Recruiter Response Generator - Reply to Headhunter Messages
Generate a professional response to a recruiter message in seconds. 4 templates: interested and want to hear more, not looking right now, wrong role but open to others, and actively looking with urgency. Free, no sign-up.
4 Response Types
Interested, not looking right now, wrong fit but open to hearing more, or actively looking. Each template builds the relationship while being clear about where you stand.
Keep the Door Open
Even if you are not interested in this particular role, a professional reply keeps you in the recruiter's network. The next message from them might be the right one.
Works for Email and LinkedIn
Whether the recruiter contacted you by email or LinkedIn InMail, these templates work for both channels and maintain the right professional tone.
How the Recruiter Response Generator Works
Three steps to a ready-to-send response.
Choose Your Situation
Are you interested, not currently looking, or is this the wrong type of role? Pick the template that matches your current position.
Fill In Your Details
Enter your name, the recruiter's name, and the role they mentioned. Optional fields let you add context about what you would actually want.
Copy and Send
Copy the response and send it directly. The whole process takes under a minute.
Generate Your Recruiter Response
How to Respond to a Recruiter - The Right Way
Most professionals either ignore recruiter messages entirely or respond impulsively without thinking about what they want from the conversation. Both approaches cost you. Ignoring messages means losing a relationship that could be valuable later. Responding without clarity means entering a process that takes up time and may not lead anywhere useful.
The most valuable thing you can communicate to a recruiter - regardless of whether you are interested in their current role - is what you are looking for. A recruiter who knows you want a Head of Product role at a Series B company in fintech will contact you again when that role comes up. A recruiter who only knows you declined their last message has no useful information about you at all.
Even if you are completely happy in your current role, responding professionally to every recruiter message has an asymmetric return. It costs you two minutes and occasionally opens a door you did not know existed. Most senior moves happen through a recruiter who reached out speculatively, not through a job listing the candidate found themselves.
If you are actively looking, make that extremely clear in your response. Recruiters work on timelines and have multiple candidates. Being specific about your urgency, your availability for a call, and your timeline for moving means you are processed quickly rather than filed for later.
Recruiter Message Questions, Answered
Should you always respond to recruiter messages?
Yes, if at all possible. Even a brief decline keeps you in the recruiter's network. Recruiters are not offended by a 'not right now' - they are offended by silence, because silence wastes their time and gives them no information. A professional, brief response - even a no - keeps the door open for future conversations. The generator makes this quick enough that there is no good reason not to.
How do you respond to a recruiter when you are not looking for a job?
Be honest and brief. Thank them for reaching out, let them know you are not actively looking at the moment, and optionally share what would change your mind (what type of role, company, or change in circumstances would make you consider moving). This gives the recruiter useful information for future outreach and keeps the relationship warm. The 'Not Looking Right Now' template is designed for this.
How do you respond to a recruiter when you are actively looking?
Lead with your availability. Say clearly that you are actively exploring opportunities, mention the type of role and company you are targeting (be specific), and suggest a time for a call. Recruiters have multiple candidates and move fast - a response that makes it easy to schedule a call will be prioritised over a response that requires several more back-and-forth messages to get to a call.
What should you tell a recruiter about what you are looking for?
Be specific. Role level (not just 'senior'), function, industry or company stage (startup vs. enterprise, B2B vs. B2C), location or remote preference, and rough compensation range if you are comfortable sharing. The more specific you are, the more useful you are to a recruiter. A recruiter with detailed preferences will call you when the right role comes up. One with only 'open to new opportunities' will not know who to call.
More Recruiter Response Questions
Common questions about managing recruiter outreach. Ask a Question .
How do you decline a recruiter politely?
Thank them for reaching out, let them know you are not available or interested right now, and give them one piece of useful information about what you would consider in the future. This takes two minutes and keeps you in their candidate pool for relevant future roles. Avoid ghosting or a curt one-line decline - these are remembered, and recruiters have long memories.
Is it OK to tell a recruiter what you are actually earning?
You are not obligated to share your current salary - and in many jurisdictions it is actually illegal for recruiters to ask. You can redirect salary questions to your target compensation: 'I am targeting a total compensation of X for this type of move.' This is more useful to both parties than your current salary and avoids anchoring the negotiation to your existing package.
Should you be honest with a recruiter about interviewing elsewhere?
Yes, broadly. If you have active processes elsewhere, telling a recruiter you are in late-stage interviews at other companies is useful information that may actually speed up their process. You do not need to name the companies. If you receive an offer, tell your recruiter immediately - this creates legitimate timeline pressure and they will respect you for being transparent.
How quickly should you respond to a recruiter message?
Within 24 to 48 hours if possible. Recruiters are managing multiple searches and multiple candidates. A fast response signals responsiveness and professionalism - two qualities they are evaluating even before you have had a formal conversation. For roles you are genuinely interested in, responding the same day is advisable. For roles you are declining, within two days is courteous.
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