Would your current employer be willing to provide a reference for you?

How to Answer
Answer Example

If you have some work experience, the interviewer might ask you to provide employment references. The best work references are people you have reported to directly; however, if those references are unavailable to you, the interviewer may also accept a person in leadership from a different department or a team member that you work closely with.

If you do not have any work-related references, you can ask a teacher, professor, coach, religious leader, or the parent of a friend. In this case, be sure that the personal reference can speak about your character, ethics, and personality. Before your interview, make sure you have your references prepared just in case the interviewer requests them. If you don't feel comfortable using your current employer as a reference, explain that you have other references better suited at this time. Those can be past supervisors.

"I am happy to provide you with a reference from my previous supervisor from Company XYZ. Since Company ABC still employs me, I cannot ask my current manager for a reference; however, my English professor agreed to be a character reference."

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How to Answer: Would your current employer be willing to provide a reference for you?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Amazon job interview.

26. Would your current employer be willing to provide a reference for you?

How to Answer

If you have some work experience, the interviewer might ask you to provide employment references. The best work references are people you have reported to directly; however, if those references are unavailable to you, the interviewer may also accept a person in leadership from a different department or a team member that you work closely with.

If you do not have any work-related references, you can ask a teacher, professor, coach, religious leader, or the parent of a friend. In this case, be sure that the personal reference can speak about your character, ethics, and personality. Before your interview, make sure you have your references prepared just in case the interviewer requests them. If you don't feel comfortable using your current employer as a reference, explain that you have other references better suited at this time. Those can be past supervisors.

Answer Example

"I am happy to provide you with a reference from my previous supervisor from Company XYZ. Since Company ABC still employs me, I cannot ask my current manager for a reference; however, my English professor agreed to be a character reference."

Next Question