How Does a Person Get Someone to Be a Character Reference?

Build Relationships

To get someone to be a character witness, someone who will vouch for you and say that you are a good and honest person, you must first develop relationships so that people will see you in that manner. You must be cordial to people you meet and never purposely hurt others. This will help people to always remember you in a favorable manner and make them more than happy to be a character reference.

Stay in Touch with Quality People

As you develop relationships in life, you must keep in touch with people who impress you and who you know are also impressed by you. Keep business cards, names and phone numbers of people in business and who are leaders I the community. Touch base with them from time to time to make sure your contact information is current.

Always Ask Permission First

When you need to call on someone to be a character reference, you should turn to the contacts you have made in the past as possible candidates. Call all of your possible character references and ask to give out their information as a character reference before you do it. Do this whenever you decide to start circulating your resume. or if you decide to apply for any positions.
By first calling possible character references, you give them the opportunity to plan what they might say about you. By not calling them first, you give the impression that you are impolite and they could express that they were not expecting such as call. This will reflect badly upon you.