The facts:
- Nearly a third of workers consider dating apps for jobs.
- 48% of professionals find office romance more promising than apps.
- 10% of engaged couples meet at work.
In a month centered on love, a growing trend of unconventional networking is emerging: A Glassdoor Community poll* of over 100 workers found that nearly a third (29%) are now using or considering dating apps for career purposes. As the job market becomes more competitive, the line between modern dating culture and professional networking is officially blurring.
Big picture: Just submitting online applications in today’s market isn't cutting it, and workers are getting creative. For some, that means turning to unconventional job search methods — even if it means mixing business cards with pickup lines.
Does dating for networking work? Community members shared their experiences with finding or sharing job opportunities through dating apps, and the results are... interesting:
"I've matched with girls that wanted internships, and I genuinely helped them out." - Manager
"I mean, LinkedIn is turning into Facebook Dating, does that count?" - Coggins International
"I've run into more people doing business on dating apps than I have people dating, if you know what I mean." - Software Engineer
"Got my first internship from a B4 partner I met up with to get sushi and other things, and I asked for an internship and full-time job after I found out he was married." - Senior Associate
The trend speaks to something bigger than just trying unique ways to find a job. Dating app fatigue may be making users rethink how they use these platforms altogether. When the apps aren't delivering romantic results, why not pivot to professional networking?
But, there's a flip side: Some workers are using dating apps to make professional connections. But others are rediscovering the workplace itself as a space for organic connection, both professionally and romantically.
A separate Glassdoor Community poll** found that 48% of professionals say office romance feels more promising than online dating right now. That's up from 45% last year, signaling growing momentum. Among consultants specifically, that number jumps to 54%. Add to thatThe Knot's finding that 10% of engaged couples meet at work, and suddenly those meet-cute work stories don't seem so unusual.
Community members who found love in real life shared their success stories:
"Met my husband at work and married 4 months later. Still married 37 years later." - Lead Risk Analytics Consultant
"Happily married to my art director. Started out as partners, fell in love, got married, had kids, and remained a team." - Freelance Creative Director / Copywriter
"Married to a co-worker, different reporting lines for 4-5 levels up, and we don't collaborate at work. So far, no issues." - Accenture
What's driving the crossover? The merging of professional and personal spheres isn't entirely new: Fortune reports that Gen Z and millennials have been exploring networking on dating apps for years. But the practice is gaining visibility as job seekers exhaust traditional channels and look for any edge in a competitive market.
Still, the approach comes with obvious complications. Forbes notes that using dating apps for professional gain can be risky, with potential for mismatched expectations, awkward encounters, and ethical gray areas. Beware of the red flags.
The takeaway: Whether you're team dating app, networking, or team office romance, one thing is clear: professionals are getting creative about making connections in ways that actually feel real. In a world of automated rejections and ghosted applications, sometimes a real conversation (wherever it happens) is the most valuable currency.
Looking for more ways to find a job beyond the norm? Check out these tips from Glassdoor Community members and career coaches on creative networking strategies that don't require swiping right.
Methodology:
*The community poll on using dating apps for networking ran from January 13, 2026 through January 20, 2026 and was answered by over 130 U.S. professionals.
**This poll ran from January 09, 2026 through January 11, 2026, and was answered by over 1,500 U.S. professionals. Respondents could answer with either “Yes,” or “No” to the question, “Does office romance sound more promising than online dating?”