Sorry folks, but after you leave college finding the perfect mate is just going to get harder. Given the easy, instant and relatively safe access that the Internet provides, it’s no surprise that online dating services are attracting millions of people looking for love or some fun flirting. If you’ve never tried it, here’s what you need to know. First of all, pick a site that suits you. There are literally hundreds of dating sites out there that cater to all types of interests, religions and sexual persuasions. Here are a few to get you started.

Match.com is the largest online dating service and caters to everyone due to its sheer size. It has 8 million registrants across 30 different sites around the world in 18 different languages. You can do free searches and take advantage of various tools short of being able to contact anyone. Match.com enables you to refine your search with free personality and physical attraction tests. “Venus” also conducts auto searches with results emailed daily or weekly. Match.com does a good job of policing their site - each profile is checked for dirty pictures or foul language before it is posted.

Yahoo Personals has a large membership with profiles that are regularly updated. They offer free searches and an Advanced Search feature enabling you to select matches based on up to 8 different criteria including body type, eye color, income level and interests. You can also conduct keyword searches and results may be emailed weekly, daily or otherwise.

Jdate.com is the largest Jewish singles network with 500,000 registered members, 15,000 new members joining each month and it’s free to create a personal profile, post photos and search for members.

Singlerepublican.com is a dating site for “conservative American singles” so if you’re searching for someone who leans more to the right, this is the place for you.

Eharmony.com differentiates itself by offering a service that tries to match singles that are soul mates and “compatible not just on the surface.” If you have the patience to fill in a lengthier questionnaire, this might be for you.

Protect Your Safety While Having Fun

While online dating services offer a fun and secure environment to meet other singles, it’s important to use sound judgment and be responsible. In both the virtual and real worlds, common sense is your best safety tool.

Start slow

Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true. Begin by communicating solely via Instant Messenger or email, then look for odd behavior or inconsistencies. Trust your instincts. If anything makes you uncomfortable, walk away for your own safety and protection.

Guard your anonymity

Never include your last name, email address, home address, phone number, place of work or any other identifying information in your profile or initial messages.

Exercise caution and common sense

Careful, thoughtful decisions generally yield better dating results. Take all the time you need to test for a trustworthy person and if you suspect someone is lying, he or she probably is, so act accordingly.

Request a photo

If all you hear are excuses about why you can’t see a photo, consider that he or she has something to hide. And try and make sure the photo is a recent one, as you’d be surprised at how many people send pictures that are 10 or more years old!

Meet in a safe place

When you choose to meet offline, always tell a friend where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date’s name and telephone number with your friend. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home. Provide your own transportation, meet in a public place at a time with many people around, and when the date is over, leave on your own as well.