Character Reference Letter | Sample & How to Write
To write an effective character reference letter in support of an application for a job, internship, or program, you need to know the applicant well enough to convincingly highlight the personal qualities that make them a strong fit.
The best character references are tailored to the specific opportunity, focusing on the most relevant aspects of the applicant’s personality. A tool like QuillBot’s free AI writer can help you craft a persuasive, credible recommendation.
What is a character reference letter?
A character reference letter (aka personal reference letter) is a positive written statement about the personal qualities of a candidate or applicant written in a formal letter format.
Who asks for a character reference letter?
Potential employers may request a character reference letter as part of the job application process, particularly for positions where trustworthiness and integrity are especially important, or for entry-level roles and internships where candidates may not have prior work experience or professional references.
Character reference letters may also be a requirement for someone who’s applying to an educational program or trying to secure a rental lease.
What’s the purpose of a character reference letter?
The purpose of a character reference letter is to demonstrate that the applicant possesses key personal qualities such as reliability, responsibility, trustworthiness, honesty, and accountability. When submitted in support of a professional or academic application, it may also highlight traits such as independence, adaptability, strong interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and a solid work ethic.
Who writes a character reference letter?
Character references are typically written by someone who got to know the applicant well in a non-professional context. This could be an acquaintance, neighbor, mentor, coach, community leader, teacher, or volunteer supervisor.
Reading the posting for the opportunity and the applicant’s resume and cover letter may be useful (e.g., to remind you of their soft skills). But remember that the purpose of your letter is to vouch for their personal strengths rather than their performance at school or work.
How to write a character reference letter
You write character references in the format of a formal business letter. If you’re asked to provide a character reference for someone you know because you hold a position at an organization, school, group, or club, etc., using its official letterhead can help lend additional credibility.
| Your address and contact details | Including name, email address, and phone number (if not provided on letterhead) |
| Date | [Month] [Day], [Year] |
| The recipient’s name and address | Including job title if applicable |
| A formal salutation | For example:
|
| Introductory sentences |
|
| Body paragraphs | Specific examples of the person’s character and conduct—highlighting qualities such as honesty, reliability, responsibility, integrity, or empathy, depending on what’s most relevant to the situation |
| Closing sentences | These often include:
|
| Offer to provide further information | E.g., “Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional details.” |
| A formal close | E.g., “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” |
Sample character reference letter
Here is an example character reference letter that includes the elements listed in the table above.
1280 Harmony Avenue
Springfield, MA 99999
(555) 123-4567
[email protected]
July 23, 2025
Stephanie Mario
Recruitment Manager
Pines Forest School District
85 Willow Lane
Elk Valley, WY 88888
Dear Stephanie Mario:
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Mary Delgado for the school librarian opening in your district. I have had the pleasure of supervising Mary for over three years during her time as a regular volunteer at Kindlight Community Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to providing youth and family support services.
She first joined our volunteer team while still in high school and continued throughout her college years, showing remarkable dedication, maturity, and compassion beyond her age. As Volunteer Program Coordinator, I worked closely with her across a wide range of activities, including tutoring children, organizing reading spaces, and managing educational materials for our after-school programs.
Mary consistently impressed me with her warm, approachable nature and her ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. She was particularly drawn to literacy-focused initiatives, often leading informal story sessions and helping younger children gain confidence in their reading skills. Her calm demeanor and positive energy made her a trusted presence that both the children and fellow volunteers respected and relied upon.
Beyond her empathy, Mary is exceptionally responsible and organized. She regularly helped maintain our resource library and trained new volunteers on how to create a welcoming and respectful learning environment. Her attention to detail, clear communication, and reliability made her an invaluable part of our team.
Given her integrity, patience, and clear passion for education and literacy, I am confident that Mary Delgado would be an excellent addition to your school library team. She brings both the emotional intelligence and practical skills needed to support students in their learning journeys.
Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Janet Cerny
Volunteer Program Coordinator
Kindlight Community Outreach
Frequently asked questions about character reference letters
- What is a reference on a job application?
-
A reference on a job application is a person who can vouch for your qualifications, work ethic, and character. References can be past employers, colleagues, or professional mentors.
When listing references, be sure to include their name, job title, and contact information. It’s important to ask permission before listing someone as a reference. In your resume, cover letter, or letter of interest, highlight the skills that align with the role, and be ready to provide references if requested.
- Should I include “references available upon request” on a resume?
-
You should not include “references available upon request” on a resume.
This practice is considered outdated and takes up valuable space that could be better used to highlight your skills and experience.
You should also not include references on a resume. Instead, create a separate reference page to supplement your resume when requested.
Any document you send as part of a job application should be free of spelling and grammar errors, so run them through QuillBot’s Grammar Checker before sending.
- How do I list references in an email?
-
List references in an email by including the following information for each reference:
- Full name
- Job title
- Company name
- Company address
- Phone number
- Email address
- A short note about your relationship to the reference
Modern resume format recommends you don’t include references on a resume, so sending them in an email is a good alternative.
Before sending your email, make sure it is error-free with QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker.
- What is the difference between a letter of reference and a letter of recommendation?
-
The terms letter of reference and letter of recommendation are often used interchangeably.
In the U.S., however, a “letter of recommendation” typically refers to a letter written for a specific application (e.g., to college or graduate school) that is tailored to the opportunity in question. A “letter of reference,” on the other hand, usually refers to a general endorsement (e.g., written by a person’s employer when they leave a job) that can be used for multiple future applications.
Cite this Quillbot article
We encourage the use of reliable sources in all types of writing. You can copy and paste the citation or click the "Cite this article" button to automatically add it to our free Citation Generator.
Challenger, T. (2025, August 01). Character Reference Letter | Sample & How to Write. Quillbot. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from http://qbot.seotoolbuy.com/blog/professional-writing/character-reference-letter/
