About a year and a half ago I was waist deep in a job search. Having found a new job, I've since attempted to remove my resume from the internet. However, this hasn't stopped recruiters from finding my cell phone number.
This has become an increasing issue while I'm at work, because my patience quickly dwindles. Recruiters will call, I will answer, and I am then trapped into a long intro about:
- Who they are
- Who they work for
- Where they found my info
- An expose about the job they think would be a perfect fit for me
- Sometimes, without pause, they even begin speaking about "If you don't want it, we offer referral incentives if you have a friend who can fit the role..."
I'd like to not be rude, since any of these people could help place me into a new role in the future and I don't want to burn bridges. However I do not want to waste time listening to them because I have nothing to offer them at this time.
That being said, when is the best time to interrupt and dismiss myself from a call like this, and how can I do so in the most polite/professional manner?
Note: Answering my phone at work is permitted for my job, but I only do so in case of family emergency or in anticipation of hearing from a friend who's currently at a recovery facility over 14 hours away from me. These are both very rare but very important calls to me, and not answering my phone is not the answer I am looking for. My mom often calls from an 'unknown' number (it's just how her work dials out and can't be helped) and I cannot call my friend back. Please do not recommend any additional voicemail solutions. While they have their use, they are not helpful for my current scenario.
Additionally, I've made an effort to save the contact information after a recruiter calls so that I know not to answer in the future, but more often than not it's a new recruiter calling from a new number, so this hasn't solved much.