Character Reference Letter

A well written character reference letter can make a difference in you getting a job interview or a job offer. They could also boost your value after an interview.

If you say something positive about yourself, it's suspect. If someone in authority says something positive about you, it's gospel.

Reference letters should be used sparingly and only under the circumstances described below. They are not mandatory.

You will learn about this helpful job interview tool from 3 perspectives:

1. How to request a personal reference letter from a supervisor or other influential person.
2. When to use reference letters.
3. How to write a reference.

Let's cover each of these 3 areas in greater depth.

Your request for a personal reference letter will differ slightly depending on whether you are employed or unemployed.

But, the contents and objectives of the letter will be the same.

If you are unemployed:

• You only need to request 1 or 2 character reference letters.
• The most influential letters are from people ranked as follows:
1. Your most recent supervisor
2. Supervisor from the recent past (5 years or less)
3. Key customer
4. Key supplier or vendor
5. Co-worker of equal rank, especially from another department
• Make your request in person or over the phone so you can suggest what is written about you.
• Remind your reference source of 2 or 3 of your accomplishments and how you feel you made a difference.
• Suggest your reference source view my web page, sample reference letters, for 3 reasons:
  1. You don't want them to write a generic, feel good letter, with just a bunch of fluff in it.
  2. Writing a good letter is hard work. It's easier to write a powerful reference letter if you have an excellent sample in front of you. Also, you'll get your letter faster.
  3. Gives you some influence over what is written about you and the best format to use.

• Ask them to write the letter on company letterhead and email it to you in a PDF or Word format. This provides you with a lot of distribution options. Company letterhead is best because of the credibility it offers. If you can't get this done, don't worry about it. What is written about you is more important anyway.
• Ask them when you can expect to receive the letter as you are anxious to get going with your job search.
• If you don't receive your letter in a week, follow up with them using my 3 strikes and you're out rule. Then ask someone else to write you a character reference letter.

If you are still employed:

• Avoid asking for character reference letters from company employees or supervisors while you are still working there. It's too risky for you and your sources. You could even get fired if a higher-up finds out about it.
• Be loyal to your company during your search and put forth your best efforts. Once you leave, no one will be loyal to you and they will blab to everyone about things you said and did behind the company's back. This could come back to haunt you down the road if you ever decide to go back to your old company, or your old boss ends up working with you at another company. No one will fault you if you leave the company for a better opportunity as long as you continued to do your job and handled your transition out of the company in an ethical, professional manner.
• If you feel you really need a character reference letter from someone while you are still employed, make sure you can trust them to keep this strictly confidential. Follow the same guidelines above except, don't ask for the reference letter on company letterhead.

Special tips and insights:

• Some companies have a policy of not providing references or any information about former employees other than name, rank, and serial number. You may be able to get around this if you ask your reference source to do you a personal favor. But, some companies have a firm no reference policy that simply can't be breached.
• If you get 1 or 2 weak personal reference letters, just don't use them. Thank your reference and work on getting 1 or 2 better ones.
• Don't obsess about getting character reference letters. Most job seekers don't use them and some companies don't put a lot of weight in them. However, they can be helpful, and I have seen them make a difference under the right circumstances.

• You lost your job due to a lay off or business closure. In other words, something beyond your control; not because of poor job performance. Whenever job candidates are unemployed, prospective employers will always want to know why. A good personal reference letter from your former boss extolling your virtues and strengths will offset the negatives raised by your unemployment status.
• Items on your resume that could be viewed negatively:
• several job changes.
• gaps of unemployment between jobs. (Don't ever try to cover this up by just changing the dates)
• left employer A for employer B; then, left employer B to go back to employer A. Now, you want to leave employer A, again.
• you took a demotion.
• applying for a job outside of your industry or discipline.
• no degree or an unusual degree.
• returning to the workforce after a lengthy absence.
• You sense your job interview didn't go as well as you expected. Send your character reference letter along with your thank you letter.
• You hang up after a telephone interview and feel things just went ok, but could have gone better. Now you are worried you won't be invited in for an on-site interview.
• You discover you were one of the first candidates interviewed for a position. It could take another 3-6 weeks before the final candidates are selected or an offer extended to someone. A well timed character reference letter could rekindle positive memories of your interview and tip the scales in your favor. It also gives you another card to play when nothing seems to be happening or the process is simply taking too long.
• You are one of 2-3 candidates invited back for a second round of interviews. After your second job interview, send your character reference letter along with your thank you letter.

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  3. How to write a reference.

  An effective character reference letter should contain the following elements:

  • short, concise sentences
  • a few action verbs (but don't get carried away. Make it real.)
  • contain at least one measurable accomplishment
  • letter should be brief, 2-3 paragraphs
  • written on company letterhead, if possible

  Go to, sample reference letters, for 3 excellent examples.

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