A character reference letter, also known as a personal reference letter, is a statement that testifies to your positive attributes. In the UK, employers usually request it to assess whether you’re a good candidate for the position, especially if you lack work experience; unlike a professional reference letter, it focuses on your personality traits rather than job performance.
In this article, we’ll explain when and how to write these letters and share three sample character reference letters for the UK job market you can use for inspiration.
Let’s begin!
Key Takeaways
You may need a character reference when looking for a job, internship, or volunteering opportunities, especially if you lack experience.
To write a compelling character reference letter, greet the hiring manager directly, clarify your relationship with the applicant, and add examples to illustrate their positive qualities.
The main dos of character reference letter writing include keeping it concise, professional, and relevant, whereas some don'ts include lying, criticising the applicant, and being vague.
When and Why Do You Need a Character Reference?
You need a character reference when you need someone to vouch for your personal qualities, which may happen if you’re applying for a job, internship, or volunteering opportunities. Sometimes, you may need one during legal proceedings, such as courts, or when looking to rent a property.
If you’re looking for a job, writing a CV and a cover letter may only be one part of the application process; you may also be asked to attach a letter of reference.
Keep in mind that there’s a difference between character references and professional references; because a character reference centres on your personal attributes, it should be written by someone from your network who knows you well as a person, not necessarily a professional.
Here are some people you can ask to write you a character reference letter:
Who to Ask for a Character Reference
Friend
Landlord
Professor
Neighbour
Academic adviser
Client or customer
Club or organisation members or leaders
Most often, British recruiters ask for a character reference when you have little to no work experience. For example, if you’re a recent graduate or a career changer, this letter may help them better understand your potential and suitability for the role.
That said, employers increasingly see cultural fit as a key factor in talent acquisition. As such, they may request a character reference to determine how well you’d fit within their company culture, even if you have years of relevant work experience.
On this note, let’s discuss how to write a character reference letter for a job application.
How to Write a Character Reference Letter
To write a character reference letter, you have to know the person you’re vouching for well enough to be able to describe their best qualities and illustrate them with examples. Before writing, ask them about the role so you know which attributes you should highlight.
Here’s how to write a reference letter step-by-step:
#1. Write a Compelling Opening
Although a character reference letter doesn’t necessarily have to follow the business letter format, it’s best to use it, especially if you’re sending it by mail. So, first, list your contact information, the date, and the recipient’s contact details.
Then, open the letter with a professional salutation. While starting with ‘To Whom It May Concern’ is generally fine, addressing the hiring manager directly (e.g., ‘Dear Mrs. Thompson’) demonstrates effort and makes it feel more personal.
#2. Explain Your Relationship With the Candidate
In the opening paragraph, explain your motivation for writing the letter. Then, detail how you know the candidate and how long you’ve known them to let the hiring manager know your degree of familiarity with them. To establish credibility, be as specific as possible.
#3. Highlight Their Qualities With Examples
In the second paragraph, describe the candidate’s most positive characteristics. While you can list as many of them as you like, a good character reference letter emphasises qualities relevant to the job. For instance, if they’re applying for the position of a social worker, some soft skills you could highlight include compassion, emotional resilience, and patience.
To bring the letter from good to excellent, illustrate the applicant’s positive attributes with real-life examples. If you can describe how these qualities have benefited others, that would be even better!
#4. Finish With a CTA
In the last body paragraph of the character reference letter, recommend the candidate to the hiring manager for the role they’re applying for. Then, assure them that their organisation would benefit from hiring them and invite the hiring manager to contact you for more information.
Lastly, use a formal sign-off, such as ‘Sincerely’, followed by your full name to close the character reference letter.
Here’s a character reference letter template that follows all these steps you can use to get started:
Character Reference Letter Template
[Your name and surname]
[City and country]
[Email address]
[Mobile number] [City, date of writing] [Hiring manager’s name and surname]
[Company name]
[Company’s address] Dear [Hiring manager’s full name], I am writing to provide a character reference for [candidate’s full name]. [Candidate’s name] has been my [add your relationship with the candidate] for [number] years. During this time, I have come to know [candidate’s name] as a [positive quality] individual with strong integrity. They have consistently demonstrated [list 1–3 other positive qualities]. For example, [include a real-life example illustrating those qualities]. I highly recommend [candidate’s name] for the [job title] position, as I have no doubt their [positive quality] makes them a valuable asset for any organisation. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, [your full name]
3 Character Reference Letter Examples
Here are three examples of stellar character reference letters:
Example 1
Jack Evans
London, United Kingdom
jack.evans@example.com
+44 20 1234567 London, 12/5/2025 Edith Winslet
Basewood Group
119 Waterloo Road
London
SE8 1UL
United Kingdom Dear Edith Winslet, I am writing to provide a character reference for Michael Burton, whom I met during our first year at university. Michael and I have been studying Public Relations (BA) at the London College of Communications for the past three years. Over these years, I came to know Michael as a patient, compassionate, and reliable individual. He is one of the greatest listeners I have had the pleasure to meet, and his willingness to go above and beyond to help others is truly remarkable. Even under pressure, Michael remains calm and positive. During multiple team assignments, he was the one who defused tension, mediated disagreements, and got everybody on board. I am absolutely positive that Michael’s empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills make him an excellent fit for the customer service representative position at Basewood Group. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely,
Jack Evans
Example 2
Abigail Smith
Liverpool, United Kingdom
abigail.smith@example.com
+44 151 123456 Liverpool, 12/5/2025 Elisabeth Thomas
Greenfield Marketing
70 Lord Street
Liverpool
L2 1TL
United Kingdom Dear Ms. Thomas, I am pleased to provide a character reference for Jane Carden as she transitions to marketing. Jane and I met two years ago while volunteering at a local animal shelter and have remained friends ever since. During our time volunteering, I came to know Jane as a dependable, proactive, and energetic person with a natural gift for communication. While she volunteered as a dog walker, she also offered to write social media posts for the shelter, leading to a noticeable increase in community engagement and donations. Jane’s enthusiasm is contagious; she also inspired six other volunteers to think outside the box and contribute to the shelter’s efforts in other ways. I wholeheartedly recommend Jane for the marketing assistant position at Greenfield Marketing, as I have no doubts she will bring the same level of initiative and creativity to your organisation. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or wish to discuss Jane’s character in more detail. Best regards,
Abigail Smith
Example 3
Peter Ardley
Brighton, United Kingdom
peter.ardley@example.com
+44 1273 12345 Brighton, 12/5/2025 Adam Brown
NovaCloud Solutions
28 North Road
Brighton
BN1 1YB
United Kingdom Dear Mr. Brown, It is my privilege to recommend Charles Belton, who has applied for the senior software developer position at NovaCloud Solutions. Charles has been a close friend of mine for well over two decades. Besides being long-term friends, we have also worked on several projects together. Throughout the years, I have witnessed Charles grow into a trustworthy, driven, and thoughtful person with an exceptional work ethic and integrity. In 2023, he offered to help me develop a custom inventory management system for my business. While his technical abilities are outstanding, his communication impressed me the most. He took the time to learn about my needs, explained technical details in simple terms, and kept me updated consistently. The entire process was stress-free thanks to his calm, positive attitude and genuine enthusiasm for problem-solving. I can attest that Charles offers much more than technical expertise. His dedication, clear communication, attention to detail, and collaborative attitude make him a great addition to any team. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you require any further information. Sincerely,
Peter Ardley
Character Reference Letter Writing Dos and Don’ts
To write a character reference letter that showcases the candidate’s best qualities, be honest, concise, and professional, but don’t exaggerate their abilities. You also shouldn’t mention their weak points, as this can raise doubts and diminish the impact of your recommendation.
With this in mind, let’s explore the dos and don’ts of character reference letter writing in greater detail.
Tips for Writing
Here are some tips for writing a top-notch character reference letter:
Use examples. Specific examples can add credibility to the reference letter and help the recruiter understand how the candidate’s qualities manifest in real-life situations.
Keep it concise. Hiring managers receive hundreds of applications for each position, so keep the letter to the point. It shouldn’t be longer than one page.
Make it relevant. Only include relevant information for the hiring manager to know and avoid discussing traits that aren’t useful in the job the candidate is applying for.
Stay professional. Even if you’re writing a character reference letter for a friend, don’t be too casual; maintain a professional tone to leave a good impression.
Don’t forget to proofread. Before sending the letter, check for grammar errors to ensure it is flawless.
Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistakes you should avoid when writing a character reference letter are:
Lying. Don’t exaggerate or lie, as the truth may eventually come out. If you don’t know the candidate well or have nothing nice to say about them, it’s best not to write a character reference for them.
Being vague. Details are critical to persuasive writing, so avoid vague language. Don’t just say the candidate is amazing; show it by specifying the traits that make them amazing and backing them up with examples!
Mentioning weak points. The purpose of a character reference letter is to endorse a person. Mentioning their shortcomings can weaken your recommendation, so it’s best to only focus on their positive traits.
Including private information. To keep the letter professional and respect the candidate’s privacy, don’t include any overly personal information, especially if it has nothing to do with the job application.
Not including your contact details. You should always list your contact information so the hiring manager can contact you if they have any follow-up questions.
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Final Thoughts
Whether you have to write a character reference letter or need one for yourself, we hope you found this article helpful!
While writing a CV is necessary for every job application, and submitting a cover letter is recommended even when the recruiter doesn’t ask for it, you should only send a character reference letter upon request. Make sure it’s tailored to the job you’re applying for to maximise the chances of landing your dream job!
Character Reference Letter FAQ
#1. Who can be a character reference?
Almost anyone who knows you personally can be a character reference, including your friends, coworkers, mentors, and neighbours. However, your close family members (siblings, parents, spouse, etc.) may not make the best character references; even if they try to remain objective, employers may perceive their statements as biased.
#2. Can a character reference letter be handwritten?
A character reference letter can be handwritten, but a typed one is usually better because it looks more professional. Typed letters are also easier to read. If you’re sending the letter by mail and want to include a personal touch, consider adding a handwritten signature instead of writing the entire letter by hand.
#3. How to ask someone to write a character reference for you?
The best way to ask someone to write a character reference for you is to reach out to them in advance; a last-minute request is more likely to be rejected. Be polite, explain why you need it, tell them about the role, and share any other helpful details to make this task easier for them.
