Politely say, " I will be happy to provide references at the appropriate juncture". Don't waste your time and start jumping through hoops early in the interview process as it lowers your status as a candidate. This is a rude and inappropriate request at this stage of a hiring process. Reference requests are a due diligence, last step before making a formal offer. Don't let some interviewer try to exert control over you with this tactic.

To ensure your references are always ready, proactively maintain strong relationships with them. Keep them updated on your career progress and goals, so they can speak confidently about your current strengths. Periodically check in with your references, and let them know if you’re actively job-seeking so they aren’t caught off guard. Additionally, prepare a "References Portfolio" with tailored talking points for each reference, emphasizing key skills or accomplishments you want them to highlight. This ensures their feedback aligns with the role you're pursuing, enhancing your chances of securing the position even during unexpected requests.

When you're requested to provide any references during an informational interview, be polite and check in with the interviewer in terms of the status of your application. Example: will they preoare an Offer Letter or does it form part of their formal process with no guarantee in that stage yet that they'll extend an Offer to you? If the latter is the case, you can kindly advise that your references are valuable, too, nit wishing to expose them into an uncertain sutuation (Job Offer vs No Job Offer). A professional interviewer should understand these sensitivities, in my opinion. When you don't feel righr about it, don't share and move to another, better, opportunity. Good luck!