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Telegraph
17-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
Dating for professionals: expert advice
If you're a busy professional it can be difficult to make time for your friends, family and hobbies – let alone the dating scene. Maintaining a successful career often goes hand-in-hand with long hours, travel, and taking your work home at the end of the day. With all that to contend with, the prospect of finding love might seem unlikely. Here's the good news – modern dating is a lot simpler than it used to be. Back in the day, we may have relied on meeting other single people at social occasions or getting our friends to set us up on blind dates. This could sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Today, the popularity of online dating sites has made dating for professionals a much more convenient process. With so many people logging on to find love, you can now find lots of working singles at the touch of a button. Here's how to join them. 1. Sign up to a dating site for professionals The best place to start your search for romance is the internet. Today, online dating is ubiquitous. Approximately 10 per cent of heterosexual people met their long-term partner online, according to Pew Research Center. The key to getting online dating right is to choose a site or app that is tailored to your needs, rather than downloading the first one you come across. Sites and apps that offer online dating for professionals can be tailored towards numerous factors. Some focus on education or political views, while others are devoted to facilitating long-term relationships to help you find your soulmate. The best dating websites for professional singles are designed to make your life easier. On Telegraph Dating, the hard work is done for you via a two-way matching system. The criteria you've listed on your profile is used to search for potential partners, displaying them on your 'My Ideal Match' page if their criteria matches your personality and background. While the service is available to anyone over 18, many members have found this a helpful dating site for professionals over 50. 2. Create the perfect profile Your online dating profile shouldn't be something you dash off while you're taking your tea break. Wait until you have a free evening or weekend and really get stuck in. List your interests, describe your lifestyle, and – most importantly – be realistic about what you're looking for and what you can offer. Whether you're an ambitious go-getter seeking something casual and fun, or a busy CEO looking to make more time for a serious relationship, be upfront and honest. The same goes for any personality tests or questionnaires that you end up filling out. Photo-wise, always aim to use something taken recently where your face is clearly displayed (preferably a solo rather than a group shot). If you can't find a good photo, enlist a trusted friend to come round and take some flattering shots. 3. Make time for your profile every day Once you've set up your online dating profile don't let it gather dust. If you're serious about meeting someone you'll want to visit your account at least once a day, using your free time to check out your suggested matches, browse other members' profiles, reply to messages, and initiate conversations. The good news is that you can easily fit this task around your work commitments – the odd five or 10 minutes here and there at lunch, on your commute, or at home in front of the TV will do 4. Look for someone with a compatible lifestyle When you're checking out other profiles, consider how well your two lives might mesh. Even if you're using a service that suggests potential matches, you'll want to be judicious about who you end up messaging. Let's say a suggested profile ticks every box when it comes to looks, interests and sense of humour – but their working hours or family commitments would limit the time you have together as a couple. In this instance, initiating a conversation could be a waste of time. 5. Don't rush in There's no harm in choosing your matches carefully. As a busy professional, time is precious, so you don't want to find yourself sitting through too many fruitless dates. Make sure you read someone's profile thoroughly before you agree to meet in person. There may be information towards the end of their profile that rules them out as a potential partner. Finding out that information on a first date is a waste of your time and theirs. Being selective is not the same as being fussy. 6. If online dating doesn't work out, try a professional matchmaker or dating agency Online dating is highly popular among modern professionals – but it doesn't work for everyone. The good news is that there's another service that won't encroach on your working life: a professional dating agency. Professional matchmaking has come a long way since its early days. Typically these services offer an initial consultation, after which your matchmaker begins the process of looking for matches and setting up dates. Often these services offer one-on-one coaching, with your personal matchmaker on hand to chat and give advice before dates. High net worth individuals often use matchmaking services as an efficient and discreet way to seek romance. As the consultation process is so rigorous, the associated rates can be costly. However, it can be an ideal option for those with money to spend. 7. Commit to proper dates Whether you've been set up via a matchmaker, or you've found someone special on a dating app, the next step is meeting in real life. As a professional with a busy schedule you might find it difficult to make time for dates, but it's vital that you do. Plan ahead and make sure you set aside an afternoon or evening with no work commitments. Gaps in your diary may be scarce, but there's no point putting yourself out there if you're not willing to invest some of your free time. When you're on a date, make sure you don't check your phone every 10 seconds. Put it on silent, stick it in your pocket, and don't take it out again until you've parted ways (or at least until they've popped to the loo). Work emails can wait! 8. Make the most of the smaller moments When one or both people in a relationship are busy at work it can be hard to coordinate schedules. You should continue to make time for proper dates, planning ahead to make sure you have free evenings and weekends whenever possible. If things go well and you develop a relationship, remember that a little compromise will be needed. If you want to successfully juggle career commitments and home life you'll need to work together. It's important that you try to enjoy the little moments. If you're both booked solid for a week, try to snatch short periods of time to spend together – whether it's enjoying a short coffee break on a Saturday morning, or getting together for a quick lunch in the week. Quality time doesn't have to mean spending hours together, especially when you're both career-oriented. If you are both hard-working and ambitious, you may see eye to eye.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No sequins or dancing at EU summit - but it'll be an extravaganza nonetheless
Stand by for a dazzling European event. Cameras everywhere. Famous faces. Red carpets. No, not Eurovision in all its noisy glory, but the first European summit of what the prime minister hopes will be a new era, where governments around the continent concentrate not on instant verdicts – douze points or nul points – but on creating long-term relationships that make life easier. The UK is hoping to show that just as you don't have to be European to enjoy Eurovision, you don't have to be in the European Union (EU) to get some of the benefits of the club. Expectations of Monday's summit are high. One minister joked they hope you'll "Remember Monday" – get it? It's a moment to fix what they consider were the mistakes of Boris Johnson's Brexit deal. It's the first formal summit for European leaders since Brexit, and Downing Street is going for the full extravaganza: the grandeur of London's Lancaster House, a warship brought up the Thames to be shown off and used as a lunch venue, then, it's hoped, even a press conference in the Downing Street Rose Garden. "It's clearly designed for the telly – everyone will be there apart from the King and Paddington Bear," said a diplomatic source about the plans. The atmosphere is entirely different to the last time the UK and the EU circled each other at a formal summit. The two main negotiators – Nick Thomas-Symonds for the UK, who'll join us in the studio on Sunday, and the EU's Maros Sefcovic – have struck a friendly partnership, sinking wine (Slovakian reds) and whisky (Welsh). What's the actual point of the summit? In private, government insiders are not expecting a giant whizz-bang new deal with our closest trading partners. The public gave Labour permission to improve the existing Brexit agreement in the general election but not totally rewrite it, and the EU doesn't have the mandate from its members to draft something totally new either. Be on guard for any declarations of a heroic or profound shift. But it's a significant moment nonetheless, after all those years of bitterness and brinkmanship, and the government hopes there will be meaningful agreements, particularly on defence, opening up billions of euros to UK firms, and tidying up some of the existing cooperation between the UK and EU countries on security. Expect an easing of the admin hassles Brexit created for farmers and the food industry – sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements, or SPS to use the horrendous jargon. There will be important commitments – diplomatic language at least – on energy, on migration, agriculture, on data sharing, the list goes on. My colleague Damian Grammaticas has taken a closer look at some of the issues here. Fishing shouldn't block defence pact, says EU chief UK edges towards youth visa deal with EU Long-awaited EU border system expected for October In the classic tradition of UK-EU negotiations, though, there is heavy briefing from sources on both sides that it's "going to the wire". Will there be a deal to allow young Brits and EU citizens to live and work more easily in each other's countries? As I write I'm told only an "agreement in principle", not the real final deal, will be ready for Monday. The EU was pushing for stays as long as four years to be allowed, the UK not contemplating more than one or two. Will the French (who sources are referring to when they talk diplomatically about "coastal states") relent on demands for more protection for their fishing fleets in return for giving the UK the kind of favours it wants? "The French have been trying to link fish to lots of things," a source close to the talks says – it might be five years since we left the EU, but maybe the more things change, the more things stay the same. Indeed, just like on so many occasions during the Brexit wrangles, as we go on air this weekend, EU ambassadors will be gathering at their COREPER (Comité des représentants permanents) meeting to go through the agreement. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. And even then, agreements in principle will leave many details to be hammered out in the weeks and months to come. For the UK government, agreement of any sort means "we'll have scored the hat trick", says one minister. No one in government would dream that Monday will mean an end to their domestic woes, but a trade deal with India, an agreement with the US, and then the EU gives evidence of progress, and insiders hope it could build on a sense that Starmer's operation and the economy has picked up some pace. Sign up for the Off Air with Laura K newsletter to get Laura Kuenssberg's expert insight and insider stories every week, emailed directly to you. "It's not just about the footnotes of a trade agreement – it's also about the vibes," says a government source. Put three deals together with better growth figures last week and maybe, just maybe, the doom generated in part by Downing Street itself is fading. But not so fast! It will be imperative to look at the footnotes of any text that emerges on Monday. Cash and the power of the EU courts were both toxic issues during the Brexit era – so what extra cash might the UK be asked to contribute if it's joining in with some EU schemes? Access won't come for free, though I'm told the UK would not contribute to the overall EU budget. And to what extent will the UK be expected to accept authority of EU rules? There are clear political sensitivities around any sense the government is giving too much back to Brussels. Ministers hope to be able to outline extra cooperation to combat illegal migration, and to present the changes as practical measures to make the existing arrangements work better: not the kind of deal that would excite Remainers' hearts, nor anger Brexiteers. Keir Starmer's promise of a "reset" with the EU may not quicken the pulse, but his team hopes that it will be "another delivery moment" – in other words, another chance for them to say to a cynical and obviously disappointed public: look, we said we'd get a more sensible deal with the EU after all that Brexit hassle, and that's what we've done. The irony is that the man who was once seen as Labour's Remainer-in-Chief is now, as prime minister, trying to fill in the blanks and smooth the many wrinkles of the Conservatives' original Brexit deal. "It might be a broken record," says a diplomatic source, "but at least they are trying to fix it". Monday might not have the sequins and screeching choruses of tonight's Eurovision, the inexplicable dance routines or pyrotechnics, but it will be a show no less. The source adds: "Maybe it will be Starmer who will drive some sort of Humvee that says 'got Brexit done' on the side." Is Britain really inching back towards the EU? Sir John Curtice: The map that shows Reform's triumph was much more than a protest vote Labour to unveil big immigration plans next week - but will they win back votes? BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Laura Kuenssberg on UK-EU summit: What to expect on trade, immigration and defence
Stand by for a dazzling European event. Cameras everywhere. Famous faces. Red not Eurovision in all its noisy glory, but the first European summit of what the prime minister hopes will be a new era, where governments around the continent concentrate not on instant verdicts – douze points or nul points – but on creating long-term relationships that make life UK is hoping to show that just as you don't have to be European to enjoy Eurovision, you don't have to be in the European Union (EU) to get some of the benefits of the of Monday's summit are high. One minister joked they hope you'll "Remember Monday" – get it? It's a moment to fix what they consider were the mistakes of Boris Johnson's Brexit the first formal summit for European leaders since Brexit, and Downing Street is going for the full extravaganza: the grandeur of London's Lancaster House, a warship brought up the Thames to be shown off and used as a lunch venue, then, it's hoped, even a press conference in the Downing Street Rose Garden. "It's clearly designed for the telly – everyone will be there apart from the King and Paddington Bear," said a diplomatic source about the atmosphere is entirely different to the last time the UK and the EU circled each other at a formal summit. The two main negotiators – Nick Thomas-Symonds for the UK, who'll join us in the studio on Sunday, and the EU's Maros Sefcovic – have struck a friendly partnership, sinking wine (Slovakian reds) and whisky (Welsh).What's the actual point of the summit? In private, government insiders are not expecting a giant whizz-bang new deal with our closest trading partners. The public gave Labour permission to improve the existing Brexit agreement in the general election but not totally rewrite it, and the EU doesn't have the mandate from its members to draft something totally new either. Be on guard for any declarations of a heroic or profound shift. But it's a significant moment nonetheless, after all those years of bitterness and brinkmanship, and the government hopes there will be meaningful agreements, particularly on defence, opening up billions of euros to UK firms, and tidying up some of the existing cooperation between the UK and EU countries on an easing of the admin hassles Brexit created for farmers and the food industry – sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements, or SPS to use the horrendous will be important commitments – diplomatic language at least – on energy, on migration, agriculture, on data sharing, the list goes on. My colleague Damian Grammaticas has taken a closer look at some of the issues here. In the classic tradition of UK-EU negotiations, though, there is heavy briefing from sources on both sides that it's "going to the wire". Will there be a deal to allow young Brits and EU citizens to live and work more easily in each other's countries? As I write I'm told only an "agreement in principle", not the real final deal, will be ready for Monday. The EU was pushing for stays as long as four years to be allowed, the UK not contemplating more than one or the French (who sources are referring to when they talk diplomatically about "coastal states") relent on demands for more protection for their fishing fleets in return for giving the UK the kind of favours it wants? "The French have been trying to link fish to lots of things," a source close to the talks says – it might be five years since we left the EU, but maybe the more things change, the more things stay the same. Indeed, just like on so many occasions during the Brexit wrangles, as we go on air this weekend, EU ambassadors will be gathering at their COREPER (Comité des représentants permanents) meeting to go through the agreement. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. And even then, agreements in principle will leave many details to be hammered out in the weeks and months to the UK government, agreement of any sort means "we'll have scored the hat trick", says one minister. No one in government would dream that Monday will mean an end to their domestic woes, but a trade deal with India, an agreement with the US, and then the EU gives evidence of progress, and insiders hope it could build on a sense that Starmer's operation and the economy has picked up some pace. Sign up for the Off Air with Laura K newsletter to get Laura Kuenssberg's expert insight and insider stories every week, emailed directly to you. "It's not just about the footnotes of a trade agreement – it's also about the vibes," says a government source. Put three deals together with better growth figures last week and maybe, just maybe, the doom generated in part by Downing Street itself is not so fast! It will be imperative to look at the footnotes of any text that emerges on Monday. Cash and the power of the EU courts were both toxic issues during the Brexit era – so what extra cash might the UK be asked to contribute if it's joining in with some EU schemes? Access won't come for free, though I'm told the UK would not contribute to the overall EU budget. And to what extent will the UK be expected to accept authority of EU rules?There are clear political sensitivities around any sense the government is giving too much back to Brussels. Ministers hope to be able to outline extra cooperation to combat illegal migration, and to present the changes as practical measures to make the existing arrangements work better: not the kind of deal that would excite Remainers' hearts, nor anger Brexiteers. Keir Starmer's promise of a "reset" with the EU may not quicken the pulse, but his team hopes that it will be "another delivery moment" – in other words, another chance for them to say to a cynical and obviously disappointed public: look, we said we'd get a more sensible deal with the EU after all that Brexit hassle, and that's what we've irony is that the man who was once seen as Labour's Remainer-in-Chief is now, as prime minister, trying to fill in the blanks and smooth the many wrinkles of the Conservatives' original Brexit deal. "It might be a broken record," says a diplomatic source, "but at least they are trying to fix it".Monday might not have the sequins and screeching choruses of tonight's Eurovision, the inexplicable dance routines or pyrotechnics, but it will be a show no less. The source adds: "Maybe it will be Starmer who will drive some sort of Humvee that says 'got Brexit done' on the side." BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below.
