[ WP ] Imagine a world where dating and job hunting are switched . Dating now involves sending emails and resumes , while people seeking employment frequent the hottest clubs .

So much for that. 
 
 I ’ d been in a steady job for the past year. It wasn ’ t the best job, but it kept me happy enough - we explored the country together, my friends became the office ’ s friends, and I was starting to imagine spinoffs. Maybe I could co-lead a project. 
 
 Solid, right? 
 
 Well, turns out, my idea of “ going steady ” and their idea of “ going steady ” weren ’ t the same. 
 
 They ’ d hired another frontend developer. Without telling me. 
 
 I felt dirty. 
 
 It was a side thing at first, just a little excitement early in the week. Then it became something more. “ It wasn ’ t just the productivity ”, they said, “ it was the way they made me feel when they walked in the room. ”. 
 
 Fuck that. 
 
 If they could find someone else, so could I. 
 
 I dropped them on principle. If they were straight up about wanting to hire other people, that ’ s one thing. This was another. 
 
 So, I did what anyone would do on the job rebound. 
 
 I fired up Tinder. Redid my profile. 
 
 Nice mix of pictures, one working on the beach, show I ’ m productive, but also look great with my shirt off. 
 
 Professional, but having a drink, colleagues laughing at a joke. 
 
 Adorable dog picture. 
 
 The works. 
 
 Classic. 
 
 Bio - little bit of my work experience, quick anecdote about saving a project in need, height, emoji story to close it out. 
 
 Now - autoliker. 
 
 I don ’ t need something serious right away - just to get my feed under me, get the rebound out of the way. 
 
 1,500 likes in an hour. 
 
 50 matches. 
 
 Maybe the dog photo ’ s a little try hard? Whatever. A match is a match. 
 
 I messaged all of them - something pithy, a little forward. Only one messaged back. It wasn ’ t the best looking job, but it ’ ll do. We set up drinks for the next night, somewhere a block from my apartment. 
 
 If there ’ s one thing I remember about job hunting, it ’ s all about logistics. 
 
 About 30 minutes before the interview, I pinged the would-be manager to let me know when they ’ re closing in. Looking forward to meeting. Couple tropical drink emojis. 
 
 Few minutes later, they hit me back a rocketship-thumbsup-beerclinking. 
 
 This might actually go pretty well! 
 
 Started walking over when they said they ’ re at the subway stop nearby, I showed up a couple minutes after them. My would be manager was standing at the entryway, looking at their phone. 
 
 And, you know what? They actually didn ’ t look half bad in person! Cute. 
 
 Brunette. About 5 ’ 6 ”. Cool tatooo on their arm, bold lipstick, long hair. A bit flat, but more than made up for it with a great smile. 
 
 Gave them a hug hello, they left their hand on my arm just a beat too long. Commented on my cologne. 
 
 Yeah, this *really* might go pretty well! 
 
 As we walked up to the bar, I mentioned how this is one my favorite neighborhood spots, love having a jazz place this close by. 
 
 Don ’ t want to to be totally out of nowhere if I ask them back to my place, all goes well. 
 
 We sit at the bar. Bartender brings me my usual. They order an old fashioned. 
 
 Oh, it ’ s on. 
 
 We chat about the usual - how our weeks were, how long they ’ ve been in town for. 
 
 One time, while they ’ re telling a story, they get a little touchy when telling the highlight. Our hands touch for a beat. 
 
 We get another drink. 
 
 Talk about the job a little bit - what we ’ re both looking for, how long it might be for. 
 
 They mention having been burned by previous engineers. I tell them I understand. My last hiring manager left me, too. 
 
 We go back to my place for ‘ one last drink ’. Soundcloud ’ s playing generically cool tropical house. After a few sips of their drink, they ask to see my work sample. 
 
 They ’ re impressed. 
 
 They gives me a full assignment. 
 
 I break it out, lasting longer than normal. 
 
 It ’ s our first date, so I ’ m working in a virtual machine. It takes me a little longer, we have to switch programs a few times, but they approve the work three times - eventually, I complete the last subtask. 
 
 Email notifications everywhere. It ’ s a glorious mess. 
 
 The next morning, wrapped in sheets, they ask if I can start tomorrow. 
 
 This is moving a little fast. 
 
 I don ’ t want them to get the wrong idea. 
 
 Don ’ t want this feeling like a full time job right out of the gate. 
 
 “ I ’ m kind of slammed this next week. ”, I say. “ Maybe week after next? I ’ ve had an an awesome time, we should totally work again sometime. ” 

