How to Turn Down a Recruiter

I like this recent Business Insider post on how to turn down a recruiter if you are not interested in a job.

1. Respond briefly but gracefully. Let the recruiter know if you are not interested and why, for example timing is not right but to check again in X months, or you’d like a job more focused in the Y space. I note the reasons and reach out again to those lawyers when I have something that fits. If they don’t respond at all, I rarely reach out again.
2. Show gratitude (definitely not rudeness). Saying thank you goes a long way. Being rude does no good to anyone, especially your reputation, and recruiters can open or close doors for you in the future.
3. Suggest friends who could be a good fit. Generosity makes an impression. I go out of my way to help those who go out of their way to help me.
4. Discuss the market with the recruiter. I appreciate feedback on whether the compensation range is appropriate or what skills are in demand. Lawyers can learn about the market too.

You can do all the above in 3 short sentences, e.g., “Thank you for reaching out! Although X sounds interesting, I am not in a position to move for another # months. I’m happy to chat briefly about X to see if I have friends who are a good fit.”