In a world where meeting new people seems increasingly difficult, some are exchanging traditional dating apps with LinkedIn to find love. The trend is gaining supporters, but experts warn of the risks of using social networks with different intentions than those for which they were created.
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28/10/2026
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Nan increasingly accelerated world, finding love or even making new friends is increasingly difficult. In view of this, there are those who use dating apps in the hope of meeting new people.
However, as a Real Simple article highlights, there are people who are adopting an alternative strategy: using LinkedIn to find possible romantic partners.
A study by Resume Builder revealed that one in three users of dating apps used them to make new professional contacts, especially those with less money.
And on the opposite side, one in eight LinkedIn users found a love relationship on this platform, although 65% of Zety respondents were concerned about the negative impact that this might have on their reputation.
Why are people changing the way they use social media?
“ Traditional methods of job search may seem impersonal and confusing, and many candidates have difficulty getting results,” says Stacie Halle, career consultant at Resume Builder.
“ Candidates compete for attention on LinkedIn, while online applications often go unanswered, making it difficult for people to be noticed. Relationship apps create a more natural environment for conversations, giving people the opportunity to establish a personal connection before professional goals come into play.”.
And the truth is, people have been successful. The Resume Builder study found that 88% of respondents who used dating apps for professional reasons were able to establish a professional connection.
Use apps for different purposes: Experts differ
The fact that some people have succeeded with this unconventional approach does not mean that it is a foolproof plan, on the contrary.
“ When we use a platform, there is an implicit understanding of why we are there,” says Kristen Zavo, career expert and author of ‘Find Your Job Joy’.
“ People are on LinkedIn to build professional relationships and explore career opportunities. And they're on dating apps to find romantic calls. When someone approaches with a completely different intention, this may seem false and corroding trust before even a relationship begins”, warns.
“ I am totally in favour of creativity when it comes to building relationships and finding opportunities,” Zavo says. “But there is a difference between thinking outside the box and approaching people with ulterior motives.”.
How to achieve your goals correctly: Practical tips
Be transparent about your intentions
If you are using a platform for a different purpose than proposed, you should be honest about that.
“Anyone who uses a relationship app to make professional contacts should be direct about their intentions, rather than risk fooling someone. Not everyone wants to do networking, so it is important to respect these limits.”.
Be realistic when what you can achieve
Making an unexpected connection may not be enough. In terms of job search, think of this more as an informative interview, where you can add another point of contact that brings you closer to the desired job or relationship, rather than ensuring the definitive vacancy.
Turn your job search around (or romance)
If you're not succeeding with what you're doing, take a good look at the situation and see if there's a way to approach it differently.
“ When job search starts to seem desperate, the solution is not usually to send more resumes, but to be more intentional”, Haller notes.
“ Apply for the places you really fit in, improve your resume and send your application in advance. Above all, talk to people. Someone who can attest to his qualities will take him further.”.
Your search should also happen in the offline world
Leaving the phone aside might be a good idea. “Even with technology changing the way people apply for jobs, personal connections remain an important part of how people are hired,” Haller says.
“ I encourage candidates for vacancies to prioritize the construction of relationships instead of simply sending online resumes, but there are much more authentic ways to do this than using a dating app as a networking tool,” he said.
“ My advice is simple: be creative when it comes to meeting people, but be genuine about why you're meeting them. The best opportunities, whether personal or professional, often arise from relationships we did not expect initially, but these relationships need to be built with confidence.”.