May I contact your present employer for a reference?
The Reference-check question is asked to check your confidence level and what kind of relation you have maintained with your current employer. Be prepared with your answer as almost in every interview that you face, you shall be asked this question. The company purports to check your credentials. Confidence is the key to this question. You cannot afford to fumble or seem nervous while answering this question. Follow these guidelines: 1. Start your answer with a ‘SURE, WHY NOT’. [Having said only this much, would solve your purpose.] 2. Speak the truth, no matter what it is. If you think that your previous employer is going to give an unsatisfactory review about you, then, you mention about the reason beforehand to your interviewer followed by the justification for having behaved/performed so. This shall earn you brownie points. 3. However, do ask him to enquire from your previous employer only after you have been selected for this job.