In a challenging job market, a Swedish-born PR account director is sharing her unconventional career advice: apply dating apps to network. Samantha Rogers, who moved to London in 2018 without a job secured, detailed her experience leveraging Tinder to land interviews and multiple job offers.
Rogers told Fortune she proactively added “seeking work opportunities” to her Tinder bio, recognizing the value of expanding her network beyond traditional job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed. “I thought, if I’m going to be on Tinder and I haven’t been successful in getting a relationship out of it so far, I might gain a job—it turns out that was easier,” she said.
Within a week, Rogers received leads and internal recommendations from men on the app, leading to two interviews with recruitment consultancies and a sales job offer. She ultimately received so many offers that she was able to decline those sourced through Tinder. Despite not ultimately accepting a role found on the app, she recommends the strategy, particularly for women.
Rogers’ experience reflects a broader trend of blurring lines between dating and professional networking. Bumble launched Bumble Biz in 2017, specifically designed to connect people romantically and professionally. Even Grindr reports that approximately 25% of its users are utilizing the platform for networking purposes, according to the company.
However, this overlap as well presents challenges. A 2023 study revealed that over 90% of women reported receiving unwanted messages on LinkedIn, highlighting the potential for harassment and inappropriate advances when professional platforms are used for personal pursuits. Rogers acknowledged experiencing similar unwanted attention, stating she sought to “turn the tables” by utilizing a dating app for job seeking.
Tinder itself acknowledged that its platform is primarily intended for fostering romantic connections. A spokesperson told Fortune that “Tinder is the most popular dating app in the world, dedicated to fostering meaningful personal connections, not business ones.”
Rogers argues that the relative scarcity of job seekers on dating apps can provide a competitive advantage. She also emphasized the importance of caution, advising women to thoroughly research companies and interviewers before attending in-person meetings. She recommends sharing location details with friends or family, or bringing someone along for safety, mirroring precautions taken during traditional dates.
While Rogers currently has a stable career, she indicated she would consider revisiting the strategy if she found herself unemployed again, albeit with her husband’s knowledge. The approach, she believes, is about capitalizing on any available opportunity and empowering women to proactively seek out unconventional avenues for career advancement.