10 Ways Online Dating is Like Applying For Jobs
Posted at 5:00 AM Feb 19, 2009
By Andrea Grimes
There's nothing like Valentine's Day to make even the most secure single plenty irritated. If you're starting to question your independence, we implore you: turn not to online dating!
(For those who spent all 24 hours of Valentine's Day speed dating online, thank you for making getting plastered on a box of Franzia while watching a 24 box set sound totally, completely awesome and cool.)
It's not for you, unless, of course, you also really like applying for jobs. Because online dating is like a big, horrible job search in your heart.
Here's how:
10. The creepy classifieds connection
Personal ads, the precursors to online dating, are traditionally found in the back of the paper with the want ads, the dogs and cars to buy, and the garage sale listings. Looking for love in all the wrong places, much? Oh well--if the date doesn't work out, maybe one of those Maltese pups will!
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9. Online profile as resumé
Here are some good resumé-writing tips: create content that reflects your specific skills, use a design that grabs attention. Here are some good online profile writing tips: create content that reflects your specific skills, use a design that grabs attention. You might want to leave out the "past experience" part, though. Sends the wrong message to potential employers--meep, I mean, signficant others.
8. Salary requirements!
This part of applying for a job is always the most awkward--you don't want your price to be too high but you don't want to make it seem like you'll work for peanuts, either. Depending on what you say, maybe they won't give you an interview at all! For online dating, the equivalent is the terrifying question: What are you looking for? Long-term? Hook-up? Something casual? Fact is, it's more about presenting yourself as what you think your potential employer--agh! significant other! I did it again!--might want, as opposed to presenting yourself as you are.
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7. Every dating site has its job search counterpart
Folks go to eHarmony when they're ready to settle down and make babies; they hit up HundredK when they've put in the grunt time and are ready for the real salary deal. OKCupid equals the local alt-weekly listings, and Match is like MonsterTrak's internship listings--for when really anything will do.
6. But are there benefits?
Both online daters and job seekers are looking for the same few things: retirement funding, health care, a position with a lot of personal freedom. Maternity and paternity leave?
Comments
There's always self-employment. Or freelancing.
Posted 02/19/2009 at 08:48:05 AMSpot on representation of online dating.
Posted 02/19/2009 at 12:30:25 PMAnd when things come to an end its nice to get some severance pay/lay.
Posted 02/19/2009 at 03:29:34 PMQuite true. And yet people need to be employed and they want to be in relationships and often the most convenient way to hunt for either of those things is online. In both cases, it's best to know exactly what you're looking for and to be willing to pass on anything that doesn't meet your requirements!
Posted 02/19/2009 at 07:09:27 PMI found your post informative and helpful to me in my serious online seeking of special someone.
Posted 05/26/2009 at 07:46:43 PMYour post is thought provoking and easy to digest because it's simple and readable in nature. It give me more interest to revisit your site. Keep it coming!
Posted 05/29/2009 at 10:18:11 PMYes its kinda like looking for a job some see it as part time work and some look at it as a future but remeber it only takes one so good luck and always ladiesa free at thisisdesmoinesdating.com
Posted 12/19/2010 at 12:29:27 PM