Letters of reference character: What is a Character Reference Letter & How to Write One?

What is a Character Reference Letter & How to Write One?

When somebody is looking for a job, they must do everything they can to stand out from the dozens of applicants. They have to make sure that the hiring team recognizes their potential.

One of the many things that can help someone stand out is a character reference letter. A well-drafted character reference letter could be the golden ticket to enter one’s dream job. Yes, you read that right.

It is a document that can help strengthen a candidacy during a job hunt! After all, it gives the employers a sense of what kind of a person someone is, and how suitable they are for a job.

Yes, being asked to write such an important letter can be flattering, but it can also be a little bit intimidating. Finding the right words to describe someone’s character can be tricky.

Writing a character reference letter takes plenty of thought and awareness. So, to give you a helping hand, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about a character reference letter.

Whether you are the one who needs a character reference letter or you are the one who has been requested to write it – this post will certainly help you.

What’s a Character Reference Letter?

As the name suggests, a character reference letter highlights the character of an individual. It informs the reader about the abilities, qualities, and characteristics of the person for whom the letter has been written.

Basically, the letter provides a genuine and professional opinion about an individual’s personal attributes, based on known facts and the observations of the writer. It is usually written by someone in favor of a person they know on a personal level.

A character reference letter explicitly states the writer’s knowledge of an individual’s values, character, personality, work ethic, and more. Employers can then use this information to gauge whether an individual is a right fit for the organization and the team.

If you need someone to write a character reference letter for you, make sure that you choose the right person. There is no point asking your old Geography professor whom you have not met in 12 years!

We understand that it can be a bit challenging to find the right person to write the letter. Don’t worry, because we have got some tips that will help you choose!

Read more: How to Create a Talent Acquisition Process Documentation?

Who Should You Ask For The Character Reference Letter?

Your character reference letter must be written by someone who knows you very well, and someone who can provide an up-to-date reference. The person should have a high opinion of you and should be able to write something that puts you in a good light!

You need to be very strategic while finding someone who can write the letter for you. It’s not a wise idea to choose someone with whom you have a direct personal relationship. Why? Because then the character reference letter won’t be considered objective.

So, instead of a friend or an old roommate, choose someone who has worked with you in a more professional setting. For example, you can ask your professor, your coach, a member of an organization you might be part of, a past client or customer, etc.

Once you’ve found the right person who is willing to write the character reference letter for you, it’s your responsibility to provide them with all the information they might need to write it. Clarify the deadline, the job you’re applying for, and the method of submitting the letter.

It can be a little intimidating to write a character reference letter, but honestly, it’s not too difficult. All you have to do is tell the truth about a person, and why you believe they’re the right fit for a particular job. To make the task easier for you, we’ve listed down a few important things you should include in the letter.

5 Things You Must Include in a Character Reference Letter

1. Introduction/Address

A character reference has the maximum impact when it’s addressed to the right person. In case you don’t know who to name, you can write, ‘To whom it may concern.’

Once that’s done, mention that this is your character reference for XYZ, and the position they’re applying for. For instance, you can write: “I am writing the character reference on behalf of Mr. Tony Stark, and I’d highly recommend them for the role of Operations Manager.”

Don’t forget to include the date you’re writing the letter so that the recipient can gauge how recent it is!

2. Your Relationship With The Candidate & How Long You Have Known Them

To improve the credibility of your reference, state your relationship with the person in the letter, and include the length of time you have known them. For example, you can write, “Natasha and I have worked together for over five years in the sales department of Acme Company. ”

By mentioning these two things, you would be able to demonstrate that you are a reliable source of information. Be as specific and concise as possible while describing your relationship with the candidate. If there are multiple ways you know each other, just pick the most appropriate one!

Read more: Letter of Authorization (Authority Letter): Definition, Examples & Steps!

3. The Candidate’s Qualities, Skills & Personality Traits

This is undoubtedly the most important part of the character reference letter! This is where you vouch that the candidate is suitable for the role. You need to highlight the key competencies, strengths, and abilities of the candidate. Specify what personality traits make the candidate the perfect fit for the role.

Here, you should also mention the candidate’s soft skills such as creativity, dedication, leadership, empathy, patience, and anything else that you find relevant. These must be the qualities that you have witnessed while working with them. For instance, you can write:

“Steve’s conflict resolution skills always helped in building a pleasant working environment. Steve was always the first one to intervene if things get heated at the workplace, and his ability to resolve conflicts and get both sides on the same page is commendable!”

4. Use Specific, Positive Examples

Writing the characteristics of the candidate isn’t enough to make the reference letter effective. You need to provide evidence of these qualities as well! Mention when the candidate depicted these qualities in front of you.

You don’t have to write lengthy narratives, just some simple and specific examples will work. By backing up the characteristics traits of an individual with examples, you will be able to get your point across more effectively!

5. Your Contact Details

At the end of the letter, thank the recipient for taking out the time to read it, and offer to provide answers to any other queries they might have.

Leave your contact information (mobile number, email address, or postal address) in the letter so that the reader has an easy time conducting a reference check, or requesting some additional information.

Including your contact information in the character reference definitely leaves a positive impression on the reader. It shows that you’re a real person who can vouch for a person’s character!

Now that you know the nitty-gritty of writing a character reference letter, here are some tips on how you can create a solid one. Ready? Let’s go!

4 Crucial Tips For Writing a Good Character Reference Letter

1. Ask The Person What They Want in The Letter

Before writing the letter, make sure that you have all the relevant details about the role the person is applying for. You can ask for their resume/CV since it contains a lot of information which would make it easy for you to write a good reference letter.

Ask them to tell you a little about the job they need the letter for. Don’t forget to check the job description to get a better idea about the job the person is applying for. Only then you’d be able to write a letter that is relevant to the job profile.

Moreover, make sure how you need to submit the letter. In some cases, the reference needs to be sent back to the individual for whom you’ve written it. However, there are also instances when the person who’s writing the letter is required to send it directly to the company.

2. Consider The Implications & Make Sure You Have Enough Time

Before agreeing to write a character reference for someone, consider the implications. The letter that you write can hinder someone’s chances of being accepted for a job. So, only accept the task when you can provide a positive and helpful reference!

Simply put, if you are extremely sure that you can do a good job on the letter and you won’t disappoint the candidate with a substandard letter – then only you should agree to write the letter. Once you’ve agreed, make sure that you honor your commitment and deliver what you promised on time.

3. Be Positive, Specific & Concise

Someone might be the state champion in Chess, but if it’s not relevant to the position they’re applying for, cut it out. Simply put, only state the qualities that make the candidate fit for the role. Before writing, spend a little time reading and understanding the job description!

Most importantly, keep a positive tone throughout the letter and authentically explain the characteristics of the candidate – in a convincing manner. Remember that the hiring managers won’t have time to read lengthy letters, so try not to include more than 3 qualities.

4. Proofread

Once you’ve finished writing the letter, revisit what you have written. Ask yourself: Does the letter achieve the goal, or are there some better examples that you can include? Is there a way to say something more succinctly? Are there any spelling errors or typos?

Before sending the reference, you have to be sure that there are no errors in it. Proofread the letter multiple times because sending a substandard letter with grammatical errors and typos might create a bad impression about the candidate. If you find any mistakes, change them right away.

Now, that you have learned everything about writing a solid character reference letter, the question you should ask yourself is…are you equipped with the perfect tool that can help you write it? Confused? Not sure what we mean by ‘the perfect tool’? Read on!

Bit.ai – The Best Tool For Creating a Character Reference Letter & Other Documents

Bit.ai is the world’s most powerful document collaboration platform. It is built for teams and individuals to create, collaborate, and organize all the documents and company knowledge in one place.

See, if you actually want your character reference letter to leave an impression, you have to make sure that it highlights your text, has the perfect format and is great to look at.

However, writing a reference letter takes so much of your time, that you might not have the energy to make it look appealing. We totally understand!

Luckily, Bit takes care of the formatting and designing aspects for you. With over 90 pre-built, fully responsive, and gorgeous templates, Bit has made the entire process of creating documents super smooth.

Pick a template that fits your needs the best, and you’re good to go. You can even change the entire look of the document with the click of a button. Basically, all you need to do is add the content and leave the rest to Bit.

Oh, and do you need someone to help you out in writing the reference letter? Well, multiple people can simultaneously collaborate on a Bit smart document in real-time. They can highlight changes, add comments, and can even chat with you – without stepping out of the document.

What’s more? Bit lets you add videos, social content, charts – basically any rich media you can think of in your document. In addition, you can get real-time insights on your shared docs with Bit’s document tracking feature.

That’s right! You can see how much time someone has spent reading your character reference letter, how often they come back to read it, and more. ✨

Wrapping Up

If you’re the one who’s writing the reference letter, here are a few things you should remember:

• Only agree to write the reference if you know the person well enough and if you have good things to say about them. If you don’t feel comfortable writing the letter, it is better to say no.
• Being asked to write a character reference is an honor, but it is also a big responsibility. You should always take this request seriously and stick to the agreed deadlines.
• It’s a good idea to send a draft to the candidate before finalizing the reference – just to be sure that it answers all the points that they wish to emphasize.

If you’re the one who needs the character reference letter, here are some tips for you:

• Only request people who have known you for a substantial amount of time, and who can vouch for your positive qualities and abilities.
• After receiving the character reference letter, don’t forget to send a thank-you note!

We know that there’s a lot of information to digest here. So, if you have any queries, concerns, or suggestions, hit us up on Twitter @bit_docs. We would be happy to help you out! 😊

Further reads: 

Two Weeks Notice Letter: Definition, Format, Examples & Samples!

Sales Resume: What is it & How to Create One to Woo Recruiters!

Internship Cover Letter: How to Write a Perfect one?

Proposal Cover Letter: What is it & How to Create it?

Thank You Letters: What are they & How to Write a Perfect One?

Formal Letter: Definition, Importance, Steps & Format!

Free Character Reference Letter (for Court) Template – Samples – PDF

Updated July 17, 2022

The character reference for court is to provide the Judge a family member, friend, or co-worker with a written statement on the Defendant’s moral or mental qualities. The letter is commonly provided in child custody and/or drunk driving (DUI) occurrences but may be used in any situation needed where the court should hear about the personality and reputation of the Defendant in order to have the case drawn in their favor.

Immigration Character Reference Letter – For someone who is specifically entering the court for immigration purposes.

Who to Select?

When selecting an individual who will write a character reference, it is important to select someone that has known you for a long period of time and also someone that the court will respect. As an example, it is best if you can get someone from the community like a teacher that has seen you grow as a person to write a good reference to the court.

Drunk Driving (DUI) – If you are in need of a reference for a drunk-driving (DUI) incident maybe it is best to have someone like an employer or close family state how important you are to them. In addition, have them write how you are needed and that any jail time or suspension of your license will put more weight on other people’s shoulders.

Child Custody – If you are in the midst of a custody battle or a general family hearing it would be advised to elect someone who has seen you with your children. In recent years it has been more common to have a psychiatrist oversee the children around the parent and to have them write a formal recommendation to the court. In a family proceeding a letter from a psychiatrist has tremendous pull when it comes to the court ruling in favor of the children’s best interests.

Video

How to Write (Format)

The letter should be a simple 1-page document stating your experience with the recommended individual as well as why you feel the need to provide this reference. Depending on who you are and how the court views you in consideration to the case it may or may not sway the Judge into using the letter in their final assessment.

Introduction

The introduction should state who you are, how long you’ve known the individual, and why you feel the need to make this recommendation to the court.

Body Paragraph(s)

The body paragraph be your main argument why the recommended individual is a person of high moral character. For example, if you are the employer of the individual it should state how important they are to the workplace and to plead to the Judge to show leniency in this case. Or if it is a child custody lawsuit it should have a family member write how much the kids mean to the recommended individual.

Conclusion

The conclusion should summarize the purpose of the letter and he or she should write their contact information (phone and e-mail) in case the court should want to follow-up on any of the information suggested in the letter.

Sample 1 – For a DUI

1 – The Heading And The Introduction

It is important to keep in mind that a Letter of Reference for a DUI Defendant will be an official document in a court of law. Therefore, make sure that it appears professional and its contents are what you believe to be true.

First, you will need to Identify yourself. This should be done in the upper left-hand corner of the page. Enter your Name and Residential Address on the first three lines of this page.        It is also imperative that you indicate when this letter was written and submitted. Skip two lines after your Name and Address then, enter the current date. Generally, writing out the name of the Month then entering the numerical Calendar Date and Year is standard.

In some cases, the Defendant’s DUI Attorney may wish to include a Subject Line with the Case Number or to exclude the subject altogether. In this example, we shall assume a somewhat informal Subject line. Report the subject two lines below the date. If using this form as a template, enter the Name of the Defendant on the blank line.

The Greeting will begin your actual letter. Again, you will need to consult the Defendant or his or her Attorney. In this example, we shall use a formal Greeting. The Greeting should be placed two lines below the Subject Line above. If there will be no Subject Line, then it should be placed two lines below the Date.

2 – The Introduction Will Set Up The Body Of This Letter

The Introduction should be made up of one or two statements. These statements must contain, the Purpose of this document, the Name of the DUI Defendant, your Relationship to the DUI Defendant, and how long you have known the DUI Defendant as such. You may wish to include a statement declaring his or her character in some way.

3 – The Body Of The Letter Must Show A Positive Light On The Defendant

The content of the body will act as support for the DUI Defendant. After all, the recipient(s) of this letter will likely only know the DUI Defendant as a result and in relation to the DUI Offense. It will be up to the content of this letter to expand this perception and to state some positive attributes to the Defendant. Due to the nature of a DUI Offense, you may wish to discuss the observed cause and effect of the Defendant’s behavior and what he or she will do about it. For instance, the Defendant could have had some extremely challenging hardships in his or her Professional or Personal life, such as the death of a family member he or she was close to. If the DUI Defendant has mentioned seeking help for a substance abuse problem, make sure to state this intent. Make sure to also state your belief in the DUI Defendant’s ability to move past this event.

4 – The Letter’s Closing And Your Signature Will Solidify Your Intent

The last paragraph of this letter should reiterate the Introduction with a slightly more personal touch. Make sure to mention (in some manner) how you want the Recipient to react to this letter. Remember, ultimately, you will want to end the letter with an endorsement of the Defendant.Finally, close this letter with your Signature. Print your name below your Signature.

Sample 2 – For Child Custody

1 – Provide The Heading And The Greeting

You will need to self-identify using your full Name and Residential Address in the upper left-hand corner of document you are working on. This area should be presented similarly to that on an envelope and should include your residential address. Place your Full Name on the first line, your Street Address on the second line, and your City/State/Zip Code on the third line         Skip two lines then enter the current Date. That is, the Date you are composing this letter.In some cases, it is a good idea to include a subject line. A simple one, stating the hopeful Parent/Guardian’s Name and/or Case Number, will suffice. Open the letter with a Greeting to the recipient. For our purposes, this will be a judge.

2 – The Content Of The Letter

The introductory paragraph to this Letter of Recommendation will serve a specific Purpose. Indicate who you are writing this letter for, how you know the individual you are recommending, and how long you have known this individual. When this task is done, make a statement of declaration to recommend this individual to have custody of the concerned Minor or Child.The next paragraph will be the heart of the letter you are composing. You should make sure to include observations you have made that suggest the hopeful Parent/Guardian will be a positive factor in the Minor or Child’s life. If there is anything the Parent/Guardian is known for in his or her community that demonstrates his or her effectiveness as a positive force (i.e. volunteer work, memberships, etc.), then mention this as well. There should be a minimum of two to three statements here. Keep in mind, this portion of the letter can be as long as you like. If there are any questions regarding this content and its length, you may wish to consult the Parent/Guardian or his or her Attorney.

3 – The Closing And Signature Of The Letter

The last paragraph should recapture your first statement and include your desire for this letter to be taken seriously. Finally, use a standard closing (i.e. Sincerely, Signed, Best Wishes, etc.)

Sample 3 – For a Friend

1 – Supply The Heading Information

This will be considered an official correspondence regardless of the circumstances causing you to write this letter. It will be important to keep in mind that you may need to sign further documentation or even give a physical testimony in court as to this letters authenticity. As a result, there will be some requirements that must be met. The first of which will be a positive and clear identification of the author. This task should be completed in the upper left-hand corner of the first page. Supply your Full Name, your Residential Street Address, and your City, State, and Zip Code. This should appear as a mailing address on an envelope. Note: Do not use a P.O. Box Number, this must be a physical address.        The recipient of this letter will need to know when the letter was written. If this letter is written for a Defendant who is awaiting sentencing, this will be especially important. Enter the current Date by writing out the Month then entering the two-digit calendar day and four-digit year.Generally, it is a good idea to note the subject of this letter immediately in the Title. The attorney representing the subject of this letter may have preferences regarding this so make sure to contact them. In some cases, the format may be Last Name, First Name, Case Number while, in others it may be the Case Number first, and still others only the Case Number or the Name. In our example, we shall use the Full Name.

2 – Document The Defendant’s Positive Attributes

Once, this initial information has been tended to, it will be time to open the letter by greeting the recipient. Oftentimes, the subject will be in a court case and this letter will be submitted by his or her defense attorney directly to the presiding judge. In our example, we shall assume the defense attorney has requested a somewhat standard and generic greeting.The introduction to this letter will need to provide a few items. You will need to identify the Defendant as the subject, report how you know the Defendant, and the length of time this relationship has existed. It will also be important to declare your belief. For instance, after stating why you are writing this letter, state what you believe should happen to the Defendant. If you are being asked to write this to help show someone’s innocence then you should clearly state this. In our example, we will be assuming the Defendant has already been found guilty or plead guilty and our goal will be to ask for leniency on his or her behalf.Next, we will need to establish the Defendant’s character. Since, the recipient has no idea what kind of person the Defendant is outside of this case, we will need to paint a fuller picture. In the second paragraph, try to define the Defendant as having some value to the community he or she is in as well as his or her impact on your life as well. If appropriate, make sure to mention any strong feelings (i.e. such as love) you may hold for the Defendant

3 – Acknowledge The Defendant Has Made A Mistake And Provide Support

The third paragraph should acknowledge the Defendant’s mistake and, if relevant, mention any steps the Defendant has taken to change their lives. Make sure to mention that you believe in this individual’s ability to reform as well as abide by the court’s ruling. It is also a good idea to mention any relevant the conversations you may have had with the Defendant regarding this turn of events.

4 – Close The Letter By Summarizing The Letter And Signing It

The conclusion should state the basic idea underlying the introduction and the body of this letter. That is, specifically state your desire for this letter to be taken as a serious character reference and what impact you hope it will have.

You should finalize this letter by using an acceptable closing (i.e. Sincerely), Signing your name, then Printing your Name.

Character Reference Letter Example and Writing Tips

By

Alison Doyle

Full Bio

Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts and has counseled both students and corporations on hiring practices. She has given hundreds of interviews on the topic for outlets including The New York Times, BBC News, and LinkedIn. Alison founded CareerToolBelt.com and has been an expert in the field for more than 20 years.

Learn about our
editorial policies

Updated June 22, 2022

Theresa Chiechi / The Balance

Job candidates, students, and even apartment hunters may need to supply a character reference letter to their would-be employer, program, or landlord.

Do you need to write a character reference or ask someone to write one for you? If it’s something you haven’t done before, getting some pointers and looking at sample letters may help.

Review sample reference letters and tips for writing and requesting character references.

What is a Character Reference?

A character reference (also known as a personal reference) is a letter written by someone who knows the candidate and can speak to their character and abilities. Unlike professional references, the person writing the reference is not an employer.

What to Include in a Character Reference Letter

When asked to write a character reference, only agree if you can speak positively about the candidate’s personality and work ethic.

Once you’ve agreed, be sure to include a few key elements in your letter:

• First, state your relationship with the person requesting the letter and mention how long you have known them.
• The body of your letter should focus on one or two of the candidate’s strongest qualities or skills that you think will make them stand out in the job search. 
• Try to support each claim you make about the person with a specific example.
• At the end of the letter, provide any contact information that you feel comfortable sharing with the employer.

Be sure to meticulously edit your letter before sending it.

Character Reference Letter Example

This is a character reference letter sample. Download the letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.

Download the Word Template

Character Reference Letter Example (Text Version)

John Smith
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555 555-5555
[email protected]

June 17, 2022

Jane Kiel
Director, Human Resources
Anytown Riding Institute
123 Business Road
Anytown, CA 54321

Dear Ms. Kiel,

I have known Jane Doe in a variety of capacities for many years. She has been my daughter’s riding instructor for the past several years. In addition, she is my partner in a small business where she is responsible for writing and editing articles and website content.

Jane is efficient, detail-oriented, and extremely competent. She often successfully finishes a task well before the deadline. She is very organized and never misses a deadline or forgets an assignment.

Jane also has an excellent rapport with people of all ages. She has taught riding to both young children and the elderly—and to every age in between. Her excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) allow her to connect with all kinds of people and inspire them to put forth their best effort.

In summary, I highly recommend Jane for any position or endeavor that she may seek to pursue. She will be a valuable asset to any organization.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

John Smith

More Reference Letter Examples

Review more reference letter samples for a variety of circumstances to get started on your own letter.

Tips for Writing a Personal Reference Letter

Think before saying yes. Before agreeing to write a character reference letter, be sure that you can write one that is positive and honest. If you cannot, it is better to say no; this will give the person a chance to ask someone who can write a stronger letter.

If you do not want to explain your reason for saying “no” in detail, you can simply say, “I don’t feel I am qualified to write a letter on your behalf.” Here’s how to decline a request for a reference.

Should you choose to write the letter, you should

• Request information: If you decide to write the letter, make sure you have all the information you need. In particular, make sure you know what the letter is for (whether it is for a particular job, a college application, etc.), how to submit it, and when it is due. You might also ask the person if they have a resume or other document listing their skills and experiences that you can use to help write the letter.
• Be specific: In your letter, focus on two or three specific qualities or abilities the person has that make them a good fit for the job or school.
• Research the position: Look at the job listing or the school website for a sense of the qualities the employer or school might be looking for. Provide an example of a time the person demonstrated each of these qualities.
• Provide contact information: Provide some form of contact information so that the employer or organization can reach you with further questions.
• Use business letter format: If you are sending the letter by mail, use business letter format when writing your letter. Include the contact information of the employer at the top, the date, and your contact information. Conclude with a handwritten signature and your typed signature underneath. If you send an email reference letter, you do not have to use this format.
• Proofread and edit: Be sure to thoroughly edit your letter so that it is polished and professional. Ask a friend or family member to read over the letter before you send it.

Make sure your letter is thorough, but not too long. Three to five paragraphs is enough, and the letter certainly should not be longer than one page. 

What to Do When You Need References

There are a number of situations in which you may need to ask someone to write a character reference for you. Perhaps you don’t have any professional references you can use because you’re looking for your first job or have been out of the workforce for a while.

Or maybe you’re concerned that your current employer won’t give you a positive reference. Even if you have good professional references, some employers request character references in addition to letters of recommendation because they want to get a sense of a potential employee’s personality. 

You may also need a character reference when you’re applying for a loan from the bank, renting an apartment, or applying to schools. A reference gives the employer, school, landlord, or bank a vote of confidence in the candidate.

If you’re the one who needs a character reference, here is some helpful information about whom you should ask for help and how to go about doing it.

Who to Ask for a Character Reference

Whom should you ask to provide a personal reference for you? Ask someone you know personally who can speak to your character and abilities.

Neighbors and acquaintances may be willing to write a reference for you. Business acquaintances, professors and academic advisors, customers, and vendors can also make good references. You may even be able to use a friend as a reference for employment.

If you belong to or volunteer for any organizations, consider using leaders or other members of the group as personal references. Have you participated in the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, or a similar organization? Did you play school sports? Do you belong to a church group? Ask your group leader or coach to write a personal letter of reference for you. If you’ve babysat or dog-sat or shoveled snow, ask the people you worked for if they will write a reference letter for you.

Whomever you ask, be sure to send the writer a thank you note afterward. Be sure to emphasize how much you appreciate their taking the time to write you a reference.

Tips for Requesting a Character Reference

Select Someone Who Knows You Well

Think carefully about whom you want to ask to write a reference for you. Make sure you pick someone who knows you well enough to offer insight into your personality. Pick someone you think will speak positively about you. You can ask a family member, friend, or neighbor. You can also ask a teacher, advisor, volunteer leader, coach, pastor, or business acquaintance.

When to Ask

Be sure to ask your reference as early as possible, so they have time to write the letter. Offer to send them your resume or to update them on your life if they would like some more information, and make sure they know the deadline by which their reference needs to be received.

Provide the Details

It’s also a good idea to provide them with information about the job postings or programs you are applying for so they can discuss how your character and personality will make you a good candidate for these positions.

Say Thank You

Afterward, send them a thank-you note to show your appreciation.

Key Takeaways

• A character reference is a letter written by someone who knows the candidate and can speak to their abilities.
• Ask someone who can speak to your character to provide a reference for you.
• Request your reference as early as possible, so the person has plenty of lead time to write the letter.
• Send a thank-you note to show your appreciation for the recommendation.

Tips for an Effective Character Letter for a Judge

In Kentucky, sentences in criminal cases are determined by a judge. If you are found guilty of a crime by a jury or if you plead guilty to a criminal offense, a judge will look at the facts of the case as well as your criminal history in determining a sentence. One element that can often be helpful during sentencing is a character letter.

Character letters are written by friends, family, colleagues, and others who know the defendant in criminal cases. During sentencing, a judge will typically only allow a certain number of live witnesses to testify as to a defendant’s character but will accept almost any number of letters.

Of course, a character letter is only effective if it is
well-written and helps the judge understand a fuller picture of the defendant.
These tips from an experienced Lexington criminal defense attorney
can help your loved ones as they draft character letters in support of you.

What Is the Goal of a Character Letter?

A character letter is designed to show support for a defendant in
a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court, and
may even impact the ultimate sentence in a criminal case. For this reason,
character letters should be carefully drafted in order to maximize their
utility.

For individuals writing character letters, the goal should be to
first establish your credibility as a reference for the defendant. Next, the
letter should describe the defendant, in order to help the judge better
understand him or her beyond the offense committed. Finally, the letter should
be respectful, and should not undermine the defendant’s case. The below
guidelines can help in writing an influential character letter.

Tips for an Effective Character Letter

A good character letter can be incredibly helpful to a
defendant’s case. Writing such a letter can be a challenge, particularly for
those who are inexperienced with the criminal justice system. Read on to learn
more about how to write a top-notch letter of support.

Tip One: Setting the Stage

As an initial matter, a character letter should only come from
people who actually know the defendant. Form character letters are not
persuasive. Instead, each writer should start their character letter by discussing
how long they have known the defendant and how they know the defendant. If the
person knows the defendant in a professional capacity, the introductory
paragraph can explain that relationship.

Tip Two: Tell a Story

The overarching message of a character message should be to tell
a story about the defendant. Think about what makes your friend, family member
or colleague more than just a “defendant,” and how you can convey that to the
court. Doing so can potentially influence the judge’s decision — and help your
loved one receive a more favorable sentence.

When writing, avoid simply describing the defendant in terms like
“he is loyal.” Instead, tell a story about his loyalty, or how he has been an
upstanding member of the community. A story will stand out in the judge’s mind
more than adjectives will, making your letter more effective.

Tip Three: Avoid Undermining the Case

It is often tempting for a person writing a character letter to
discuss how the defendant isn’t really guilty, how this “isn’t like him,” how
the defendant only pleaded guilty to the crime to get a better sentence, or
even how the jury got it wrong. Doing this will not help the defendant, and may
even negatively impact his case.

Instead, focus on telling a story about the defendant, as
described above. Phrases that you can use include saying “I respect that a jury
has found _____ guilty of _____ crime. I am writing this letter to offer a more
complete picture of who_____ is as a person. ” 
In this way, you can show respect for the criminal justice system while
demonstrating to the court that your loved one may deserve a reduced sentence.

Tip Four: Formatting Considerations

Generally, the letters should be typed on 8.5 by 11-inch standard paper. Remember that the goal is to get the court to read your letter, and the easier that you make it for them to read, the better. The only exception is if the letter is written by a child. In that case, a handwritten letter may be more powerful.

Character letters should include your name, mailing address,
phone number and email address so that the court can verify your information.
They should be addressed either to the Honorable [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME] or
Judge [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME]. Although you can put the case number on the
letter, it is not necessary, as it will be submitted by the lawyer.

Tip Five: Understand a Realistic Outcome

At the end of a character letter, most writers make an “ask” of
the court. This can be as simple as requesting leniency, in consideration of
the defendant’s exemplary history. However, in some cases, a letter writer may
make a sentencing request.

If you plan to make a specific “ask” at the end of your letter,
be sure that you understand the potential sentences for the crime in question.
In Kentucky, there are mandatory minimums for certain crimes, such as for persistent felony offenders. Check with the
attorney before making a request for a specific punishment, in order to
maintain your credibility as a writer.

Sample Format for a Character Letter

If you have been asked to write a character letter, this simple
template may be a useful guide.

Name of Person Making Recommendation

Title of Person Making Recommendation
[If Applicable]

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

To Whom It May Concern:

First Paragraph:
Explain who you are. Next, explain how you know the person that you are writing
the character letter for, including how long and how well you have known them.

Second Paragraph:
Explain why you are writing the letter. State that you respect that the
defendant has been found guilty or pled guilty to a crime, and that you are
writing the letter to offer a fuller picture of him or her as a person. Include
specific examples of how the person has helped you or someone else, or how he
or she has been a leader or an inspiration.

Third Paragraph:
Thank the court, and make your “ask.” 
State that you are available to confirm the facts in this letter as
necessary.

Sincerely,

Signature

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation

Why write Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation?

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation can help you in most cases if you have a DUI or other court case pending.  While it isn’t a complete legal defense or factual defense to the charges, a prosecutor, or a judge, tends to see the hundreds of cases a month coming through the court system. Seeing the “other side” of the background, situation, and directions in life of a person involved in a case means that the opposing side has the opportunity to see you as a person, and not just another case number.

Also, the psychological principle of “social proof” means that the more people that are willing to vouch for you, the more positive a person will view you, based upon other’s opinions.

How many Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation should I present?

However, quantity is not better than quality.  Anything more than three one page character reference or recommendation letters, and judges tend to skim through them instead of read them.

We have had a few clients hire a consultant to help with licensing issues, and the consultants had certain instructions that appear below, so that the character reference letter is as well written and powerful as possible. Here is what one wrote when I, as a defense attorney, asked what the character letters should include.

“Letters attesting to your character are very important to show that you have the right associations and circle of friends, and these people are in the best position to attest to your good character and reputation. These letters should talk about your reputation for honesty and integrity, reformed character (if any), lifestyle changes (if any), maturity, reputation, work habits, or sharing a special “wonderful moment” story that highlights what a thoughtful, prudent, responsible and upstanding person you are.”

I think one of the most important parts is contained in the word “responsible”. If you are sending these instructions to a handful of people, understand that it wouldn’t be good that they all say the same exact thing. But I think it’s important to address the concern of the prosecutor and/or the judge that this may happen again.  Showing that you are on a good path (work wise, or through your charity or volunteer work, or socially), or something along those lines that fits the person is helpful.

What are examples of Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation?

Below, you will see a sample format for various letters. These are just samples, so none of them have to be exactly this way. We sorted through dozens, and most are about job references, but we picked the best we could find. You are free to modify any of these to address a particular issue, or to highlight particular positive aspects to the court or prosecutor.

Any Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation should be signed, and have an email or a phone number that someone can follow up (even if they rarely will).

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FORMAT AND SAMPLES:

Personal Recommendation Letter Template

Salutation
When writing a personal recommendation letter, include a salutation (Dear Dr. Joyner, Dear Ms. Merrill, etc.). If you are writing a general letter, say “To Whom it May Concern” or simply don’t include a salutation and start with the first paragraph of the letter.

Paragraph 1
The first paragraph of the personal recommendation letter explains how you know the person you are recommending and why you are qualified to write a recommendation letter to recommend employment or graduate school. With a personal letter, you are writing a recommendation simply because you know the person and their character.

Paragraph 2
The second paragraph of a recommendation letter contains specific information on the person you are writing about, including why they are qualified, what they can contribute, and why you are providing a reference letter. If necessary, use more than one paragraph to provide details.

Paragraph 3
When writing a specific letter referring a candidate for a particular job opening, the recommendation letter will include information on how the person’s skills match the position they are applying for.

Summary
This section of the recommendation letter contains a brief summary of why are you are recommending the person. State that you “highly recommend” the person or you “recommend without reservation” or something similar.

Conclusion
The concluding paragraph of the recommendation letter contains an offer to provide more information. Include a phone number within the paragraph, include the phone number and email address in the return address section of your letter, or in your signature.

Sincerely,

Name
(555) 555-5555  

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation One (1):

Dear {Recipient},

I am writing to tell you of the many fine qualities of {Name}, whom I have known for {length of time} in various capacities, including {ways in which you know the person being referenced}.

I have had the chance to get to know {Name}, and I say without a doubt that you are dealing with a person of very good moral character.  {Name} operates with integrity, and never has a bad word to say about anyone. {He/she} is also hard working and dedicated, and never leaves a job unfinished.

On a personal level, may I just say that I really like {Name}, and I have no doubts about {his/her} abilities to succeed in the future.

Thank you,

{Sender}
(555) 555-5555

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation Two (2):

Sample Character Reference Letter

To Whom it May Concern:

I have had the pleasure of knowing Katherine Kingston for eight years. During the years of our acquaintance, I have known Katherine in many capacities. She has been my Mother’s Helper since the birth of my first child five years ago. Her responsibilities in that capacity have grown with the activity level of a now pre-schooler, and the addition of another child, now a toddler.

She has also been my riding student, and assisted me with the many tasks required to run a thoroughbred breeding facility. She has spent several summers working on the farm, as well as time during school vacations, after school, and weekends.

Katherine is an intelligent, capable, dedicated, and personable young woman. She is always quick on her feet, with sensible reactions in all the circumstances I’ve seen her in. I feel confident in saying that she is capable of handling any situation with thoughtfulness and maturity.

Jill Johnson
(555) 555-5555

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation Three (3):

Sample character reference letter written by an acquaintance, rather than an employer:

To Whom it May Concern:

I have known Jane Doe in a variety of capacities for many years. She has been my daughter’s riding instructor for the past several years. In addition, she is my partner in a small business where she is responsible for writing and editing articles and website content.

Jane is organized, efficient, extremely competent, and has an excellent rapport with people of all ages. Her communication skills, both written and verbal, are excellent.

In summary, I highly recommend Jane for any position or endeavor that she may seek to pursue. She will be a valuable asset for any organization.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

John Doe
(555) 555-5555 

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation Four (4):

Personal Employment Reference Letter

To Whom it May Concern,

As a nanny to my eight-year-old twins for the past three years, Heather Pleat has proven herself to be a remarkably responsible, confident young woman.

I am amazed at the ease with which Heather can fulfill a variety of tasks. She has worked for me not only as a nanny, but also a tutor to my children and a housekeeper. She even finds time to volunteer at a local day care for single mothers. Not once have I seen Heather become overwhelmed by a given task or assignment.

I am confident that Heather’s intelligence and maturity will be great assets in any organization. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Janet Monroe
(555) 555-5555

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation Five (5):

Sample Personal Reference Letter

I am writing to recommend Ariel Jones for a position with the Town of Smithtown. I have known Ariel since she was a child and she is a highly qualified candidate for a position in town government. She has lived in Smithtown for most of her life, she is involved in her local community, her church, and her children’s schools.

Ariel has shown her commitment to the town as a Member of the Board of Appeals, and as an active participant in many community endeavors.

Ariel would be a tremendous asset to the town and I recommend her to you without reservation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mary Smith
(555) 555-5555

Character Reference Letters and Letters of Recommendation Six (6):

To Whom it May Concern:

I have had the pleasure of knowing Katherine Kingston for eight years. During the years of our acquaintance, I have known Katherine in many capacities. She has been my Mother’s Helper since the birth of my first child five years ago. Her responsibilities in that capacity have grown with the activity level of a now preschooler, and the addition of another child, now a toddler.

Katherine has also been involved with a variety of tasks at my retail business, a specialty shop fitting women for mastectomy, compression, maternity, and nursing products. Her experiences have included working on inventories, our newsletter, mailing list, and web design, as well as customer interface.

Katherine is an intelligent, capable, and personable young woman. She is always quick on her feet, with sensible reactions in all the circumstances I’ve seen her in. I feel confident in saying that she is capable of handling any situation with thoughtfulness and maturity.

Jackson Johnson
(555) 555-5555

Contact Our Law Firm.

If you have any questions about this, or in particular about the process of writing character reference letters for Orange County DUI cases, please contact us.  Our firm is happy to help.

Character reference letters- For friend, relative, personal employment

A character reference letter is usually written for you by someone you know outside of work.   This can be a friend, neighbor or relative.  It can also be a person with whom you have shared an experience, such as a teammate or fellow volunteer. Also known as a personal reference or personal recommendation, a character reference documents your positive personal attributes.  This type of reference is important for non-employment related pursuits ranging from memberships and awards to child custody and adoptions.  Character reference letters can also prove useful in landing jobs. Character References for Obtaining Employment A good character reference letter from someone you know can be helpful for job seeking when you Lack favorable references from current or former employers Are starting out and have no work history or have been out of the job market for a long time Have not attended college and cannot benefit from professor recommendations Have a potential employer who wants to better understand your background or better understand what you’re really like Are seeking a position where particular personal characteristics are important With the advent of personal computers and printers and the widespread practice of networking, character references are more common than in the past.   Nevertheless, they are more important than ever. Character references vs. employment references There are five distinctions between an employment reference letter (from your boss) and a character reference letter (from your friend).  Character reference letters are typically Less formal More personalized Not focused on an economic relationship Subjective in what they cover More straightforward An employment reference is usually an official document on company letterhead.  It is written in a formal tone and frequently follows a standard, rather impersonal format.   Employment references are courtesies extended in the business community.   They are “report cards” written from employers past to employers future.  To have any use, they must objectively appraise your job performance.  This means they must cover all relevant aspects of your work and address both your strengths and weaknesses.   Of course, employment references are unlikely to simply spell things out.  Most such letters contain organizational doublespeak which makes the bad and the ugly sound good when the letters are casually read. Character references on the other hand usually describe your positive personal attributes.  They are written by people who are loyal to you– friends, neighbors, family members.  The character traits discussed in these letters are objectively stated, but are subjectively chosen for inclusion.   In other words, the good things go in and the bad things stay out. For the most part character reference letters do not pertain to an economic relationship. They are written less formally and are by their nature highly personalized.  At their best, they are also quite straightforward. Personal employment references A gray area exists between the two types of letters when it comes to personal employment.  However, usually a letter for a babysitter, nanny, tutor, home caregiver, housekeeper or similar personal service provider is more appropriately approached as a character reference.  While pertaining to economic relationships these letters are most effective when personalized.  As a practical matter they are also informal, relatively straightforward and somewhat subjective in what they include. Top Non-Employment Related Letters Sincere, thoughtful character reference letters can be essential to the success of a variety of non-employment related pursuits. Adoption Appointment Awards Child custody Court hearing Foster care Memberships Nominations Parole hearing Scholarship As far as how they are written, these types of references should be crafted in the same manner as job related letters.   They should be personal, straightforward, relatively informal, and positive.  The only difference should be in their closing section when the recommended course of action is stated (see Writing Tips below). Top Writing Tips These tips will help you understand how to write a character reference letter.  However, keep in mind the strongest character letters are always personal and heartfelt.  So the more you can write yours in your own words the better it will be. Organize your letter As a rule, character references have three sections. Opening.  Usually a paragraph of only a sentence or two, the opening explains who you are and how you know the subject (person you’re referring). Body.  The body is the majority of the letter.  It can be several paragraphs.  Here you make the case for your friend or relative– describing your experiences with him or her and giving examples of the subject’s good qualities. Closing.  The last paragraph reinforces your belief in your friend or relative and contains your actual recommendation. Employment related character references are usually best when the recommendation is as open-ended as possible.  For example, your friend John has asked you to write a letter because he hopes it will help him land a sales position at the local hardware store.  John is polite and out-going, and you feel he’d be great in sales.  When closing your letter which is the better way to make your recommendation? “I enthusiastically recommend John for a position selling hardware” OR “I enthusiastically recommend John for any position where patience, courtesy and a winning manner are important” The second way would be preferable: John could reuse the letter for other job opportunities in the future, jobs that might not involve hardware or even sales. John’s qualities drive the recommendation (as opposed to his desire for a job driving it).  This makes the recommendation seem more sincere and therefore makes it more powerful. Non-employment related letters are usually written in response to special, one-time occurrences (scholarship competition, child custody award, etc.) and the recommendation must reflect this.  That is, by necessity whatever you recommend must be very specific to be effective. Build your letter around specific traits Identify your subject’s positive attributes.  Then think of the traits that are important to the position, award, etc. he or she is seeking.  Construct your letter around 1 to 3 of the attributes that overlap. For example, suppose the person you’re writing about is friendly, witty, honest, intelligent, hardworking, and reliable.   Suppose also he or she is seeking a security guard’s job.  A security guard should be, among other things, reliable and honest.  So it’s best to build your letter around these qualities. Here are some positive attributes often found in character reference letters: Ambitious, wants to learn and grow Charming, has sense of humor, lighthearted Committed, loyal, devoted Considerate, caring, empathetic Courteous, polite Creative, is a problem-solver Detail-oriented, punctual, quality-minded Determined, persevering, goal-oriented Efficient, economy-minded Fair-minded, honest, trustworthy Follows instructions, aims to please Generous, giving, helpful Good leader, responsible, mature for age Good listener, good communicator Hardworking, diligent, industrious Intelligent, is a quick study, naturally curious Organized, methodic, orderly Patient, level-headed People oriented, easygoing, team player Works independently, is a self-starter Sell your friend by telling a short story The character reference writer (friend, neighbor or relative) is at a disadvantage to the employment reference writer (supervisor) in several respects.   He or she is not reporting on verifiable work history and is not carrying the authority of company letterhead.  Most importantly, character letter writers are commonly assumed to “pump up” those they recommend. To offset these disadvantages, your character reference letter should provide evidence that your high opinion of the subject is valid.  This is best done by recounting specific events concerning the person you are referring.  In essence, your letter should tell one or more short, believable stories that you know personally about the subject. The body should be a narrative that recounts 1 to 3 specific incidents regarding your friend or neighbor. The incidents should demonstrate his or her positive attributes. They should be examples of how he or she behaves. If you can’t say something nice If you’ve been asked to write a letter by someone you’re uncomfortable recommending, it’s best to come up with an excuse for not doing so.  If something must be written, construct a short letter basically containing only the introduction and closing sections.  In other words, do not include examples of why the subject is worthy of the reference. Top Sample Letters for Character References For sister- Problem solver, committed To Whom It May Concern, I felt quite honored when my sister Barbara Jacobs asked me to write a reference letter for her. In addition to raising a family and being a good wife, daughter and sister, Barbara has always found time to get involved in life around her. Unlike many people these days, whenever she adopts a cause or pursues a new interest she is guaranteed to be highly committed. Barbara is only six years older than I, but in terms of the influence she’s had on my life she might as well have been my mother. She was an honors student in high school and studied Spanish for five years. As a thirteen year old, I often went with her to a special program run by our church that helped Hispanic immigrants learn to speak English. I watched Barbara take a deep interest in the lives of many of the people there. Sometimes she would bring me home, only to go back and spend additional hours helping old and young alike with their personal problems. By example, Barbara taught me not only the value of helping others, but the importance of loyalty and commitment. Barbara is also a problem solver. Much thought goes into the things Barbara does, and she has an unusual ability to notice what others overlook. I remember one Christmas her women’s club took gifts of food to families in need. Noticing that a number of the families had been referred by the free clinic, she checked for cases of diabetes. She found that several families had diabetics in them. So she carefully replaced all high sugar foods with fresh fruits and vegetables- items she purchased herself. I could continue with descriptions of Barbara’s many other good qualities- her work ethic, her energy, and her creativeness to name three. Instead I would simply like to say how much I think of Barbara and how strongly I recommend her for any task that requires problem solving and a high level of commitment. Sincerely, Doris Martin   For babysitter- Diligent, caring To Whom It May Concern, Our babysitter, Sarah Anderson, is a delightful young woman who has cared for our two children over the last several years. Sarah is not your usual sitter. Our children do not endlessly sit for hours in front of the television while in her care. She goes to extra effort to bring books from the public library that both of our children would enjoy. Sometimes instead of reading to them herself, she will help our son Tom read a story to his young sister.  Other times she will bring board or card games to play with our son after his sister goes to bed. Sarah has even managed to convince Tom that carrot and celery sticks along with an assortment of fresh fruits are really “fun foods”. In addition, Miss Anderson shares her love of music with our children. Her musical interests run from classical to contemporary. Sometimes they all sit quietly and listen to music. On other occasions you can find them dancing or exercising to their favorite songs. Even though Tom is only six years old he enjoys singing. As a result of this, Sarah teaches him little tunes that he proudly performs for us. Often my husband and I return to find drawings, paintings or small craft projects that the kids have made with Sarah’s patient assistance. We have found her unselfish and diligent care of our children a true blessing and confidently recommend her to you as a sitter. Sincerely, Gary and Darla Benson   For friend/neighbor- Enthusiastic, hardworking To Whom It May Concern, I am very pleased to write a character reference for James Norris. James and my son are good friends and go to the same high school. I have known James for seven years. During that time I have always been amazed at his level of enthusiasm. Two years ago he participated with my son in planning and financing a school club trip to New York City. He not only raised enough money for his expenses but also helped finance my son’s, along with four other club members. Another example of James’ enthusiasm occurred last summer. James cuts the grass and trims the hedges each week for the Johnson family. When they went on a two week vacation they asked James to cut the grass twice while they were gone. Even though they wouldn’t have known if he’d only cut it once, he cut it twice. But not only that, when he found out they’d be gone an extra three days he cut it a third time– right before they came back so it would look nice for them. James also washes and waxes cars for people. While eating out recently I overheard two neighbors comparing their cars and how good they looked. Neither knew at first that James did both of their cars, and each bragged about a “super kid” that stopped at nothing short of the perfect shine. I would certainly recommend James for any task where enthusiasm, hard work and trustworthiness are valued. Sincerely, Ray Ludwig   20 additional sample character reference letters* 20 personal references reflecting a variety of positive attributes.  All in one RTF file for you to download and save on your computer. 100% editable Opens in any word processor References for friends, neighbors, relatives References for childcare, home healthcare, housekeeping, tutoring References for child custody, adoption, foster parenting Available immediately, just download *This product is intended to aid and inspire your writing.   We encourage you to copy or adapt any part for the purpose of creating personal reference letters issued in your name and written for the benefit of individuals you wish to recommend.  However, by clicking the purchase button you agree you will not copy the sample character reference letter file, in whole or in part, for the purpose of selling or giving the product to others.  This product is a Rich Text Format (.rtf) file.  Open in WordPad, Works, Word, WordPerfect, StarOffice or virtually any word processing application.  To obtain product: once payment is confirmed continue to download page.  ALL PURCHASES ARE NONREFUNDABLE. 20 sample character reference letters   $5. 00 Top

RECOMMENDATION – What is RECOMMENDATION?

The word consists of 16 letters:

first p,

second e,

third k,

the fourth o

fifth m,

sixth e,

seventh n,

eighth d,

ninth a,

tenth t,

eleventh e,

twelfth l,

thirteenth b,

fourteenth n,

fifteenth s,

last th,

The word recommendatory in English letters (transliteration) – rekomendatelnyi

• The letter р occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter p
• The letter e occurs 3 times. Words with 3 letters e
• The letter to occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter k
• The letter o occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter o
• The letter m occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter m
• The letter n occurs 2 times. Words with 2 letters n
• The letter e occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter d
• The letter a occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter a
• The letter t occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter t
• The letter l occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter l
• The letter ь occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter ь
• The letter ы occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter ы
• The letter and occurs 1 time. Words with 1 letter y

Meanings of the word recommendatory. What is recommendatory?

Recommendation system

Recommender systems are programs that try to predict which objects (movies, music, books, news, websites) will be of interest to the user, given certain information about his profile.

en.wikipedia.org

Reference bibliography

Reference bibliography, branch of scientific and practical activity, one of the types of bibliography. The main public purpose of R. b. in the USSR, etc.

TSB. — 1969—1978

Reference certificate

Certificate of recommendation for holding various positions in the civil service – they have the right to receive from the military authorities, upon dismissal to the reserve or retirement, the lower ranks of non-commissioned officers who have served in excess of 5 years.

F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron. – 1890-1907

Reference booklet

RECOMMENDATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHICAL MANUAL – bibliogr. manual, which consists of bibliogr. records of documents (1) recommended to readers of a certain category.

Publishing dictionary. — 2003

Recommended bibliographic guide – a bibliographic guide that reflects documents recommended to certain categories of readers and selected according to relevant content and quality criteria.

glossary.ru

Recommended bibliographic manual – a bibliographic manual recommended to readers, reflecting documents selected according to relevant content and quality criteria

Library terms. – 1999

Recommended bibliography (index)

RECOMMENDATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHICAL LIST (INDEX) — bibliogr. a list (index), the purpose of which is to advise the reader which works he would like to read if he wants to study a topic or problem in depth . ..

Publishing dictionary. — 2003

Letter of recommendation

Letter of recommendation – a. A letter from a previous job describing the professional qualities of the job seeker. B. A letter with recommendations of a partner, company known to the author of the letter.

Dictionary of business terms. – 2001

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION A. A letter from a previous job describing the professional qualities of the job applicant. B. Letter with recommendations of a partner known to the author of the letter, firm

Encyclopedia of labor law. – 2000

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION – a written statement, often presented in person, sometimes unaddressed, containing a recommendation of a certain person by organizations, persons recommending him.

Raizberg B.A. Modern economic dictionary. – 1999

Russian

Advisory; cr. f. – flax, – flax.

Spelling dictionary. — 2004

Recommended

Morphemic spelling dictionary. — 2002

Examples of the use of the word advisory

The President noted that all of the above is purely advisory.

That is, the document is more of a recommendation than a binding character.

Vladimir Mityushnikov stated that the letter was of a recommendatory nature.

The decision of the academic council of the faculty is advisory in nature.

As a result of the meeting, decisions were made that are mostly advisory in nature.

• Words from the word “recommendatory”
• Words starting with “r”
• Words starting with “re”
• Words ending in “y”
• Words with “th” at the end
• Words that start with “rek”
• Words that start with reko
• Words ending with “ny”
• Words ending with “y”

1. recombined
2. recombine
3. recombinant
4. advisory
5. recommendation
6. recommended
7. recommended

Rules for writing a letter of recommendation + step-by-step instructions

The need to write emails is one of the least favorite activities for many. The reason, as a rule, is that people do not know where to start and how to write such a letter. In this article, we understand what a letter of recommendation is and how to write it.

What is a letter of recommendation

A letter of recommendation (or recommendation) is a document designed to add weight to an application for employment or university admission. They are usually written by a supervisor, colleague, teacher, or human resources officer.

Who needs letters of recommendation

• Students

Students need referrals because admissions officers want to better understand who they are as a person and gain information that grades and exam results don’t provide.

• For positions where a letter of recommendation is required

For most job applications, a written resume and cover letter is more than sufficient. However, some companies will only consider candidates who provide a letter of recommendation in addition to these basic elements.

• To increase your chances

If your resume and cover letter are not convincing enough, a letter of recommendation can help you get a job. A good recommendation from a previous employer can turn the tide and help you stand out among candidates.

Recommendation is not always given at the place of work . You can get a recommendation from a person who knows the recommended person well, his professional and personal qualities, range of interests, scientific achievements, and so on. The one who makes the recommendation must have a fairly high authority and recognition in his field of activity, a reputation as a moral person. These are necessary conditions, since we are talking about the objectivity of the assessment. And any organization is interested in qualified and loyal employees.

Letters of recommendation in business

References are also used in commercial correspondence. At the beginning of cooperation with any company, it is desirable to collect information about the stability of a potential partner, his solvency, the reputation of management, and the like. Many firms, when placing an order with the seller for the first time, send him the names and addresses of several companies with which they cooperate.

If there is any doubt about a potential buyer, the selling firm makes a request for a recommendation. In such a letter, you should indicate the name of the company about which you need to receive information, the cost of the order made by the company. It should be mentioned that all information received will remain confidential.

How to write a letter of recommendation

Since a letter of recommendation is an element of business correspondence, it must be drawn up in accordance with the rules and include the following details:

• Document name and heading
• Text
• Signature
• Seal (optional)
• Date

Tips on the structure of a letter of recommendation:

1. In the first paragraph of the text of the letter of recommendation, it is worth noting how long you know the person to whom you are giving a recommendation, who you are. If this is your employee, then you need to indicate the duration of his work in your organization, the duties he performs, list the projects in which he took part, the effectiveness of the activity and the results achieved. At the end of the paragraph, you can summarize everything that has been said and express your opinion regarding the recommended specialist.
2. In the second paragraph, give a more detailed description of the person in terms of his professional skills: the ability to perform certain tasks, the role in teamwork, the manifestation of both positive and negative qualities.
3. In the next paragraph, one should dwell on personal skills and behavior: the impression that a person makes when communicating and interacting with other members of the team, responsibility, loyalty, goodwill, and the like. In conclusion, let us know if you have any comments regarding the suitability of the person you recommend for the position for which he is applying: definitely recommend, with some reservations, do not recommend. This is worth doing, because by writing a letter of recommendation, you express your willingness to bear some responsibility for the person you recommend.
4. At the end of a letter of recommendation, your contact details are usually indicated: phone number, e-mail address.

Please note that a recommendation does not have to be an ode to praise. If you sincerely want to support a person, then it would be wiser to tactfully point out his shortcomings and thereby prevent possible misunderstandings. You can also give advice in such a letter – in which position the best qualities of the employee may turn out and certain shortcomings will not matter.

There is another type of recommendations – the so-called closed ones. They contain negative information about the applicant. If you think that a person does not meet the requirements for applicants for a position, then you need to say so. This type of recommendation letter may contain tips for correcting the situation, especially when it comes to professional qualities.

Sample letter of recommendation

Letter of recommendation for employment

Letter of recommendation

Dear Alexandra,

Having partnered with Yuri Klimin at the Solnyshko agency for the past five years, I have been amazed by his creative problem-solving skills and willingness to go the extra mile to create a product that will turn a client’s vision into reality. .

Yuri is directly responsible for increasing customer retention and I know for a fact that his reputation and engagement has helped the company to attract several large new customers.

As a colleague, Yuri is a savvy and experienced professional who includes everything from 10 years of management experience to expert knowledge of Illustrator and Photoshop. In addition, I must say that his humor and positive attitude towards life make it much easier to work with him even in difficult times for the team.

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about his specific skills and experience.

Thank you and all the best,

Grigory Polishchuk

Head of personnel department of Solnyshko LLC

07/17/2019

Letter Letter

Letter