Many of us in midlife are finding ourselves in a situation we never thought would happen to us ...

we're single again and venturing back into the world of dating.

I spend lots of time in this column and over at A(n)nals of Online Dating documenting the worst of the worst internet daters. But there are also some really good ones — and some mediocre ones that could be so much better if not for rookie mistakes.

So, welcome to Internet Dating Bootcamp, where I'll teach you how to trick unsuspecting users into thinking you’re actually cool and normal. You need to be you in your online dating profile, but the process of creating one is a good time to think about what kindergarten teachers call “being your best self at school.” If you’re attracted to Type-A go-getter types who get up at 6am to exercise, emphasize your similar love of hard work. Want someone who shares your taste for obscure French films? No, not everyone wants to date a carbon copy of themselves, but most of us want to be with someone with some overlapping interests.

Keep your product’s major flaws out of the commercial.

The obvious points of picking photos are to make them (1) flattering, and (2) accurate.

One engaging paragraph is far better than endless run-on sentences.🙂 And last (I promise), if you think that Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, I think you should tell our parents to get ready for the wedding 🙂 I am crazy, stupid, and charming.The French are known for being snooty, and yet this guy takes that into consideration and pokes fun at it.So I decided to work with a friend to craft my very own irresistible dating profile....worked and I'm now almost three years into a relationship with a wonderful man who loved my profile!These are my suggestions and what I now work through with clients: Create a Username that grabs attention, don't be lazy and use your initials followed by a handful of numbers!I will never know anyway 🙂 Travel, surprises, music, dancing, sports, books, last minute plans, open mind, photography, museum, craziness, spontaneity, going out (but also staying in), sharing, simplicity, respect, flip flops (yes, the sandals), down to earth (however fantasy is also very important), people, casual, word, news, work, sense of humor about yourself, awareness.And yet another short list of things that I’m not really fond of: – Cars (can’t tell why I put this one first…) – Self-centered people (but, hey…