Dating apps are finding a new purpose in the modern world, presenting hopeful candidates with the hope of job opportunities instead of true love. It appears that job seekers are swiping right on dating apps in pursuit of a career opportunity they can learn to love. A new survey found that one-third of dating app users have used the platforms for career-related ambitions, hopeful that a lucky swipe will land them work. Almost 1 in 10 explained that a job search via these dating apps was their primary reason for signing up.
The story sounds like a silly non-issue at first glance, a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit of job seekers doing whatever it takes to find the perfect job. A closer look at the Tinder job search strategy presents a haunting picture of the job market today, where the plethora of existing professional job search tools is still not enough for workers to find the opportunity of their dreams.
Job seekers are swiping right on dating platforms, hoping to find job opportunities and build their professional networks. (Image: Freepik)
Job Seekers are Swiping Right on Dating Apps In Hopes of Finding Work
A recent illuminating survey by ResumeBuilder found that one in three dating app users claim they have used the platforms for jobs or career-related purposes. Nearly half of them were motivated to do so due to the poor job market. The dating apps job hunt wasn’t seen exclusively among Gen Z, with middle-aged workers also reporting having attempted such a novel job search strategy.
Men were more willing to use dating platforms for such connections, with 37% admitting to doing so, compared to 30% of women. There was a difference in such usage found on the basis of income as well. Only 27% of ResumeBuilder survey respondents earning below $50,000 admitted to using dating apps for networking, while 47% of those who earned over $200,000 did the same.
How Does Job Hunting via Dating Apps Work?
The survey didn’t just break down how many job seekers were swiping right on dating apps for job opportunities, but also explored what the goal of this strategy was. Around 63% of respondents claimed their focus was to expand their network, while 42% hoped they could find job leads or referrals. In addition, 40% were hoping to receive job offers, 38% were in search of career advice, and 34% were crossing their fingers for a job interview.
The mission of a job search on such unconventional apps was also reshaping who they were swiping on. Around 75% of the respondents admitted to intentionally swiping on people in specific roles of interest, with 66% targeting matches with people who worked at prestigious companies they were interested in. One might worry that this is a pointed misuse of the app and an approach that is unfair for those on the app hoping for attention for the purpose of romance, but that’s a conversation for a different day.
Do Dating Apps Really Help In Finding Job Opportunities?
Regardless of the morality of the strategy, using dating apps for job opportunities is certainly working for many. Many users have reportedly managed to land referrals, interviews, and some even job offers. Around 88% of survey participants claim they have successfully made professional connections, and 51% of them have even met their connections in person.
The success has been greatest for those looking for mentorship in their careers, but 39% were lucky enough to land interviews. About 37% also managed to secure a job lead, referral, or a job opportunity. All things considered, the process of job hunting via dating apps appears to be much easier on job seekers than the arduous process of applying for roles online, where applicants number in the hundreds.
Employees Find Hope and Connection of an Unlikely Kind
The Tinder job search strategy appears to be working well for some, and it could be the new frontier for making professional connections. The strategy works well because personal connections create a very stable ground for building professional ones, and many users have their guards down and open themselves up for conversation on dating apps. Most of the job seekers who have turned to dating apps state that they have been clear about their intentions, some reshaping their profiles to read more like a resume.
Even without the possibility of job opportunities waiting on the other end, many have managed to network with others in their industry, finding support, advice, and unity in their struggles to find and maintain their work lives. These connections are vital at a time when workers feel isolated and disconnected from their workplace, plagued by concerns about where their career should go next. Such benefits make dating apps an ideal pitstop in an individual’s job hunt, but it is also important to be cautious.
Should You Start Using Dating Apps For Your Job Search?
HR scams and fake job listings are already on the rise, and we’ve heard the warnings of catfishing and other, more serious dangers of dating apps. Fraudulent accounts make up a significant chunk of these platforms, and there are many who might mislead a hopeful job seeker with the promise of opportunity. It is unlikely that you’ll come across a recruiter or a legitimate hiring team looking for candidates on Bumble or Tinder, but you may be able to make connections that bring you closer to accessing these contacts at an organization.
If your job search leads you to these unconventional platforms in hopes of career advancement, it is crucial to remain on high alert, as it could be far easier for a scamster to use that hope to their advantage. Swipe carefully and chat with caution as you step into this new and dystopian world of job seeking.
What do you think about job seekers swiping right on dating apps for job opportunities? Share your thoughts and experiences with us. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.