In my personal experience with job hunting, I have often likened it to that of dating. When looking for the perfect job, a person will often use many of the same tactics and resources they employ when searching for a suitable mate.

For instance, a proven tactic for hunting a potential mate is simply word of mouth. Letting your friends, family, and even co-workers know that you are single and looking opens up a myriad of doors to potential suitors. Likewise, if you inform your business contacts, friends, and family (may want to exclude co-workers though) that you are looking for a job, many times you will find a great opportunity without any of the hunt.

A person finding themselves registered on all the dating sites, will most likely be members to the online job sites like Monsterjobs.com and Yahoo! Jobs, as well. I find this, like the tactic above, to be best suited for the passive-aggressive. Both do not involve much effort or time. In this age of the internet, it is also an effective method to market yourself.

Once you have registered on the job site of your choice, you can simply upload your resume and cover letter and click away. I do not reccommend using a standard cover letter though as employers can often tell when they are being sent standardized letters and may discount or overlook the applicant. A hint may be To Whom it May Concern, or maybe Dear Employer. Remember, similar to dating, you want to make yourself stand out and seem alluring. A boring form letter is not the way! Employers and potential suitors alike want to feel as though they are the only ones being courted. Feed into their ego.

Top 5 Hints for the Dating Pool and Job Market:

1) Make Yourself Marketable.

Hone your skills and gain experience in one field rather than

multiple to appeal to Employers. Similarly, potential mates

will more likely be attracted to someone who interesting and

capable of conversation. So get out from behind your computer

and get a hobby, take a culinary class, or go to poetry

readings, because after all, if you don't have anything to

talk about on a date, most likely you won't be asked out

again!

2) Don't be Intimidated by Macho Men or Fortune 500 Companies.

Every date or interview is practice for the perfect One.

Whether they're the most gorgeous specimen that makes everyone

swoon or Martha Stewart, they are not infallible and have

their mistakes as well. If you must, picture your date or

interviewer in their underwear, but be warned that it may

cause extreme laughter.

3) Get Experience.

If you are a recent graduate getting hired for your

first job can be tricky. Most Employers and suitors are

looking for candidates with experience.While in college,

do quality internships and get recommendations from any

employers. Know that you won't be stuck in this stage

for very long and everyone has to pay their dues, so a

little patience will go a long way. Think of how awful your

first kiss was compared to the heartbreaker you are

now- hopefully.

4) Don't Get Frustrated Or Give Up.

Quitters don't win. It's true. Use the frustration you may

be feeling as fuel to work harder- either in finding a job

or to get a promotion. If you choose to quit, you will

never know what could have been. Likewise if you are

opening your own business, persistence is a must. My mother

never initially fancied my father, nevertheless he persisted

and they have been married for 29 years.

5) Have Fun in the Process.

Whatever goals you are trying to achieve in life, don't

forget the journey. Sure you hate bringing coffee to your

boss and dating one loser after another. But, think of the

stories you can tell later on. Besides, your job should only

be just that, your job. Make friends in the office and you

could even find that perfect mate working right beside you

in the next cubicle.