Character references: 4 tips for a successful recommendation letter

After you nail your job interview, you might send a follow-up email and continue researching the company to get up to speed. 

While you wait on an answer, the hiring manager still has some work to do. They might ask you for references to contact for objective opinions about your experience, skill set, and personality. These could be either professional references or character references.

While both types of references speak to your capabilities and professional potential, they offer slightly different perspectives. Professional references consider your performance at previous jobs, and character references speak more to your personality and character traits.

Choosing a character reference requires the same careful attention as the rest of your job search process. Before reaching out to someone in your life, let’s explore the value of a character reference, what hiring managers are looking for, and what they can expect. 

What are character references?

A character reference, also known as a personal reference, is a person who can speak about your reputation, personality, and character when you’re applying for a job. They’re different from professional references, who can confirm your job-specific professional knowledge and skills. 

Imagine that you’re applying for a teaching position. A professional reference, like a previous manager, can confirm your ability to manage a classroom, create engaging and effective lesson plans, and communicate concepts that students understand. That information will tell a hiring manager whether you can complete your job tasks effectively. 

A character reference, like a mentor or community leader, can speak to your ethical values, sense of purpose, and life goals. The information a character reference provides speaks to important transferable soft skills, like your communication skills and teamwork skills, that let a hiring manager know if you’ll fit into the company culture and organizational vision.

Should I include character references on a resume? 

You don’t have to put character references on your resume unless the application specifically asks you to, which is rare. Hiring managers want resumes to show whether you have the skills, experience, and know-how that match the roles and responsibilities of the job. Based on that assessment alone, they’ll decide to extend a job interview invitation. 

Individual hiring managers are more likely to request professional and character references during the final stages of the interview process. They want to confirm what they already know and check that you are who you say you are. 

Asking for character references is most common when you don’t already have a lot of work experience or are applying for a job that requires strong character traits, like honesty or integrity. If a hiring manager doesn’t specify what type of reference they want from you, they’re likely asking for a professional reference, not a character reference. Ask them to clarify if you’re unsure. 

Even if you’ve never been asked to provide a reference before, it’s good to prepare a list of potential professional and character references while you’re applying for jobs. That way, if a potential employer asks for any kind of reference, you already know who to reach out to.

Who can provide a character reference?

Someone who knows you well outside of work can provide a character reference. 

Remember that hiring managers might be more likely to trust the opinion of someone who isn’t emotionally close to you. Family members, family friends, and close friends may be able to speak highly of you, but their opinions likely lack the impartiality hiring managers seek. 

Take some time to write a list of people who can speak genuinely about your positive attributes based on their personal experiences with you. Think of people who you know are comfortable speaking professionally. And if you can, choose someone based on the specificities of the job. 

For example, if you’re applying for a managerial position that requires strong people management skills and leadership qualities, you want to choose someone who has seen you lead or make important decisions, like a community service coordinator or career coach. 

Here are some examples of character references a hiring manager will trust:

• An academic advisor, professor, tutor, or teaching assistant
• A career or life coach
• A career counselor, mentor, or sponsor
• Community leaders
• Colleagues, coworkers, or peers who know you on a personal level

Write a shortlist of potential character references and narrow it down from there. You might want to reach out to a few different people in case someone says no or isn’t available.

How to choose a character reference

A good character reference could be the last step to landing your dream job, so it’s important to choose the right person and communicate with them effectively. Here are a few tips to get character references that persuade recruiters you’re the right candidate:

1. Pick someone trustworthy: Carefully think about the people you trust who’ve spent significant time with you. Just because someone has witnessed your skills doesn’t mean they’ll be a good reference. You should choose a person who likes you and will tell the truth when a hiring manager asks for their input. 

2. Keep it formal: Pick someone who has experience giving recommendations or can speak about you in a professional tone. Even if your relationship with them is casual, the reference should be professional. Make this clear when you’re approaching the person.

3. Consider the timing: Choose a person who has the time and energy to act as a reference. Give them a heads-up on when to expect an email or phone call from a hiring manager.

   You might also have to ask them to write a letter of reference, so give them enough time to do so before you have to send it to your prospective employer. And if you know you’re starting a job hunt, ask someone to be a reference before you even apply so they can prepare accordingly.

4 reasons character references are important

Choosing professional references is usually straightforward. You’ll most likely include supervisors from your most recent job who can speak about your current skill level and experience. But picking the right character references may not be as obvious. You’re looking at a broader pool of people, and there isn’t always a singular, clear choice.

Understanding what hiring managers are looking for and what character references should provide is a good place to start. Here are some ways these references contribute to the hiring process:

Describe your well-roundedness

Professional references from managers and supervisors provide valuable information about how effectively you work, but might not always describe your personality in-depth. A character reference from a close peer, client, or mentor gives stronger insight into the values and personality traits that could make you a fit within a company culture or mission.

Focus on soft skills

Nearly 90% of hiring managers say that hires that didn’t work out lacked important soft skills. If they ask for a character reference, they want to be extra sure that you have the interpersonal skills and personality to excel and fit into the team dynamic. 

Back intuition with reputation

First impressions matter, but even the most experienced hiring manager can misjudge someone’s character. Most people only need 1/10th of a second to judge someone based on appearance, and interview biases can cloud their immediate thoughts.

A personal reference letter could disprove a hiring manager’s negative impression or confirm they can trust their gut if they already think you’re the right candidate.

Offer an alternative to professional references

A potential employer may ask for more than one employment reference, especially if you don’t have a lot of work experience or can’t offer a professional reference. If you’re brand new to the workforce, quit your previous job, or are returning to work after a long career gap, a character reference is a good alternative option to provide.

How to write a character reference letter

Whether you’re writing a character reference or asking someone to write one for you, it should fit the same general rules of any other communication at work: short, informative, and cordial. 

Consider breaking the letter of reference down into three clear sections:

1. Introduction: Start with a brief introduction that explains the relationship between the applicant and the reference. Describe the nature of the relationship and how and when it started.

2. Explanation: Provide specific experiences that demonstrate positive skills and personality traits. Be sure to include the types of soft skills the job description asks for, and skip ones that aren’t as relevant to save space. 

3. Sign off: Provide contact details like an email, phone number, and the time of day a hiring manager can reach out if they have further questions. 

Here’s an example of a reference letter:

Dear [hiring manager’s name], 

I hope you’re well! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about Margaret. 

I’ve been managing our community garden since 2012, and I met Margaret in 2017 when she started volunteering there. Since then, we’ve worked together nearly every weekend, growing vegetables and distributing them to local families in need. 

Margaret is an inspiring person. She leads with kindness, curiosity, and empathy and does everything with a smile. She’s a fantastic problem-solver as well. One summer, our garden had a bug infestation, and Margaret spent a weekend researching the problem and called upon the community to help get rid of the pests. She’s a valuable member of our group and neighborhood as a whole. 

I have no doubts about recommending her. Any team will be lucky to have someone with her work ethic and collaborative spirit. 

Please let me know if you have any further questions. You can call me on my cell phone anytime: [cell number]. 

Best regards, 

[Your name] 

Extra tips for getting a good character reference

A hiring manager might ask you for a reference for a specific position, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put in the effort beforehand. Here’s how to ask for a character reference and get a successful recommendation:

1. Be proactive: Ask for a letter of reference when you leave a job so you don’t have to do it later. You could request a professional recommendation, a character reference, or a more informal recommendation on your LinkedIn profile.

   If you do give a pre-written letter to a hiring manager, inform the reference beforehand, confirm their contact information, and ask for a quick update that better reflects the job description. 

2. Prep your reference: Tell your character reference some key elements of the job you’re applying for, including the skills, experiences, and knowledge that your potential employer wants to see. If you can, remind them of specific experiences that might be beneficial to share.

3. Provide them with a template: If you have a specific type of letter in mind, share it with your reference. Send them tips for writing a professional email, or give them a character reference template to simplify the process.

   They’ll appreciate the extra help if they don't have much experience writing professional letters.

4. Show gratitude: Taking the time to write a reference letter or answer a phone call is a kind gesture. Your reference is taking time out of their day to help you. Be sure to show your appreciation with a thank you note or personal phone call.

Choose references wisely

Character references are just one part of the job search, but they’re a key piece of the puzzle. A good character reference can assert your positive reputation, provide valuable insights about your personality, and convince a hiring manager that they’re making the right choice by hiring you. 

Think carefully about who can give the best recommendation for the job, coach them on what your potential employer is looking for, and let them support you in the job search. If you choose well and provide them with the right tools and resources, you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job.