A self-proclaimed 'popular' Tinder user was branded 'creepy' for trying to bag both a date and a job when he spotted his match works as a recruiter.
Elliott Harding, from Sheldon, Birmingham, says he spotted 'nice-looking' professional Emily on the dating app, so he swiped right to cheekily chance his arm at getting 'either a job or a date out of it'.
The 25-year-old IT contractor's opening line demanded they 'sort the business stuff out first' before quoting his £150-£250 daily rate and asking if he can send over his CV.
He then shared a screenshot of his bizarre approach on LinkedIn to 'expose' her, declaring 'recruiters are safe nowhere' and explaining he had to 'get creative' on Tinder where he's 'more popular'.
However, many professionals on the site rallied to slam his unorthodox approach as 'creepy', 'grim' and 'wrong', with one user even demanding he apologise to Emily for the post and messages.
After he told Emily the post had 'blown up' on LinkedIn, Elliott says the 19-year-old asked him to delete it as she feared some of her connections, who had reacted to the post, would realise who she was.
The job hunter defended 'exposing' her dating profile on the professional network and claimed his 'creativity' could have earned her cash if she had placed him in a job.
He's since deleted the post but blames a 'generation gap' for their angry response to the messages' content, claiming older users don't understand the humorous side to Tinder exchanges.
Elliott said: "I thought I'd message to see if either a date or a job could come out of it. She's a nice-looking girl so I can't really complain.
"When I'm searching for jobs I see the word recruiter every day so this profile popped out to me. I thought it'd be an entertaining thing to do to be fair. It was a long shot.
I don't think the LinkedIn community understood it. When it blew up it was a marmite reaction.
"There seemed to be an age gap in the reaction. I think for dating apps back in [older users'] days it was a bit of a taboo and you couldn't share it around the office and you had to keep it quiet.
"I saw some of the messages about it being creepy, but that's probably the calmest message I've seen shared from Tinder.
"The number of people who message me about my job, I don't take it as patronising. I'll have a joke back.
"I don't fully understand why me sharing the profile is creepy. It's there for everyone to see. I don't think it matters where it was. It could have been Tinder, Facebook or anything.
"Tinder is open and when you create an account anyone in the world can see it. You're sharing it with millions of people, so me sharing it on my profile with 500 connections isn't stalking.
"I saw a security expert say it was doxxing. But I was only sharing someone's name.
"If she did work in the IT recruitment industry and she had a job available and I could fill that role and I did get it, essentially I'd have helped Emily out. She'd have got a fee for that.
"I thought I'd get a bit creative. A few people have contacted me and I think people in IT have a bad reputation of being boring, so when they see someone that's a little different it stands out."
Elliott has since shared Emily's initial reply and luckily she took his approach in good spirits, telling him she doesn't work in IT recruitment but joked she could help if he wants to be a housing officer.
He jokingly replied to accept the job and demand a £75,000 salary and a company car for just 20 hours of work per week.
The IT contractor says he's been contacted by women on Tinder who joke about his profession too - often referencing the cult TV sitcom The IT Crowd.
Elliott's post said: "I don't have the largest LinkedIn following so sometimes you have to get creative and swap to an app where you are a bit more popular.
"Tinder, am I doing it right? Beware recruiters, you are safe nowhere. (sorry for exposing you Emily)."
Joe Scott said: "Gosh, I've no idea why you're not popular on LinkedIn. Seriously, this is not on. It's creepy. It's making me really uncomfortable. Emily absolutely should be safe anywhere.
"It's not creative. It's wrong and grim. And I really think you owe someone an apology."
Rachel Webb added: "100 per cent, Jo."
Garry Iley said: "This is definitely one way of never getting employment again. If I were you I'd delete this immediately! No wonder Tinder gets a bad reputation with plonkers like you on it."
Elliott claims he's gained around 60 connections since the post and has shared some of the private messages he's received praising the stunt.
One says: "Hi mate, thought that post was quality so well worth connecting with you. having previous experience in [redacted] it might actually be worth us having a chat to see if there is anything I can help you with!"
Another said: "Loved your attempt at job hunting on Tinder!
A third mocks the enraged professionals, saying: "The comments on that Tinder post have had me howling."
Elliot's exchange with Emily
Elliott said: "Let's sort the business stuff out first Emily. I'm currently on the market for a new IT contract paying about £150-£250 per day. Have you got anything?
"Do you want me to pop my CV over to you then we can start the actual Tinder chat?"
Emily replied, saying: "Hey, I do hospitality recruitment at the moment so I wouldn't have any active vacancies in IT. However, if you want to be a housing officer I can help [crying laughing emoji]."
Elliott then joked: "Okay you've let me down a bit there. Em, I'll accept the housing officer for the below terms. £75.000 Salary, 20 hours per week and a company car."
