What to Say When a Recruiter Keeps Contacting You
Getting contacted by a recruiter can feel like a compliment. Someone noticed your experience, your profile stood out, and they want to talk. But when the messages keep coming—and you’re not interested—it can quickly turn uncomfortable.
You might wonder:
- How do I say no without sounding rude?
- Do I need to explain why I’m not interested?
- What if I want to keep things professional for the future?
Because of this uncertainty, many people delay responding, ignore the message entirely, or send something overly apologetic. None of those options feel great.
The good news is this: you’re allowed to say no—clearly, calmly, and without guilt. Below are examples of what to say when a recruiter keeps reaching out, depending on your situation and the tone you want to set.
A Polite and Professional Decline
Best for first-time messages or recruiters you may want to keep a positive relationship with.
“Thank you for reaching out. I’m not looking to make a change at the moment, but I appreciate you considering me.”
This works because it:
- Acknowledges their effort
- Sets a clear boundary
- Ends the conversation without inviting follow-up
Polite does not mean vague. You can be courteous and still say no.
A Short and Direct Response
Best for busy moments or when you want to be efficient.
“Thanks for reaching out. I’m not interested at this time.”
There’s nothing wrong with being brief. You don’t owe additional context, future timelines, or personal details. A clear answer is often the most respectful one.
Friendly but Firm
Best when you want to keep things warm without opening the door.
“I appreciate the message. I’m happy where I am right now, so I’ll have to pass, but thanks for thinking of me.”
This strikes a balance between friendliness and clarity. It closes the loop without sounding dismissive.
When the Recruiter Follows Up Again
Sometimes recruiters continue to reach out even after you’ve declined. In that case, it’s okay to reinforce your boundary.
“Just to clarify, I’m not interested in new opportunities right now. Thanks for understanding.”
You’re not being harsh—you’re being consistent. Repeating your decision calmly helps prevent the conversation from dragging on.
When You Want to End the Outreach Completely
If messages continue and you’d like them to stop entirely, it’s appropriate to be more explicit.
“Please remove me from your outreach list. I’m not interested in hearing about new roles.”
This is a professional request, not a confrontation. You’re simply stating what you want.
What You Don’t Owe
When declining recruiter messages, remember that you do not owe:
- A detailed explanation
- An apology for your decision
- A promise to reconnect later
- Personal or career-related details
Saying no is not unkind. It’s a normal part of professional communication.
Making Saying No Easier
Even with examples, it can still feel awkward to come up with the “right” response—especially when you want to sound human, calm, and confident all at once.
That’s where nahh! comes in.
nahh! is a simple, open tool that helps you say no clearly, respectfully, and without guilt. You describe what you’re saying no to, choose who you’re responding to—like a recruiter—and select the tone that fits the situation, from polite and professional to direct or even lightly funny when appropriate. You also control how much you say, whether it’s a short message or a more complete reply.
There’s no account to create and nothing permanently stored. You stay fully in control of what you use, edit, or send.
Because saying no is a normal part of healthy communication—and having the right words can make it a lot easier.