Jobs That Help You Find Love
Given the long hours that many employees spend at the office, it’s not surprising that survey, 35 percent of respondents said they had engaged in an office romance. In fact, 12 percent had married someone they dated from work.
Still, workplace romances can be risky, as Lizandra Vega, an executive recruiter and the author of “The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want,” is quick to point out. “It can make coworkers uncomfortable in public settings, and though it’s not usually grounds for firing, it may change how your employer thinks about you,” she explains.
Other experts, such as Roy Cohen, a career coach and the author of “The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide,” say it depends on the situation. “You have to exercise good judgment,” says Cohen. “As long as there’s no expectation that dating will lead to business or a promotion, why shouldn’t you date people you share mutual interests with?”
Even if you don’t meet your match on the job, it’s possible that one of your coworkers or clients could introduce you to that special someone. Here are five (of the many) jobs that help expand your social and professional circles, as well as median salaries.
1. Personal Trainer
The casual environment of a gym means you’ll often get to know clients on a more personal level than in an office setting. And you’ll usually meet several clients on a typical day. If you spark with a personal-training client, Vega recommends waiting for the client to make the first move. Otherwise, you could be “putting yourself on the line for rejection and compromising your job,” she says. Cohen adds that if you’re a serial dater, it may be smart not to date clients, lest word gets out.
2. Recruiter
In communicating with job candidates and clients, as well as attending industry events to add contacts, recruiters meet all kinds of people. In fact, Cohen has a client who met his wife when she worked as a recruiter. “She did not recruit him,” he says, “but he would refer candidates to her and they spoke so highly of her, that he made a point to set up a meeting with her.”
3. Retail Sales Associate
Depending on where you work, a retail job exposes you to a broad variety of people. “If you’re helpful and friendly, people are going to want to respond positively,” says Cohen. But, she warns, “You need to let people know in a way that’s not indiscreet.” A customer, for example, may ask if you are available and if you want to be set up with someone. This situation is ideal because you’re not initiating the personal connection.
4. Management Consultant
Consultants have a reputation for working especially long hours and spending time away from home, all while meeting with a variety of clients and internal teams that expand their networks. “You [and your client] work together intensely,” says Cohen, “so, if you’re comfortable, you can certainly tell people about yourself and the fact that you’re wanting to meet people. Part of this process is about messaging. Without the proper message, people aren’t going to know.”
5. Social Media Manager
Social medial managers meet a lot of people through Twitter, Facebook, and in-person events. The tricky part about this job is bridging the gap between your online and in-person persona. Vega suggests that if someone’s avatar catches your eye, you should “reach out on your personal account rather than the company account” to avoid blurring the lines between business and pleasure.