HANDLING THE REFERENCE QUESTION DURING AN INTERVIEW "Do you have references?" the interviewer asks during the initial interview. What should you do? Hand them right over? For most companies, reference checking is an important and necessary part of the hiring process. With the costs of hiring an employee ranging from $6,000 to over $25,000 (if relocation is involved), employers want to make sure that their investment pays off. Understanding the value of the reference, preparing the references,... Sign in to see full entry.