To Write a Character Reference Letter

R EFERENCES WHY REFERENCES ARE IMPORTANT  References confirm and reinforce your personal and professional strengths.  Referrals give instant credibility because people do not want to attach their name to a bad candidate.  References are particularly important if you were terminated from your most recent position.  References can’t get you a job (or into a graduate program), but poorly chosen references can cost you a job (or graduate program) if not properly groomed. What someone says about you has a much greater impact than what you say about yourself. IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING REFERENCES  Make sure references have a different surname than you.  Always seek permission from references before listing them on an application, reference list, or resume.  Reassure the references you will not abuse the use of their names.  Make sure an employer is interested in you before you give him/her your references’ contact information. If references are called too many times they can become apathetic, less enthusiastic, and annoyed.  Make sure your references work where they can receive calls during business hours and can privately tell about you.  Give your references a copy of your resume for their personal file.  Send a letter expressing appreciation for being a reference that includes a one-page summary that concentrates on your positive character traits, job-related skills, accomplishments, and reasons for leaving positions (if applicable).  Tell the reference the types of positions (or graduate programs) you are seeking and ask for referrals.  Advise references any time you give out their names. Tell the references who will be calling, the nature of the position, your qualifications, any special areas of employer interest or concern. This allows the references to tailor their recommendation toward the specific job position.  Ask the references to notify you when they are contacted.  Advise and thank all references when you accept a new position REFERENCE LETTERS  I believe it is the responsibility of faculty members to be available to write letters for students.  However, I also believe it is their responsibility to be honest when composing the letter. So, if you received a good grade in the class, but you came in late every class, then expect the letter to represent both characteristics.  If you know you will be requesting a reference letter from specific faculty members, then you should stop by their offices so they can get to know you better. This will allow them to customize their letters with information beyond your class performance.  You should always give your references at least two weeks to prepare a letter for you.  Tell your references the deadline when you need the letters. Personally, I would tell them the letters are due earlier than they really are.  Remember that writing the letter for you is not as important to them as it is to you. Hence, you need to make the process as easy as possible for your references. You should give them the following: Resume, Transcript, type of position/graduate program you are applying, what semester you had the faculty member for class and what grade you received, any other relevant information (e.g., helped with research, with grading, advising). REFERENCE LETTER(S) FROM ME  Once I write a letter for you, I will keep the letter on my computer for future reference. Also, I will customize the letter to each organization or graduate program.  I will also write a more generic letter (if requested) for your career portfolio or if you are including reference letters in a shotgun approach (i.e., mailing out lots of cover letters, resumes, and reference letters to prospective employers).  I require the form on the following pages to be filled out before I will write your letters. REFERENCE LETTERS FOR JOBS  Provide a copy of your resume.  Provide a copy of your transcript(s).  Complete the table and three questions below. Just delete the examples and type in your own information.  For letters that need to be mailed, provide addresses on peel-off labels. Position Title Child Placement Coordinator Address Jane Smith, MSW Director Youth & Family Services Northridge, CA 91330 Jane Smith, Ph.D. Superintendent ABC Senior High School Los Angeles, CA 90000 Not applicable Deadline 12/01/07 Delivery Mail to organization Additional Comments Requires the candidate to be fluent in Spanish, which I am. Wants a person with experience working with adolescents. I was a high school math teacher for 3 years in a Los Angeles public school. Requires 2 years of teaching experience. I was a high school math teacher for 3 years in a Los Angeles public school. I would like 5 signed generic letters for school counseling positions School Counselor 11/15/07 I will pick letter up I will pick letter up School Counselor 11/15/07 When did we first meet, and in what capacity? I came to you for advising in September 2007, and/or I was in your FCS 432 class in Fall 2007 What class(es) did you take with me, what semester, and what grade(s) did you receive? Course FCS 340 Term Spring 2007 Grade ACourse FCS 432 Term Fall 2007 Grade B+ Course FCS 495 Term Fall 2007 Grade A Course Term Grade Course Term Grade Is there any other information you want me to know? I volunteered with the CSUN Helpline. I worked on your research project for 2 semesters. I speak Fluent Armenian and Farsi. REFERENCE LETTERS FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS  Provide a copy of your resume.  Provide a copy of your transcript(s).  Provide a copy of statement of purpose (if applicable)  Complete the table and three questions below. Just delete the examples and type in your own information.  For letters that need to be mailed, provide addresses on peel-off labels. University California State University Northridge Program Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Masters Other Forms? No Address Selection Committee 18111 Nordhoff Street Educational Psychology & Counseling Northridge, CA 91330 Jane Smith, Ph.D. Director of Psychology 100 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90000 Deadline 12/01/07 Delivery Mail to School University of California Los Angeles Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Yes 11/15/07 I will pick up When did we first meet, and in what capacity? I came to you for advising in September 2007, and/or I was in your FCS 432 class in Fall 2007 What class(es) did you take with me, what semester, and what grade(s) did you receive? Course FCS 340 Term Spring 2007 Grade ACourse FCS 432 Term Fall 2007 Grade B+ Course FCS 495 Term Fall 2007 Grade A Course Term Grade Course Term Grade Is there any other information you want me to know? I volunteered with the CSUN Helpline. I worked on your research project for 2 semesters. I speak Fluent Armenian and Farsi.