I’ve just begun a job search and true to form I’m taking pretty much the complete opposite approach to landing a job as most people would. The result has produced some very interesting feedback already.

Here’s the scoop. When I was younger and I was trying to sell something I considered ANYONE that showed even the slightest interest in my wares a prospect. They would go into my “sales funnel” for intermitent follow-up via phone and email as per my Sales Manager’s instruction.

What is obvious now but what never dawned on me back then was that having someone’s business card or email address does not make them a legitimate sales prospect and spending any time following-up with them is a waste of my time – not to mention irritating to them.

The problem is that the majority of sales people (and job hunters) are desperate and they’ll do anything NOT to hear the word “no”. To them “no” is final so they would rather fool themselves into believing that the person is just thinking about it or is too busy to get back to them. That may or may not be the case but spending any time or effort convincing them is not a good idea.

The approach I’m taking is from a page of my own lead generation methods. Of course, I provide as much positive information as I can up-front but I also make two other things abundantly clear that most people tend to hide. First, I share my shortcomings as an employee and second, what I am looking for from an employer.

The reason I do this is to disqualify companies that wouldn’t be a good fit for me. Employment is a two-way street and I don’t want to waste anyone’s time (including my own) going through phone calls and interviews only to find out later that something that they need is not anything I am willing or able to provide.

By putting it all on the table, I’m definitely going to turn some prospective employers off. However, I would not be a good fit for those employers anyway so I’m doing both of us a favour. On an emotional level I also won’t get the false sensation that I’m a great guy and that everybody likes me but that isn’t what I’m going for either.

I am looking for a company that can best leverage my skills and where I can have fun and make a difference. And I know that when someone does make the effort to contact me they already have a good idea of what I’m all about ie. they’re qualified. The other thing that I’m finding is that most of them appreciate this approach.

Now the question is, “Are you doing something similar in your business? Are you holding on to “prospects” that aren’t really prospects?” There is nothing wrong with this if you’ve followed my advice on this site and use an automated autoresponder to provide relevant information to follow-up with them. However, if you’re spending any of your valuable time doing so, cut them loose, man!

You’ll be doing yourself and them a huge favour. The word “no” isn’t going to kill you and letting them go allows you to better focus your attention on those fewer but more highly qualified prospects that might actually say “yes”.