A character reference is needed when someone wants to know about your personality and what values you uphold. Previous employers, landlords, friends, neighbors, etc. can provide such information. If you have been asked to provide information about individuals who can vouch for you, you can use a template to neatly organize this information.
An easy-to-use template for compiling a character reference list has been developed at WordLayouts which features pre-defined sections to include all necessary information about individuals who can provide a testimony for you.
At the start of the template, you can write your Full Name, Address, Phone, and Email Address. Next, the template is divided into two sections: one for professional references and one for personal references. This balanced approach will ensure that the reviewer gets a well-rounded image of your personality.
Professional References
In this section of the template, you will find pre-defined fields to include comprehensive information about individuals who you have known in a professional capacity. The fields include Name, Title, Company Name, Phone Number, Email, Address, Professional Relationship, and Address.
For professional references, think of including your previous managers, colleagues, supervisors, departmental heads, etc.
Personal References
The purpose of this section of the template is to include people you know outside of your professional network. These can be your landlord, neighbors, relatives, friends, team members for any sport you play, etc.
The text fields are designed specifically to include information that will be credible and useful for the potential employer or reviewer. The fields include Name, Relationship, Known for years, Phone Number, Email Address and Address.
When You Might Need a Character Reference List
Character references are required in various situations, such as job applications, legal matters like child custody or probation, immigration and visas, rental applications, and fostering and adoption applications. While an employment reference vouches for an individual’s competence and relevant work experience, a character reference serves an entirely different purpose.
Character references are used to provide perspective on an individual’s personality and assess your soft skills and values. For employment or college admissions, such references can be an important piece of information for assessing your cultural fit in the organization or institution. For sensitive jobs, they can provide insights about a person’s trustworthiness and reliability.
Similarly, for legal, immigration, or fostering decisions, such references support an individual’s application and endorse their sense of responsibility, good behavior, and personal integrity.
How This Template Helps Manage Reference Information
Considering how vital these references can be in multiple situations, providing a well-structured list of references is critical. With this template, you can easily add detailed information about the individuals who can provide insights into your personality and character.
There are spaces on the template for adding six personal and five professional references. Additional sections can be added or removed as needed.
This template is fully customizable and available in multiple formats, like DOCX, Google Docs, and ODT. Once you have tailored the list according to your requirements, you can easily print it or share it online.
