Online Dating & Job Hunting Are The Same Exact Thing

In a world where swiping right or left has become the ultimate factor of your romantic future, there is a disturbing realization that not a lot of people realize and that is job hunting and online dating are the same exact thing. The process of finding a job and the ‘one’ is so intertwined that its practically comical, yet slightly bewildering. Don’t believe it? Well, let’s dive headfirst into the similarities of job hunting and online dating!

The Main Culprits

When it comes to dating apps and job hunting, there are a number of go to platforms that everyone uses and depends on to find the one they need. One of the biggest similarity between the two is that both have a number of platforms that are designed for general usage and ones that are more targeted to a specific demographics/intentions. Don’t believe me?

Dating Apps

• Tinder- The one everyone uses
• Hinge- For those who are seriously looking
• Bumble- The one where nothing happens

Job Apps/Online Job Boards

• Indeed- The one everyone uses
• Linkedin- For those who are seriously looking
• Zip Recruiter- The one where nothing happens

The Profile Picture

Another big similarity between job hunting and online dating is the inevitable profile setup. On dating apps, you have to present yourself as the someone who is a cross between a Greek god and a movie star, when in reality you are probably someone who normally binges every Star Wars movie and occasionally think about the Roman Empire.

Meanwhile, when you are setting up your job profile on sites like Linkedin, you have to present yourself as an absolute professional who is dedicated to their craft, when in reality you just want to get a job that pays you well enough so you don’t absolutely hate yourself.

The fact that you have to spend so much time and effort in presenting an idealized version of yourself is something the two has heavily in common and if you don’t present an aesthetically pleasing profile then chances are you are going to end up ignored and ghosted.

The Endless Scrolling

After taking some time to set up your profile, then begins ‘The Hunt’. Whether if you are on dating apps or online job boards, you are going to be finding yourself endlessly scrolling through hundreds of options. Whether if you are looking for somebody who is 6 feet tall with a six figure salary or a job that allows you to work remotely anywhere in the world, you are going to be searching.

Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble are going to make you swipe through profiles from the most desirable beach pics profiles to the most odd and questionable profiles that doesn’t show any faces. The same exact thing can be said for job listing sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Zip Recruiter, because there are going to be job postings that you think are perfect for you, postings that sound like a dream, and postings that sound super questionable and suspicious as hell.

The First Impression

If you manage to find a match or if someone reaches out to you, because of your ‘charming’ profile then you are going to have to impress them with a face-to-face.

In the dating world, this is often called as the ‘First Date’ meanwhile in the professional world this is called an ‘Interview’. Both require you to dress appropriately, meet at a certain time and place, and most importantly you have to have some of mental game plan to get what you want.

Whether if its a quick meaningless one night stand or a salary that pays a little above the minimum wage, you cannot show up as a sweaty nervous wreck. Instead, you have to impress whoever you are meeting and show them you are the one they have they been looking for.

The Ghosting Epidemic

Depending on your “performance” during your first impression, there are a number of things that could happen, however, if you didn’t wow people with your charming personality then chances are, you are going to be ghosted. While this is a fairly common practice among dating apps, this tactic is slowly making its way to the professional world of recruitment.

Hiring managers and HR reps are not hesitant of ghosting applicants they don’t think are a fit, because they are being bombarded with hundreds of messages and applications everyday from people. Any woman on a dating app can surely relate heavily to this feeling of being instantly overwhelmed with more options than you can handle.

For those being ghosted, I know it sucks, but at least in dating, you can console yourself with a tub of ice cream or any other sweet of your choice.

Believe Me Now?

Online dating and job hunting in this day and age share such a strikingly similar experience that it can get mentally and emotionally exhausting. So, next time you find yourself navigating the treacherous waters of online dating apps or perusing job listings, remember that you’re not alone in this hilariously satirical odyssey. And who knows, maybe your perfect match is out there, both in love and employment, just waiting for you to swipe right and say, “You’re the one!”

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