letter you write can have a significant impact on your friend's ability to gain employment or secure funding necessary to start or expand their business. Make sure the letter is well written, and proofread carefully before finalizing the document.

One of the reasons that characters references are so important is the fact that many companies have policies prohibiting their managers from providing detailed references for former employees. Employers and lenders can't expect to receive much from applicants previous employers in the way of references. Typically, employment references are limited to confirmation of dates of employment, positions held, and whether or not an individual is eligible for rehire. To get any depth of information about what an applicant is really like, character references are a must.

Parts of a Character Reference Letter

Some companies will provide applicants with character reference forms that need to be completed. Others simply ask for a letter, without providing specific details about exactly what is to be included. Whether you are asked to create your own letter or to complete a standard form, certain information needs to be included in any character reference.

At a minimum, when writing a character reference for a friend, information you will need to provide includes:

Your name and contact information
How long you have known the person the letter is about
In what capacity you know the individual
Your opinion of the individual's integrity, reliability, and individuals
Whether or not you are comfortable recommending the individual for the position or financing opportunity he or she is seeking
Additional information about the individual

In addition to basic facts about your friend's character, you may be asked to provide information about any knowledge that you have about problems the person has had in the past as well as positive things that you may know about him or her.

Sample Character Reference Letters

Before writing your friend's character reference letter, it's a good idea for you to look at examples of other similar documents. While you don't need to copy a letter that has been written about someone else, you can get great ideas from reviewing sample letter templates.