What makes a character reference strong?

Asked by: Ms. Alejandra Kihn PhD  |  Last update: March 15, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (70 votes)

A strong character reference is specific, genuine, and provides concrete examples of positive traits like integrity, work ethic, or leadership, showing how someone demonstrated those qualities in real situations, rather than just stating they possess them; it clearly defines the writer's relationship and ends with a strong, direct recommendation, keeping it concise and relevant to the opportunity.

What makes a good character reference?

A character reference should go beyond general statements like ``John is a good person'' or ``Jane is kind and hardworking.'' Instead, it should provide concrete examples that illustrate positive qualitiessuch as honesty, integrity, work ethic, compassion, or contributions to the community.

What makes a strong reference?

Ask people who will speak highly of you and can provide substantive examples to support your candidacy. Your references or recommenders, taken altogether, should be able to communicate your qualifications, motivation, and potential for success.

What are good strengths to put on a reference?

Here are some top workplace strengths, with short explanations and sample answers you can adapt to convey your own experience:

  • Problem-Solving. ...
  • Adaptability. ...
  • Communication. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Leadership. ...
  • Strong Work Ethic. ...
  • Creativity. ...
  • Emotional Intelligence.

What do judges look for in a character reference?

A judge looks for honest, specific, and credible evidence of a person's positive character and potential for rehabilitation, beyond just vague praise, using concrete examples (anecdotes, work ethic, community involvement, family role) to show traits like honesty, reliability, and remorse, while also acknowledging awareness of the offense without making excuses. 

How Pro Screenwriters Create Characters

23 related questions found

What is the hardest case to win in court?

The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, complex evidence, or specific defenses like insanity, with sexual assault, crimes against children, and white-collar crimes frequently cited as challenging due to juror bias, weak physical evidence, or technical complexity. The insanity defense is notoriously difficult because it shifts the burden of proof and faces public skepticism. 

What not to write in a character reference?

Character references should be no longer than a single page. DON'T: argue against the charges on behalf of the person or suggest that they are not guilty of the offence. Remember a character reference is only presented to the court following a conviction or guilty plea. DON'T: include information you know to be untrue.

What are the top 5 character strengths?

Character Strengths for Adults

  • Wisdom (creativity; curiosity; judgment; love of learning; perspective)
  • Courage (bravery; perseverance; honesty; zest)
  • Humanity (love; kindness; social-emotional intelligence)
  • Justice (teamwork; fairness; leadership)
  • Temperance (forgiveness; humility; prudence; self-regulation)

What are three examples of strong references?

Three excellent examples of good references are a past supervisor, a professor/mentor, and a client/vendor, as they offer professional insight into your skills, work ethic, and character from different perspectives, while avoiding personal ties like family or friends. 

What are 11 impactful words to use in a letter of recommendation?

For impactful recommendation words, focus on describing character (Integrity, Resilience, Diligence), skills (Innovative, Resourceful, Articulate), and potential (Exceptional, Insightful, Proactive), with strong action verbs like achieved, led, or transformed to highlight specific accomplishments, creating a powerful endorsement of their capabilities and future success. 

What are positive things to write in a reference?

In a recommendation letter, highlight strengths with specific examples, focusing on work ethic, skills (leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving), and positive character traits like dependability, initiative, dedication, and integrity, always connecting them to the role they're seeking. Use powerful adjectives and tell brief, memorable stories to illustrate qualities like being reliable, a quick learner, or a strong team player, ensuring you detail your relationship with the person and why they're a great fit. 

What should be avoided in a reference letter?

A successful letter should avoid:

  • General language or overly broad descriptors of the student's performance in the classroom;
  • Focusing on a student's punctuality or ability to complete the readings. ...
  • Too much time and attention detailing the relationship with the student or the content of the course.

What are the 6 details that should be included in a letter of recommendation?

A strong recommendation letter includes an introduction (your relationship), the candidate's key skills/strengths, specific anecdotes/examples proving those skills, details about their character/work ethic, a strong concluding endorsement, and your contact information for follow-up, all framed within the context of the specific opportunity they are pursuing. 

What is a 5 character reference?

It explains a person's ability to uphold standards, what their values are, and how they interact with others from the frame of reference of a person who knows them well.

What are three examples of a good reference?

Three excellent examples of good references are a past supervisor, a professor/mentor, and a client/vendor, as they offer professional insight into your skills, work ethic, and character from different perspectives, while avoiding personal ties like family or friends. 

What skills are needed for character reference?

A few examples of positive traits are strong communication skills, a good work ethic, a passionate and dedicated attitude and commitment to a particular cause. Back each statement up with an example of how the candidate has demonstrated these qualities.

What is an example of an excellent character reference?

Good character references highlight specific positive traits with anecdotes, showing reliability, work ethic, and skills, like a former manager praising an employee's initiative in solving a problem or a volunteer coordinator noting their patience with children and excellent communication. Key elements include a strong opening, specific examples (e.g., "saved 15% on costs," "helped new volunteers"), relevant skills (teamwork, problem-solving), and a confident closing recommendation for the specific role or opportunity. 

What are 5 examples of strengths?

10 strengths to mention in an interview

  • Team player: : knowing how to collaborate within a team, help each other.
  • Patient: : keeping your cool when something goes wrong, making collaboration easier.
  • Dedicated: : being focused on tasks and staying motivated to work hard.
  • Detail-orientated: : delivering quality work.

Who cannot be used as a reference?

You should not use family, close friends, or anyone you had a negative relationship with as a professional reference, as they lack objectivity; also avoid anyone unfamiliar with your work, unreliable people, or someone who hasn't agreed to be contacted, as these choices can seem biased or unprofessional and won't effectively vouch for your skills. 

What are 10 good character traits?

Ten positive character traits include honesty, kindness, integrity, responsibility, courage, compassion, fairness, resilience, respect, and empathy, representing core values like truthfulness, caring for others, moral strength, dependability, bravery, understanding, justice, perseverance, consideration, and emotional connection, essential for strong personal character and positive relationships. 

What are 7 types of strength?

The 7 types of physical strength commonly recognized in fitness are Maximal Strength, Relative Strength, Explosive Strength, Speed Strength, Starting Strength, Agile Strength, and Strength Endurance, each focusing on different aspects of force production, speed, and sustained effort for varied movements and activities.
 

What are the 5 strongest personality traits?

The five broad personality traits described by the theory are extraversion (also often spelled extroversion), agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

What are positive things to say about someone for a reference?

To give a good reference, be honest and enthusiastic, focusing on specific examples of the person's achievements, relevant skills (hard and soft), and positive work habits that align with the new job, using quantifiable results where possible (e.g., "increased sales by 10%"). Start by stating your relationship and credentials, then provide concrete instances of them exceeding expectations or demonstrating key strengths, always keeping the information factual and tailored to the role they're applying for.
 

What are red flags on resumes?

Resume red flags are warning signs like typos, unexplained gaps, job-hopping, lack of quantifiable achievements, generic content, poor formatting, and irrelevant info, signaling to recruiters potential issues with professionalism, fit, or stability, while red flags include spelling errors, unexplained gaps, job-hopping, lack of quantifiable achievements, poor formatting, irrelevant info, and unprofessional emails. To avoid them, tailor your resume, focus on impact with metrics, keep it concise, and proofread meticulously. 

Who cannot write a character reference?

Who cannot write a character reference? Avoid close family members or anyone who may lack objectivity or credibility.