A character reference letter is a personal endorsement that highlights someone’s values, personality, and interpersonal qualities.
There’s something special about being asked to write a character reference: It means someone trusts you to speak to who they are rather than what they do. Unlike professional references, this kind of letter gives you the space to reveal the person behind the résumé through personal qualities, moral character, and integrity.
For example, a teammate might be applying for a leadership role and wants to show they bring conflict management skills as well as strong performance. Or a former team member is changing industries and needs someone to highlight their adaptability and drive. Mentorship programs, internal mobility, and volunteer opportunities also benefit from a personal touch.
This guide helps you put those thoughts into words. You’ll find a simple walkthrough for writing a meaningful character reference, plus a customizable template and example letter to make the process straightforward.
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What is a character reference letter?
A character reference letter highlights someone’s personal qualities, values, and interactions with others. If a company asks for a character reference, “it wants to know about your interpersonal or ‘soft’ skills, not your work achievements,” says Kristina Marlow, senior director at Lateral Link, a legal recruiting firm. She adds that personal references “give insight into your personality and vouch for your character.” They help decision-makers understand who someone is beyond their credentials and whether they’re a good culture fit at their company.
Who can write a character reference letter?
The most effective character reference letters come from people who know the person well and can speak to their qualities beyond a job description. That might be someone from their personal life or a professional contact who’s seen their values in action.
Ideally, the writer:
- Has known the person for several years
- Has seen them navigate both smooth and challenging situations
- Can share specific examples that highlight their character
- Is respected and trustworthy
- Has no conflict of interest
That could mean a long-time friend who’s seen them grow through different life stages, a volunteer coordinator who’s witnessed their commitment firsthand, a co-worker who’s collaborated with them on tough projects, or a mentor who’s supported their career development over time. What matters most is that the writer knows the person well enough to offer a genuine, thoughtful perspective.
Sample character reference letter
Here’s a comprehensive character reference letter sample that demonstrates best practices and proper formatting:
Maria Thompson
Volunteer Program Coordinator
HopeWorks Community Center
(555) 246-8190
[email protected]
October 17, 2025
Dear Ms. Chen,
It’s a pleasure to recommend Ethan Rivera, whom I’ve known for over five years through his volunteer work at HopeWorks Community Center. As the program coordinator, I’ve had the privilege of supervising Ethan in several roles, including organizing food drives, mentoring local students, and coordinating neighborhood clean-up events. Throughout this time, I’ve seen him demonstrate a genuine care for others in everything he does.
Ethan’s character shows most clearly in moments of pressure. During one of our largest holiday food distributions, a sudden storm and supply delays threatened to derail the event. Ethan immediately stepped up to reorganize our volunteers, kept everyone calm, and ensured every family received what they needed. His emotional intelligence and leadership made a potentially chaotic day feel seamless.
Another moment that stands out was during our youth mentorship program. One of the teenagers he worked with was struggling with attendance and confidence. Ethan patiently met with him outside regular sessions, helping him set small, achievable goals. Over time, that student became one of our most engaged participants—a change I attribute largely to Ethan’s encouragement and belief in him.
Most recently, Ethan played a key role in launching our community garden initiative. He coordinated volunteers, built partnerships with local schools, and even led weekend workshops on sustainable growing practices. His ability to connect with people, from city officials to young students, helped turn a small idea into a thriving community space that continues to bring people together.
Ethan is the kind of person you can count on to lead with kindness, follow through on his commitments, and be a role model to others along the way. His actions consistently reflect integrity and humility, and his presence strengthens any team or project he’s part of.
I’m confident Ethan will bring the same loyalty and compassion to the Community Engagement Coordinator role that he’s brought to every project at HopeWorks. What makes his experience especially relevant to your company is how closely his values align with your mission to support local engagement and inclusive community development.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to discuss Ethan’s character or contributions in more detail. I’d be happy to share more about my experience working with him.
Sincerely,
Maria Thompson
Volunteer Program Coordinator
HopeWorks Community Center
Recommended For Further Reading
Character reference template
Use this customizable character reference letter template to craft personal references that leave a lasting impression:
[Your name]
[Your title or occupation]
[Your company or organization, if applicable]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]
[Date]
Dear [recipient’s name],
I’m pleased to write this letter of recommendation for [name of person you’re recommending]. I’ve known [name] for [length of time] in my capacity as [your relationship—e.g., professor, mentor, neighbor], and during that time I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the qualities that make [him/her/them] an exceptional individual.
[Name] consistently demonstrates [key traits—e.g., empathy, leadership]. For example, when [example one—describe a brief, specific situation that highlights key traits].
I was equally impressed when [example two—include another short instance that showcases key traits].
Most recently, [example three—add a final quick story that reinforces key traits]. Together, these examples show how [name] blends professionalism with sincerity in everything [he/she/they] do[es].
I’m confident [name] will bring the same dedication and authenticity to [context—e.g., the role/opportunity you’re recommending them for]. [He/she/they] consistently earn[s] the respect of those around [him/her/them] through [his/her/their] reliability and genuine care for others. What makes [his/her/their] experience especially relevant to your organization is how closely [his/her/their] strengths align with your company’s values and industry goals. [He/she/they] demonstrate[s] the same [insert qualities—e.g., creativity, collaboration, customer focus] that define success in your field, making [him/her/them] an ideal fit for your team and culture.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to discuss [name]’s character or contributions in more detail. I’d be happy to share more about my experience working with [him/her/them].
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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How to write a great character reference letter
Now that you’ve seen a sample and template, here’s how to write a strong character reference letter of your own. The steps below will help you craft something clear and impactful, from the initial greeting to the final sign-off.
1. Start with a formal salutation
Every great letter starts with a thoughtful greeting. Your salutation sets the stage for everything that follows, showing care, professionalism, and attention to detail from the very first line.
If you know the recipient’s name, use it. A personalized greeting helps your letter feel sincere and demonstrates that you’ve put thought into who you’re addressing. When the exact recipient isn’t clear, you can still keep your greeting professional yet warm. Try:
- “Dear Hiring Committee,”
- “Dear Selection Panel,”
- “Dear Admissions Team,”
Avoid using “To whom it may concern.” Ask the person you’re writing the letter for if they know who will be reading it. If not, a quick online search can usually help you find the right name or department to address. Personalizing your greeting helps the letter feel more thoughtful and relevant.
2. Introduce yourself and your relationship
The next step is to set the stage: explain who you are and how you know the person you’re recommending. This shows the reader why your perspective matters and why it’s worth considering.
Include these key elements in your introduction:
- Your credentials: Name and relevant position or background that establishes credibility
- Relationship duration: How long you’ve known the person
- Context of relationship: The circumstances in which you know them (neighbor, volunteer coordinator, mentor, etc.)
- Qualification statement: Brief explanation of why you’re qualified to assess their character
If you’ve worked with the person in multiple settings (like a professional collaboration and a community project), you can briefly mention that too. It shows depth and helps the reader see that your opinion isn’t based on a single type of interaction.
3. Highlight the subject’s positive traits with examples
The heart of your character reference letter lives here. Choose two or three qualities that matter for the opportunity and then share a brief, specific example that shows the trait in action.
Think “mini story,” not a list of adjectives. “While a list of qualities is helpful, detailed examples that support and illustrate the person’s moral character and personal qualities help companies better understand how they might perform in various real-life scenarios,” explains Jamie Birt, career coach at Indeed. Structure your examples to include the situation, the person’s actions, and the positive outcome or impact.
Instead of: “Priya has great integrity.”
Write: “When a reporting error surfaced, Priya took responsibility right away, corrected it the same day, and shared a clear summary with the team, helping prevent the issue from happening again.”
Instead of: “Ana is very reliable.”
Write: “When our delivery vendor canceled at the last minute during a community drive, Ana calmly reorganized routes, contacted backup drivers, and made sure 300 families still received their supplies on time.”
Instead of: “Malik is a strong leader.”
Write: “When a new volunteer was struggling with confidence, Malik paired up with them for two events, offering guidance and encouragement. By the third, that volunteer was running check-in solo—and smiling the whole time.”
4. Address the context or purpose of the letter
Once you’ve shared your examples, it’s time to connect the dots for your reader. You’ve already shown who the person is; now you’re explaining why that matters in this particular situation. Start with a transition sentence that names the purpose of your letter directly. For example:
- “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Priya for several years, and I’m confident her collaborative spirit makes her an excellent fit for the Community Engagement Coordinator position at Brightside Creative.”
- “I’m happy to provide this character reference as part of Ana’s application for the Customer Success Manager position.”
- “I’m honored to recommend Malik for the Marketing Associate role at your company.”
Then connect their qualities directly to the opportunity. “This can help a hiring manager who is teetering between two candidates, affirm a gut feeling or possibly provide insight into a question mark,” says Claudia Johnson, Senior Vice President of Human Capital at search and staffing firm Addison Group. Show how the traits you’ve described align with what the role, program, or decision calls for:
- “Priya’s strong sense of accountability and collaboration will serve her well in a role that requires trust, consistency, and teamwork”
- “These examples highlight Ana’s ability to stay calm when workplace stress is high—an essential skill for any fast-paced customer-facing role”
- “Malik’s creativity, communication skills, and motivation make him an excellent fit for the marketing team, where collaboration and fresh ideas drive success”
It can also help to reference what you know about the company or program. A short nod to their values shows you’ve done your homework and makes your endorsement feel personal and relevant:
- “Brightside Creative values innovation and teamwork—two strengths Priya brings to everything she does”
- “HopeWorks Community Center’s focus on compassion and community impact mirrors Ana’s own approach to service”
- “Your company’s focus on creativity and connection aligns perfectly with Malik’s strengths”
If you’re not sure exactly what the recipient is looking for, focus on universal character strengths that fit most situations like honesty, compassion, and adaptability. These qualities are always valuable, no matter the context.
5. Conclude with a strong closing statement
The final paragraph is your chance to finish your endorsement with confidence and clarity. Close by inviting the reader to contact you if they’d like more information. This shows transparency, reinforces your credibility, and keeps the door open for further conversation.
Include your contact details and end with a warm, polished sign-off that matches the tone of your letter.
Write a compelling character reference letter
Writing a character reference is a chance to highlight someone’s best qualities—the traits that shape how they show up when it matters most.
With the tips and sample provided, you’re ready to write a character reference that feels both authentic and impactful: A letter that reflects your respect for the person and your confidence in what they bring to the table.
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