Character Reference Letter For Employment Template for New Zealand

The Character Reference Letter For Employment is a crucial document in New Zealand's employment landscape, typically used to support job applications or during the final stages of the hiring process. It serves as a personal testament to a candidate's character, written by someone who knows the candidate well but is usually not their direct employer or supervisor. The document should include specific examples of the candidate's personal qualities, reliability, and character traits while complying with New Zealand's privacy and employment legislation. Unlike professional references, character references focus more on personal attributes and can be written by mentors, community leaders, teachers, or long-term professional acquaintances. The letter plays a significant role in helping employers assess cultural fit and personal qualities that might not be evident from a resume or professional reference.

1. Letter Header: Includes date, referee's contact information, and recipient's details if known

2. Salutation: Professional greeting, either addressed to a specific person or 'To Whom It May Concern'

3. Introduction: States the purpose of the letter and identifies the candidate being recommended

4. Relationship Context: Explains how the referee knows the candidate and for how long

5. Character Assessment: Describes the candidate's personal qualities, work ethic, and character traits

6. Specific Examples: Provides concrete examples of the candidate's achievements or demonstrations of their qualities

7. Closing Statement: Strong endorsement and invitation to contact for further information

8. Sign-off: Professional closing, signature, and referee's name and position