Real Words

In addition to the many jobs that I have writing about technology, business and Web 2.0., I have a rather fun gig writing the content for The Dating Weblog. This blog is all about the world of online dating, the sites that are making headlines in that industry and the way that people interact online for romantic purposes. The other day, I was simultaneously looking for new news in the online dating world while perusing jobs for additional freelance writing gigs. And what I realized while doing this is that there isn’t a whole lot of difference between searching online for a writing job and searching online for a romantic match.

Here are just some of the similarities that I have seen between the freelance writing job search and the online dating partner hunt:

• Some posts are easily dismissable, others turn into brief affairs. When I apply for online writing jobs, several things might happen. Scenario one: I see a post for a job I like and respond but get no response back. Scenario two: I see a post for a job I might be interested in, get a response back and realize it’s not a good match. Scenario three: I apply and get a job, try it out a few times and decide that I don’t like working with the employer after all. Scenario four: I find a job that works for me and I work well for the employer and we create a lasting relationship. The only difference with online dating is that in online dating, people sometimes approach you first; but if you’re posting a resume on job boards then the same thing may happen with writing jobs.
• There are a plethora of sites to choose from but there aren’t many that are right for one person. There are literally hundreds of websites online devoted to listing different freelance writing jobs. There are also hundreds of different websites for various types of online dating. Some are well-known and often used (Freelance Writing Jobs, Match.com). Others are for specific niche interests (NASW Members Science Writing Job Site, Farmers Only dating site). Each individual needs to sift through the different sites out there to see which ones work best for them.
• Paying for access to a site may or may not make a difference in your level of success. There are sites out there for both types of search that require a paid subscription. There are also free sites. Some people find that they do best on paying job sites where the competition is lower. Likewise with dating sites where the people there are probably more serious about making a match. But some find that free sites suit their needs without the commitment of money.
• You can spot the regulars. When you search daily for online writing jobs, you see a few ads keep cropping up. Before even clicking on a headline, you know that a particular link is just going to take you to a blog network where you can sign up to be a revenue-based blogger. Likewise, spending enough time on a dating site will allow you to pick out the people who troll there daily for date after date.
• You have to keep an eye out for scams. In addition to the annoying regulars, there are people out there to scam you. With writing jobs, it’s often that you’re asked to complete highly specific samples for a company that turns out to not be hiring anyone at all - just taking your samples and using them for their own business. With dating, there are people out there who try to defraud you after you’ve fallen for them romantically. Common sense and a cautious eye can help keep you safe from both types of predators.
• It’s wise to check out the competition. When I’m applying for writing jobs, I like to know how I compare to others who might apply. While I can’t know for sure who is and isn’t applying, I can stay on top of the writing world by paying attention to the blogs of other writers. This gives me ideas on what I can do better and helps me add the right things to my own resume. In dating, you can sometimes get the attention of others on the site by figuring out what sets you apart from the competition online and highlighting that.
• Craigslist works for both of them. I have seen successful writing jobs come out of the posts on Craigslist. And believe it or not, I’ve also seen successful relationships come from posting on their personals section. In both cases, it requires sifting through a whole lot of nonsense to find the gems but in both cases, it was worth it.
• You should update yourself on the sites. Whether or not you post job resumes on a website, you should keep your online profile and portfolio up to date. This helps to secure the best jobs. Similarly, using a new picture and a fresh profile on your dating sites will lead to better responses from fresh matches.
• It can get addictive. Even when I have plenty of work to keep me busy, I find myself heading to the freelance sites to make sure I’m not missing out on anything. And I know people in happy and committed relationships who still see what’s going on in their old online dating world just in case there’s something a little bit better out there. This is okay until it starts interfering with the jobs and relationships that you have going for you.

There are many similarities between searching for jobs online and searching for life partners online. They both require taking the time to find the right sites. They both involve some trial-and-error, some short relationships and the potential for a lot of success. And they both demand that you be online and active if you want to get the best results.

Question of the Day: Have I missed any other similarities between the two?

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[Tags] writing, dating, online, gigs, internet, freelance, jobs, employment, job search [/Tags]