At a Glance
- 1 in 3 job seekers use dating apps to find work.
- 66% target companies, 75% target specific roles.
- 37% received a job offer through these connections.
- Why it matters: Networking on dating apps is reshaping the job hunt, especially where AI resume screening biases dominate.
In today’s tight labor market, many job seekers are turning to dating apps to network, a trend that has surged as AI resume screening tools weed out qualified candidates. A recent survey shows that a significant share of users employ these platforms to find employment, and a growing number even report job offers or relationships stemming from the connections.
Why Dating Apps Are Becoming a Job-Hunting Tool
The survey by ResumeBuilder.com found that 1 in 3 users have used a dating app to find a job, and nearly 1 in 10 say it was their primary reason for joining. 66% of respondents look for users at their target companies, while 75% match with people in roles they hope to fill. 88% of those who used the apps for work say they successfully connected with someone for professional reasons.
- mentorship or career advice
- interview opportunities
- job leads or referrals
- job offers (37%)
Additionally, 38% of respondents said they ended up having a physical relationship with the person they connected with for job purposes.
Stacie Haller said:
> “Networking is the only way people are rising above the horror show that the job search is today.”
The Intersection of AI, Bias, and Networking Inequality
AI tools that scan resumes can reject candidates in seconds, but they often embed biases that favor those already in privileged networks. Networking has become the only surefire way to get a human to review a résumé. Cornell professor John McCarthy warned that this AI-driven inequality is already playing out.
Cornell professor John McCarthy said:
> “This partially AI-driven rise in inequality is a trend we are already starting to see play out…”
Which Apps Are Driving the Trend
While Tinder and Bumble are the most common choices, specialized apps like Raya and LGBTQ dating app Grindr are also making headlines. Raya is an exclusive, referral-only, membership-based app that lets users search for specific industries, roles, or companies. Grindr’s chief product officer AJ Balance told Bloomberg that about a quarter of its 15 million monthly users use the app for networking.
AJ Balance said:
> “About a quarter of our 15 million monthly average users are using the app for networking.”
Numbers Behind the Trend
The survey also revealed that 42% of respondents network on dating apps because the job market is difficult, 29% out of desperation, and 22% lack other networking opportunities.
- 42% due to a difficult job market
- 29% out of desperation
- 22% lack other networking opportunities
Key Takeaways
- Dating apps are becoming a key tool for job seekers facing AI-screened applications.
- A significant portion of users report successful professional connections and even job offers.
- The trend highlights growing inequality as networking opportunities remain unevenly distributed.
The shift to dating-app networking underscores how technology is blurring the lines between professional and personal connections, while also spotlighting the challenges of AI bias in hiring.
