Character reference?

[vvaannmmaann]

My neighbour has just asked me to provide him with a character reference for a new job he is applying for."Yes of course" says I," No problem!"
I have never done one before,what should I say,is there a 'proper' way of doing it etc etc?
Ta in advance.

 

What kind of job is he applying for? The reason i ask is personally, if it was me writing a character reference for someone i would tailor it to the role he would be doing. Obviously if he is going to be stacking shelves at a supermarket then i wouldn't go all chapter and verse.

Look at from an employers point of view.....what would you want to see?

Personally, i wouldn't want to see just cliche phrases - i'd want examples *IF* the job warranted that much detail, similar to a court character reference.

Anyone can use cliches such as hardworking, reliable, punctual.

 

[Zeno]

Why is an employer asking for a character reference?

This seems a strange thing to ask for. Why not a reference from his previous employer/s?

As his neighbour, you can offer no real confirmation of anything of relevance to a job. If he plays loud music all night that is no concern to his new employer unless it prevents him coming in of a morning.

Are you sure he is not asking you to pretend to be his employer?

 

Why is an employer asking for a character reference?

This seems a strange thing to ask for. Why not a reference from his previous employer/s?

As his neighbour, you can offer no real confirmation of anything of relevance to a job. If he plays loud music all night that is no concern to his new employer unless it prevents him coming in of a morning.

Are you sure he is not asking you to pretend to be his employer?

Correct me if i'm wrong but i am almost certain that if you are joing the police they ask you to get character references or i know they used to.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Zeno the guy was in the same job for almost 25 years.Got made redundant a couple of weeks ago,and he wants nothing more to do with his previous employers.

 

[Zeno]

Zeno the guy was in the same job for almost 25 years.Got made redundant a couple of weeks ago,and he wants nothing more to do with his previous employers.

If I were you I would make sure that you are giving a character reference only based upon your relationship as neighbours/friends.

I would not have this on your business headed paper for example.

There is nothing wrong with this but I would make it absolutely clear that you have never employed him.

I must admit that I suspect any employer will place little faith in this. I certainly wouldn't accept an employment reference from someone's friend. Like most things, it seems pointless as they won't supply the details of anyone other than someone who will sing their praises.

 

If I were you I would make sure that you are giving a character reference only based upon your relationship as neighbours/friends.

I would not have this on your business headed paper for example.

There is nothing wrong with this but I would make it absolutely clear that you have never employed him.

I must admit that I suspect any employer will place little faith in this. I certainly wouldn't accept an employment reference from someone's friend. Like most things, it seems pointless as they won't supply the details of anyone other than someone who will sing their praises.

You'd be suprised!

Around 9 months ago i recieved a reference form through the post from social services / adoption agency regarding some "friends" who wanted to adopt a second child. They just presumed i would give them a glowing reference and thought that i would be best suited as i can be quite good with words.

They never actually asked me, they just put my name down and i did send it back but i was brutally honest and it was certainly anything but glowing!

I know that went a little off track but sometimes people just presume you will give them a glowing reference.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

He is a very nice guy.Hard worker,very good to his wife etc etc.I certainly don't want to think that anything I write would stop him from getting the job.
So if I explain that we are neighbours,and I can only comment on what I see of him at home,and that I cannot comment on his work related skills.
Would that be ok?

 

He is a very nice guy.Hard worker,very good to his wife etc etc.I certainly don't want to think that anything I write would stop him from getting the job.
So if I explain that we are neighbours,and I can only comment on what I see of him at home,and that I cannot comment on his work related skills.
Would that be ok?

It won't stop him getting the job, it probably won't ever get read - it'll just be them box ticking.

Dependant of the job he is applying for i would tailor it a little and like i said before try and avoid cliches. Also important to mention how long and it what capacity you know him i.e. say you are his neighbour.

 

[SusanP]

All you need to say (if it's in writing) is something like "I've known X in the capacity of next-door neighbour for 15 years. We have never had any dispute in that time, and I have always found him helpful and reliable. His daughter has babysat our children for several years and our wives are very good friends. X is well known in the road, as he is friendly and sociable". You can add more if you wish.

This tells an employer that the bloke is perfectly ordinary and decent, which is what they want to know. They won't rely on your reference alone, but will probably contact his old employers if they need a work reference. He will have mentioned his previous employer on his application form so it will be easy for any potential employer to get a work reference.

By the way, if your neighbour is just giving your contact details to a potential employer, be prepared for that employer to ring you up for your comments rather than write to you.

 

[Richie N]

I would still do the reference on your business letterhead, as it shows you are a professional, they are likely to take your reference more serious than others.
You will need to state its a character reference and in what capacity.

 

[Zeno]

I would still do the reference on your business letterhead, as it shows you are a professional, they are likely to take your reference more serious than others.
You will need to state its a character reference and in what capacity.

My opinion is that would be misleading as it will change the way that it is perceived even if you do state it is only a character reference.

 

[Richie N]

My opinion is that would be misleading as it will change the way that it is perceived even if you do state it is only a character reference.

I disagree, anyone can provide a character reference but when I provide them, I do it via the business, especially as I am in recruitment.
It's more recognised as a business owner.

 

[Zeno]

I disagree, anyone can provide a character reference but when I provide them, I do it via the business, especially as I am in recruitment.
It's more recognised as a business owner.

I would deem that pretty risky. In this case Vanman is not being asked anything in his capacity as a business owner so has real reason to do it via the business.

The fact that it is more recognised by the prospective employer is the problem. It will be percieved to be more than it is.

 

[MrsPWN]

I am in the process of applying for another job and have been asked for 2 references, 1 to be my current employer (or currant as it states ) and one to be personal. Although my best friend/neighbour is a business woman as that is not the capacity she is replying in I wouldn't expect her to use her business paper.

 

[Richie N]

I would deem that pretty risky. In this case Vanman is not being asked anything in his capacity as a business owner so has real reason to do it via the business.

The fact that it is more recognised by the prospective employer is the problem. It will be percieved to be more than it is.

Well it's just my opinion and I am in recruitment, so we are asked to references in any capacity.

 

[Zeno]

I must admit that Iam struggling to see why an employer would ask for a personal character reference, if I can be from anyone the applicant chooses.

Is this common?

 

[KM-Tiger]

Is this common?

Perhaps in some occupations.

I did one last year for a former supplier who had decided on a total change of direction, and needed a character reference for a new job.

Don't think it matters whether on business or personal stationery. Obviously one needs to be clear about what the relationship was/is, and anyway, if it really matters, someone is going to phone to check.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

You're just being asked for a character reference - that's all, they want to know if he's friendly, pleasant, gets on with people, how long you've known him, not whether you think he's capable of rebuilding the Cutty Sark.
It should be personal, not professional, don't use your business name or letter head unless it's relevant to the information being requested. Make it clear that the information you give is "to the best of your knowledge" and include a disclaimer to the effect that the reference is intended as your personal opinion only and that as such you are giving it in good faith. Of couse, if the bloke's a complete git ........

 

Perhaps in some occupations.

I did one last year for a former supplier who had decided on a total change of direction, and needed a character reference for a new job.

Don't think it matters whether on business or personal stationery. Obviously one needs to be clear about what the relationship was/is, and anyway, if it really matters, someone is going to phone to check.

Definately i would not have it on business paper.

 

You're just being asked for a character reference - that's all, they want to know if he's friendly, pleasant, gets on with people, how long you've known him, not whether you think he's capable of rebuilding the Cutty Sark.
It should be personal, not professional, don't use your business name or letter head unless it's relevant to the information being requested. Make it clear that the information you give is "to the best of your knowledge" and include a disclaimer to the effect that the reference is intended as your personal opinion only and that as such you are giving it in good faith. Of couse, if the bloke's a complete git ........

As i said previously the employer is probably just ticking boxes.....none of us know what the job is - whether it is stacking shelves for Asda or sales & marketing director for a large multi-million pound turnover company.

If my friend / neighbour asked me to give a character reference then i would do this to the best of my ability, regardless of whether i thought it would ever get read or not!

 

[saxondale]

I must admit that Iam struggling to see why an employer would ask for a personal character reference, if I can be from anyone the applicant chooses.

Is this common?

very, yes.

 

[Zeno]

Just to make clear, I am not advocating that Vannman does not give the reference, just that he should be careful with the method and format that he does so.

We live in an increasingly litigious society where people are not adverse to taking legal action at the drop of a hat so you have to be ever more careful with regards to things like this.