My friend Tina has always used her business skills to be a successful online dater but recently, she used her dating skills to find a new job.

She launched www.hiretina.com, and within weeks she was fielding fabulous job offers from all over the country, consulting gigs, and more than a few romantic proposals, including an old high school flame and at least one prison inmate.

How did she do it? Instead of taking the standard route of just posting her resume online and shaking the Rolodex for possible positions, Tina set up a website to help other people who were looking for work. She approached job-hunting, just as she's always approached dating. And it worked.

Her secret? By helping others, you help yourself. Tina has the most unique ability to convert guys she meets online who aren't exactly boyfriend material to friends. And business contacts. And matchmakers for her. As in, no opportunity wasted. When most online daters have a date with no sparks, they never talk to the person again (even if they're nice), and just head back to the drawing board -- make that the keyboard. Tina realizes, however, that even if it's not a love connection, that the two of them have something (probably a lot of somethings) in common, and maintains the relationship even as just a social contact.

Not a perfect match? Tina says, "Who knows? You may have just found your new podiatrist. Or your new brother-in-law."

Tina is not a size 2 waif, Marsha Brady-haired, Junior League blonde. She's a normal woman. But she's one of the most successful online daters I know. Sure, she's smart, she's beer-shooting-out-your-nose funny, and she has a smile so fabulous it puts Tom Cruise to shame. What makes her so appealing, however is that she has this utterly compelling interest in other people: Who they are, what they do and why they like it. Where as most people put forth a huge amount of effort just trying to be interesting, Tina immediately connects with people because she is effortlessly interested.