Job hunting is a lot like dating. I know, I’ve said it before but it’s really true. When you find a great opportunity that appears to be worth checking out, you have to plan your attack carefully. In dating you want to show interest without going overboard. That’s why you probably ask that interesting someone to lunch first before going on a dinner date. Pursing that great job opportunity is no different.

First you apply for the position online and then you wait endlessly for a response. Unfortunately in today’s job market, it probably feels like you are asking Jennifer Anniston or George Clooney for a date and competing against 30 million other people. It’s tough to get noticed given the large number of applicants per position.

As a corporate recruiter sitting on the opposite side of the table, I have seen all types of new and innovative tactics from candidates to get noticed. Some work and some backfire. The trick is to appear interested, be memorable, but avoid crossing the line to stalker or annoying candidate. Unfortunately you can take it too far and that ultimately only hurts your cause.

So how do you rise to the top of the resume stack without crossing the line? Great candidates will leverage multiple angles to show interest in a position. The best place to start is simply submitting your resume to the job. Every recruiting department is different, so it can take from 24 hours to 3 weeks to process new incoming resumes based on the high level of activity. Be nice and give recruiting some time to evaluate your resume before calling to follow up. I’d suggest 1-2 weeks.

That’s not to say you should be complacent. Take advantage of extra time and start to circle your wagons. Search LinkedIn and other social networks to find friends and former colleagues who currently work at the company. Connect with them and ask how they like their job, the corporate culture, etc. Ask your friend to submit your resume to the Hiring Manager or the Recruiter. Employee referrals are always well respected and can help you jump forward in the long line of candidates. Do your research to learn more about the company, their products and their industry so that you are knowledgeable when you get that first call from HR or the Hiring Manager.

After a week or two, place a call into HR or Recruiting to follow up and check the status of your application. Be patient. Remember, it’s like dating and this is the equivalent to calling for a second date. The response rate will most likely tell you if the company is really into you and your resume. If you get mixed signals, realize that it’s probably not the best match and you should keep looking at other options. Don’t fixate, make excuses or kid yourself. Besides, don’t you want to find the company that is overly excited about having you join their team? Don’t settle for second best or make a square peg fit in a round hole. Life is too short to waste time at a company or job that doesn’t love you back.