Some firms collect references before the final decision, so the timing alone is not a reliable signal.

Recruiting may be trying to avoid delays later, especially for experienced-hire roles or fast-moving processes.

Choose people who can speak specifically about your work, judgment and collaboration, and give them context before sharing their details.

Do not treat the request as an offer guarantee. Complete the step and keep preparing for the remaining interviews.

I had references requested before my last interview and the process still continued normally.