I usually take a page from The Game and answer with something ridiculous, like "Hamster Wheel Repair Technician" (I enjoy the irony) or "Oh, I'm an astronaut. You familiar with the moon? Yup - been there." which works quite well sometimes, and they'll often laugh etc. then be like "Well you don't have to tell me if you don't want to" and I'll just gloss over and move onto the next thing. Success.

However sometimes they will dodge my evasive answer and say "No, really, tell me what you do".

I'm a software engineer so it's the most unsexy job in the world, and women seem to assume your job is who you are as a person. Can practically mind-read "Oh you're a nerd" from their expression. I've tried a few ways of framing it more interestingly, or quickly glossing over it, but I can tell a lot of the time you're automatically defined by it and it makes things harder. I've tried not telling them, which comes across as too evasive or defensive, also lying but that tends to backfire later. I will try to deflect usually "Didn't realise you were a recruiter - do you want my CV? I have lots of interesting talents. Perhaps I'll show you." but sometimes they're very persistent. The disappointment is sometimes almost tangible.

It is obviously an age thing, very young don't care to press the matter, middle of the road (25-30) tend to be the ones causing this issue, and 31+ usually like that you have a good job. But it's the sub 30s that I am most interested in.

Any advice on this?