Reference Letter Template 2021: Top 9 Tips And Guides For An Effective Writing That You Must Know Right Now!

What Is A Personal Or Character Reference Letter?

A character or personal reference letter is a letter produced by a job candidate's contact and sent to employers as proof of the candidate's personal characteristics. It's usually from the point of view of someone who hasn't worked with the candidate professionally but can speak to his or her talents and character, such as a coach, volunteer leader, or family friend.

This provides companies with insight into an applicant's personality and characteristics, which aids in determining if the individual is a suitable match for the company. Employers may require candidates to submit a personal reference with their applications in specific situations. Employers may also request references before to or after interviews, or as the final step before making a job offer.

How Do You Write A Reference Letter?

Employers can get a third-party description of a candidate's personal qualities and character features through a character reference letter. While resumes and other application papers emphasize professional qualifications, a character or "personal" reference letter focuses on qualities that help someone do successfully in a job. Consider the following suggestions and examples when deciding who to contact for a character reference or seeking guidance on how to write an effective character reference letter for someone else.

All personal reference letters should include the following five elements:

Begin By Describing Your Connection To The Candidate

What kind of background do you have on the candidate? Make your statement as detailed as possible. "I helped with John constructing homes for Habitat for Humanity," for example, or "Mandy lives next door to my family and is the babysitter for my children."

Include The Amount Of Time You've Known The Candidate

How long have you known this individual? "I've known Roberto for almost six years, including two years in business school with him," for example, or "Julia and I have worked together for four years."

Include Concrete Instances Of Positive Personal Characteristics

At least three personal traits that would assist the employer better understand the individual and how they would benefit the organization should be mentioned. Dedication, communication skills, leadership talents, a good attitude, efficiency, quality commitment, and other essential soft skills are examples of these traits.

Finish With A Strong Endorsement

Your recommendation should be stated in your final statement. "For these reasons, I suggest Susan for this position and believe she would be a valuable contribution to any business," for example.

Include Your Contact Information

At least two pieces of contact information, such as your email address and phone number, should be included.

Tips For Writing A Strong Reference Letter

Here are a few things to bear in mind whether you're requesting someone to write a letter for you or writing one yourself:

Positive Letters Of Recommendation Are Preferred

This is not the place to make a list of a person's personal or professional flaws. Candidates should only choose references they are certain can speak favorably of them, and references should only agree to speak to the contact's finest qualities if they believe they can honestly do so.

It's Critical To Provide Specific Instances

While a list of traits is useful, employers benefit from specific examples that support and demonstrate these qualities. This allows employers to better understand how a candidate would behave in various real-life circumstances.

The Greatest Letters Are Short And To-The-Point

Personal references, in most circumstances, should not exceed one page. Remember that recruiters and hiring managers are busy people who may be considering multiple applicants. Employers will read your letters if you keep them descriptive but succinct.

Private Information Should Be Avoided

The reference letter should not go into depth regarding a candidate's personal difficulties or other personal concerns that they may not want their future employer to know about.

When Is It Appropriate To Request A Character Reference?

Employers, institutions, volunteer opportunities, and professional groups may seek character reference letters.

If an employer does not require a character reference when you apply for a job, you have the option of providing one. If you're entering the job market for the first time and don't have any professional references to give, or if you've been out of the field for a few years, additional information can help.

Who Should You Approach For A Character Reference?

Anyone in your personal network who can speak to your best qualities can serve as a character reference. You may also select someone from your professional network who is familiar with you (other than an employer).

Here are some persons that make excellent character references:

Coworker

Co-volunteer or volunteer leader

Coach

Client or customer

Vendor or business acquaintance

Professor or academic advisor

Personal or professional mentor

Fellow student or graduate from an educational program

Neighbor or friend

It's advisable to avoid selecting anybody with whom you have a family connection, such as your husband or in-laws. Family members' references are frequently not regarded as impartial, and they are unlikely to be taken as seriously as a reference from a teacher or coworker.

Also, make sure the individual you pick can speak to your qualifications in relation to the job or sector. Provide the job description and your current résumé to assist them prepare, and let them know as soon as feasible. Thank someone who has provided you with a character reference with a thank you message or email.

Choosing the appropriate character reference may make a big difference in whether or not you get farther in the recruiting process. If you've been asked to be a reference, carefully craft your letter to emphasize the good traits your contact may bring to a company. While a resume's professional abilities and work experience are crucial, an employer's ultimate choice is also influenced by a candidate's personality, character, and soft skills.

How Do You Write A Reference Letter In Australia?

Have you had a good relationship with your previous employer? If the answer is yes, seize the opportunity and request a job reference!

Employers frequently use written references to evaluate candidates, especially if you have no prior experience in Australia. A letter of recommendation is frequently required as part of your application.

Check out the sample letter of recommendation below and mail it to your old bosses! If you have a reference letter from a prior employer in your nation that is written in your native tongue, just translate it and attach it to the original.

Company Name: Address:

Date.

To whom it may concern.

I hereby confirm that Ms./Mr. ...

Ms./Mr. is a quick learner, bright, hard-working and has a wonderful attitude. ...

Best regards,

Signature.

Name and Position.

What Reference Letter Should Include?

If you've been asked to write a letter of recommendation for work or an academic program, you might be unsure about what to include and what to leave out.

Recommendation letters are important. According to a poll conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, counselor and teacher letters were given greater weight in the college applications process than class rank or extracurricular activities.

A letter of recommendation may give more information—and make a better impression—than just providing a list of references for a potential employer to contact in a job search.

There is, however, a correct and incorrect method to write these letters. You'll need to create a paper that's both an endorsement and a pitch to assist your colleague, direct report, or student in achieving their objectives. This is how you do it.

Context

A recommendation letter should include information about you, your relationship with the person you're suggesting, why they're qualified, and the talents they possess.

Specifics

It's best if you can offer particular examples and stories to demonstrate your support. Instead of just mentioning that a candidate is an excellent writer, add that they have written a prize-winning article. Mention any awards or special accolades that someone has received for their achievements.

A Fit Between The Job Criteria And The Abilities Of The Candidate

Your objective is to create a compelling recommendation that will aid in the hiring or acceptance of the individual you're suggesting. The recommendation letter should include information on how the candidate's abilities complement the position they are applying for when drafting a specific letter suggesting a candidate for a specific job opportunity.

Tip: Request a copy of the job ad as well as a copy of the person's résumé so that you may tailor your recommendation letter. In your recommendation, try to incorporate keywords from the job posting.

Your contact information should be included in the letter in case you need to follow up. Finally, be ready to respond to inquiries regarding your support for the candidate.

How to Write a Reference Letter

Format Of A Letter Of Recommendation

This recommendation letter templateoutlines the format of a standard recommendation letter, as well as what should be included in each paragraph.

Name And Address Of The Writer

Your Name

Job Title

Company

Street Address

City, State Zip Code

Date

Salutation

Include a salutation if you're writing a personal recommendation letter (Dear Dr. Williams, Dear Ms. Miller, etc.). If you're writing a generic letter, simply write "To Whom it May Concern" or leave the salutation blank.

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

The first paragraph of the recommendation letter describes the letter's objective as well as your relationship with the person you're recommending, stating how and for how long you've known them.

Paragraph 2 – Details

The second paragraph of the recommendation letter provides information unique to the individual you're writing about, such as why they're qualified and what they can contribute. Use more than one paragraph to offer details if necessary. When feasible, include specific instances that demonstrate to the person's qualifications.

Paragraph 3 – Summary

A brief description of why you are suggesting the individual is included in this part of the recommendation letter. Say something like "strongly recommend" or "recommend without reservation" or anything like.

Paragraph 4 – Conclusion

The recommendation letter concludes with an invitation to supply more information. Within this paragraph, you may put a phone number. A phone number and email address can also be included in the return address section or signature of the letter.

Letter Closing

Finish your letter with your name and title, as well as a professional letter closure. Include your signature beneath your typed name if mailing a physical copy of the letter:

Sincerely,

Signature (for hard copy letter)

Writer Name

Job Title

Important: While letter templates are excellent starting points for your own message, you should always tailor a letter to your specific circumstances. You can also look at sample recommendation letters to see how they're written so you can write your own.

How Do You Write A Short Letter Of Recommendation?

Writing a letter of Recommendation/Formal letter writing/Neat handwriting/Job Reference Letter

Basic Letter Of Recommendation

[Today’s Date]

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./To Whom it May Concern],

I am writing to recommend [full name of person you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].

I have known [the person you’re recommending] since [date] as [capacity in which you’ve known the person, i.e. “good friend,” “co-worker,” etc.].

I have always known [the person you’re recommending] to be [qualities the person has, such as “honest,” “loyal,” “hard-working”].

Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [person you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].

Sincerely,

[Your Name + Signature]

Keep your recommendation letter short and to-the-point. A multi-page letter is the last thing anyone wants. The hiring manager or recipient of the letter will want to know who you are, how you know the candidate, and why you are suggesting them.

![Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [person you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].](reference-letter-template.jpg "reference letter template")

Personal Or Character Letter Of Recommendation

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./To Whom it May Concern],

I am writing to recommend [full name of person you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].

I have known [person you’re recommending] for [number of months or years] as a [friend, coach, neighbor, etc].

From my experience, [the person you’re recommending] is [qualities the person has, such as “honest,” “kind,” ``easy to work with,” etc].

One example of [his/her] character is when [he/she] was [something specific he/she did that showed character].

Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [what you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending the person for].

Sincerely,

[Your Name + Signature]

Academic Letter Of Recommendation

[Today’s Date]

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./To Whom it May Concern],

I am writing to recommend [full name of the student you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].

I have known [Person you’re recommending] for [number of semesters, months or years]. [He/She] has been a student in my [list of classes your student has taken] classes. We’ve also worked on [any other projects you’ve worked on together].

I have always known [the person you’re recommending] to be [qualities the student has, such as “a dedicated student,” “hard-working”].

I was especially impressed with [his/her] work on [specific task or project performed] where [he/she] was able to [something specific he/she accomplished].

Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [what you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending the student for].

Sincerely,

[Your Name + Signature]

About The Authors

Steve Martins- I am a certified graphic designer and I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communication Design. I worked with many brands like Uniqlo and Huawei but also independent smaller Barcelonian brands like Caravelle and Madrid’s Hola Coffee and I have completed over 2000 projects in the last 5 years.