I’ve always thought job searching is like dating, and now the New York Times agrees (What You Can Learn About Job-Hunting From Dating Apps. Really.). Five ways job hunting and dating are similar:

1. You need to cast a wide net. For both personal and work relationships, you don’t know who will introduce you to the next thing. It could be from someone you know well to hardly at all. As a result, you should network broadly to learn about opportunities and get a warm intro to stand out.
2. Lead with your strengths when talking to a suitor/employer. You wouldn’t tell someone on your first date all your issues (or, maybe worse, their issues!). Similarly, when you interview, lead with your strengths and compatibility. Sell your skills and fit, not point out problems when you’re still getting to know each other.
3. Don’t ghost anyone (we know how painful that is). Let a company know if you need to take a pause or if you are taking another job, rather than hope they get the hint when you don’t respond.
4. Don’t zombie anyone either. NYT defines “zombieing” in the dating world as “ghosting someone, but then, after at least a few months, reaching out as though the ghosting never happened,” and in job-hunting as “failing to respond to a professional contact who asked a question or favor, but later reaching out with a different question or favor.” Help folks when you can; you will be calling in favors too.
5. Know that companies “bench” candidates. In both dating and job-hunting, people and companies are keeping candidates warm in case their first choice doesn’t work out. The NYT notes that “benching is normal in hiring” and advises you to “[e]xpect [companies] to have a roster… Treat companies how they treat you — always have a backup plan, always be dating on the side of your job.” And I have seen benchwarmers get the job!