example letters

(print Reference Letter on company letterhead or standard paper)

October 26, 2002

To whom it may concern:

RE: Character Reference – Jeremy Swanson

The purpose of this is to provide a character reference for Mr. Jeremy Swanson whom I have known as a classmate, roommate, and friend for a period of five years.

I first met Jeremy in our freshman year at Adirondack College. We were both studying a general arts program there and became acquainted through a number of common classes that we shared. By second year, we had become friends and decided to take an off-campus apartment together. We shared that living arrangement until we both graduated last year.

Accordingly, having gotten to know Jeremy so well over the past few years, I believe puts me in a position to provide you with a pretty accurate assessment of his character.

As a student, Jeremy was a hard-working and highly committed to his education. I believe that his excellent transcripts will attest to that fact. In addition, he was quite involved in a number of extra-curricular activities including the track and field team and the school newspaper. In fact, in his last two years he was Assistant Editor of the “Campus Inquirer.” Outgoing, and always willing to help someone out, Jeremy was very popular with his fellow students.

As a roommate, Jeremy was a great choice. He was very neat and tidy at all times and he liked things in the apartment to be kept orderly. He made a point of cleaning his own room and the common living areas on a regular basis. He socialized occasionally at home but was always respectful of my needs, and he and his guests kept the noise down and ended their activities at a reasonable hour.

As a friend, Jeremy Swanson is a standout. He is a loyal, honest, considerate, and supportive individual who has the ability to see and understand things from another person’s perspective. He is a great direct communicator and knows how to raise and discuss common living issues and problems in a non-threatening manner. He is hyper-sensitive and is always tuned into how another person might “feel” in a given situation. He likes to have fun too. During our years at school we maintained an ongoing friendly rivalry on the squash courts.

To tell the truth, I really can’t think of anything of consequence on the negative side of the personality ledger when it comes to Jeremy. All in all, I would have to say that Jeremy Swanson is a fine, well-balanced person with an abundance of positive qualities.

Sincerely,

Charles Farmington

Letters of Recommendation

Writing Reference Letters
Almost everyone is asked to write a reference letter at some time during their career. Whether it’s for an employee, a friend, or someone you’ve worked with, it is important to be prepared to write an effective letter of recommendation. It’s equally important to be ready to say “no” if you’re not comfortable recommending someone for employment.
It’s actually in the person’s best interest for you to politely decline writing a reference letter if you can’t provide more than a wishy-washy endorsement. A less than positive reference can cause as much harm as a negative reference. Employers are usually good at reading between the lines and will pick up on what you’re not saying. If you decline, the person can move on to another reference who may be able to provide a glowing recommendation. A simple way out is to say that you are not familiar enough with their work or background to provide a reference. That way you can minimize any potential hurt feelings.
If you’re thrilled to be asked, but, not sure what to say, ask the person for a copy of their resume and a list of accomplishments. This will give you guidelines to use when composing a letter. Start by describing how long you’ve known the person and in what capacity. Include dates of employment and details on how you’ve worked with (or known) the person.
Continue by describing the person’s skills and performance and what makes them an ideal candidate for a potential new employer. Also include two or three outstanding attributes. End by summarizing why you are recommending this person for employment. You may also want to provide a phone number or email address so employers can follow up if they have questions or want more information.