Download these 38 Free Sample Personal/Character Reference Letters (MS Word) to help you in preparing your own Reference Letter quickly.

A Character or Personal Reference Letter is a document written to appraise a prospect’s personal attributes usually outside of a work environment. Though it can be used in landing a job, it is commonly required for non-employment pursuits. It is also known as a personal recommendation. It is more specifically designed towards discussing candidate’s personality.

Benefits of a Personal/Character Reference Letter

A good Character Reference Letter from the right person can put you in a good position for a job and employment offers that you normally won’t be able to get on your own. It can help you close an employment gap ensuring an employer’s trust is renewed or created in you. This is particularly important when you have been out of job for a couple of months creating a huge employment gaps.

It is also important where the employer desires a particular character for an opening. Not too many people will agree to not having the required character for a job but when you have a trusted character reference proving that you actually have it, you stand a better chance. A Personal Reference Letter of the employer can help the right person to have quality information about your background and upbringing. It will also help you create networks and opportunities you will ordinarily be incapable of making by yourself.

Tips for Writing Personal/Character Reference Letters

Even though Personal Reference Letters are issued to highlight non-formal, positive personal attributes of an individual, but it is usually written formally. As stated earlier, it can be used to consider the bearer for formal opportunities and jobs. The following points will help you design a good Character/Personal Reference Letter.

For a start, the best Characters Reference Letters are always written in a personal and intimate way that tells the reader to have a clear cut understanding of the subject of the letter. Before you start writing, you need to clearly figure out the traits and attributes you intend to use in the letter to promote about the bearer.

The first part is the Opening Session. This session should state that you are pleased to write the letter for the bearer and relate how and when you have known the bearer. The second part is the Body Session. This is the major part of the number that will be used to outline the intended traits you wish to promote about the person. This should show the person’s good qualities. It is important to be deliberate and carefully push the attributes needed for the bearer.

The traits intended can be like: committed, loyal, devoted, courteous, polite, ambitious, wants to learn and grow, creative, a problem-solver, good listener, good communicator, fair-minded, honest, trustworthy, organized, methodical, orderly, hardworking, diligent, industrious and people oriented, easy going, team player, etc.

At the end comes the Closing Session of the Personal or Character Reference Letter. This is the last part as well as the closing part. This session reinforces/restates what you’ve already stated about the subject. This helps to show that your initial view about the bearer is placed beyond doubt and you can also use it to express your desire to give further information when required.