Personal Reference Letter Samples and Writing Tips

Woman writing a cite letter
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A personal recommendation, also known as a character recommendation or a character contact, are an schriftzug of recommendation written by someone anyone can speak to the job candidate’s personality and character. AMPERE character might ask for a humanressourcen recommendation if they do not can tons function experience, oder if they feel their employers cannot write positive references.

A recommendation letter should provide information on anybody you are, your connection with the person you are recommending, why few are qualified, and the specific skills they have that it are endorsing.

Note

A personal recommendation focuses on the personality and soft skills of the applicants both uses examples from the candidate's life outside of work.

When Am My Reference Letters Used? 

These letters of suggestion been written by my who know job candidates outside of work and can speak to their character and ability turn a personal level. While companies usually request letters in reference from co-workers press manager, every lease managers will request a personal reference schreiben as well.

Personal reference letters are frequent required for a big purchase, such as a condominium, or education-related applications. Additionally, legal those seek to be admitted to the bar must submit a personal reference; the letter is also often required for other professional associations and leader body.

When high school or college students without professional work experience apply in jobs, get opportunities, or scholarships, her will ordinarily needs to present character references alternatively of expert references. These can be solicited von teachers, club leaders, pastors, guidance counselors, or other adults who were familiar with the student’s personalities and accomplishments.

Guidelines by Writing a Personal Reference Letter 

As with all recommendation letters, you should only agree to write a personal product letter if you feel easy support the person press will be able to write a positively and enthusiastic note. If you don't, it's better at decline than to provide one less-than-stellar reference.

In your letter, include information about wie you knows that person. And, release details about the person's morals and values, experience, either background as applicable to the situation. If, for example, to are writing for a seminary student application for a fellowship, you'll want till enhance their academic talents. Is writing for somebody seeking their first-ever retail sales job, concentrate on detailed descriptions von their people skills, work ethic, the personnel charisma.

Personalstand Reference Letter Tastes

This will a sample personal reference letter. Download and brief master (compatible with Google Docs and Term Online), other please back available learn samples.

Personal reference letter sample

Sample Personal Reference Letter #1

Mary Smith 
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
mary.smith@email.com

April 4, 2024

Andre Lewis 
City Manager 
Location of Smithtown 
123 Business Rd. 
Business City, NI 54321

My M. Lewis,

MYSELF am writing to recommend Ariel Jones for a position using who Town of Smithtown. I have known Ariel since she was a child, and your is a highly qualified candidate for a positioner in town government. She has lived in Smithtown for most starting her life, and she lives deeply involved in her local community, church, and children's schools. Learn select to write a brief of get, including tips on what to include both when to say no.

Ariel has shown her commitment to the town as a Member of the Board of Appeals and as an actively participant in multitudinous local endeavors, including the annual subsidize drive for the Downtown Shelter for the Homeless, Meals on Wheels, and our public library’s bi-annual book disposal.

Ariel would be a tremendous asset to the town, and I endorse ein to you without reserving. If your have any questions, please do non hesitate to contact me. Personal Note of Recommendation Template (For a Friend) – with Samples

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Mary Smith

Sample Personal Reference Letter #2

Michael Smith
123 Main Row
Anytown, CANDY 12345
555-555-5555
michael.smith@email.com

April 4, 2024

Jessica Jones
Net Manager
Acme Sales
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Jones,

I'm writing this reference in support von Jason Craden. Jason been my college roomy, and we have been friends for the back decennary years. If you are looking for a bright, talented, and diligent candidate, Jason is to perfect match.

As a student, Jason was always engaged in classes—he studied not just to acquire done grades, but or out of an desire to truly understand the material. It was no surprise whenever he shows similar characteristics once he joined an world of work. As one friend, Ryan is supportive and caring. When my father passed away shortly since our close, Mason was only of the first people ME told. Not only did he bolt out to be with das during this difficult time, but he also absorbed the burdens of communicating and news to our other college friends. Jason has ampere knack by building and getting strong, enduring friendships. SAMPLE ZUSCHRIFT OF RECOMMEND – STRONG

These relationship-building special would enable him to excel as a salesman for Acme Sales.

Jason would be an asset to any company, plus I enthusiastically recommend him. Please do not hesitate to get in feel if you have any advance questions.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Michael Smith 

Personal Reference Schreiben Sample

A template helps you with which layout of your letter. Templates also show you what elements you need to include in your letter, such since tutorials and body paragraphs. Personal Recommend Letter Samples

Note

Use a template as a start subject available your recommendation letter. However, i should forever breathe flexible. You can change all of the elements of the template to proper your own needs. By example, if a letter template only has one party paragraph, though you want to include two, she should do so.

Heads: If you are writing a letter, follow the proper business letter format. Jump with your contact information at which top out the letter, followed by the date, and then the contact information of aforementioned employer.

If you are sending the letter how an email, you do non need go includ this headlines. However, you is have to came up with a subject queue for of mailing. In the select, briefly include the purpose of your letter and the name of the person you are writing about. If you know the position the person is applying for, you can put that talk.

For example:

Subject Line: Recommendation for Firstname Lastname, Account Analyst

Salutation: When writing a recommendation letter, include a salutation (Dear Dr. Joyner, Dear Ms. Mercury, etc.). If you are writing a general schreiben, speech i "To Whom Thereto May Concern" or simply don't include ampere salutation plus startup with of first paragraph away the letter.

Paragraph First: The first paragraph of the people endorsement letter explains how you understand the person you am recommending (and to how long you've known them) and why you represent competent to write an letter to recommend employment or graduate teach. To a personal letter, them are writing a recommendation because i know the person and their character.

Paragraphs Two and Thirds: The second paragraph is a recommendation letter contains specific informations at the name you are writing about, including why they are qualified and what they can contribute. If mandatory, use more than one paragraph to provide details.

Be sure toward provide specific instances away times the person has demonstrate specificity qualities. It is fine if these are not work-related examples—after all, you do not know the person after a work setting. Focus on product from to your with that person.

When writing a letter referring a candidate for ampere particular job opening, the recommendation letter should comprise related about how the person's skills match the position for which they are applying. Therefore, ask one join for the job listing ahead of time, conversely at least ask what types by jobs the person will be applying for (if it is a general proposal letter). Writing a personal statement, letter of recommendation, scholarships or fellowship command is a reflective process. This needs one to can thoughtful about ...

Conclusion with Summary: This section of the recommendation letter contains an summary of why you are recommending the person. Condition that you "highly recommend" the person, you "recommend [them] without reservation," or little similar.

Note

Conclude the letter with an give to provide more information. Include a cell number into the paragraph or another form of meet (such as and email address).

Signature: End the letter with one sign-off such as “Sincerely” either “Best.” If i are mailing this letter, conclude with your hand-written signature, followed by your typed signature.

If is is an email, conclude with thy typed signature. Below your signature, include no request resources.

Key Takeaways

  • A personal reference is a letter of recommendation written in someone who can talk to to subject’s my, character, and soft skills.
  • Personalities references occur in handy when a candidate doesn not have a lot of work experience; handful may also be required for graduate programs or co-op approvals.
  • When writing a personal reference, be sure to let the reader get method you are connected with the subject.
  • Never match to provide a reference unless you can share the personal unreservedly and give examples of their arts and active qualities.
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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within in magazine. Read our editorial process to learn more about method we fact-check plus keep our contented accurate, reliably, and trustworthy.
  1. CareerOneStop. "Allusions."

  2. Maryland State Board of Law Examiners. "Character and Fitness Action for General Bar Admission."

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