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What a character reference is and why it exists
A character reference is written by someone who knows a person in a personal or community capacity rather than as a direct manager. It speaks to the individual’s qualities, reliability and conduct, and is signed by the referee who is willing to stand behind it.
Its purpose is to give a recipient a sense of the person beyond their formal work record. It is often requested for roles, tenancies or applications that involve trust, or where someone has limited work history, and it complements rather than replaces an employment reference.
When it is used
- Supporting an application where trust and conduct matter.
- Helping a first-time job seeker with limited work history.
- Backing a tenancy or volunteering application.
- Accompanying an application for membership of a body or club.
- Where a recipient asks for a personal, non-employment reference.
What a fair character reference includes
- The referee’s name and how they know the person.
- How long and in what capacity they have known them.
- An honest description of the person’s qualities and conduct.
- Specific examples that illustrate reliability or trustworthiness.
- A clear statement of the referee’s willingness to recommend them.
- The referee’s contact details for follow-up where appropriate.
- The date and the referee’s signature.
- A focus on conduct rather than protected personal characteristics.
Common mistakes
- Making claims the referee cannot honestly support.
- Offering only vague praise with no concrete examples.
- Commenting on protected personal characteristics instead of conduct.
- Writing it without the person’s knowledge or consent.
- Failing to explain the nature and length of the relationship.
- Forgetting to date or sign the reference.
Good practice
- Keep it honest, specific and based on genuine knowledge of the person.
- Explain clearly how and how long you have known them.
- Use real examples to make the assessment credible.
- Confirm what the reference is for before writing it.
- Share the finished reference as a tidy, signed PDF where helpful.
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