RALEIGH -- For those people who believe in love at first sight, first dates often run too long. These people can decide, in a few short minutes, if a potential mate is worth courting. A lengthy dinner date can become a waste of time when you quickly decide that you're not interested in the person sitting across the table.

Time-conscious daters have more options these days. Online dating has helped streamline the dating process, and now a new "power-dating" service brings eligible singles together for eight minutes at a time.

The service, aptly named 8 Minute Dating, brings a large group of people together at a single event. Participants are given a dating schedule, which guides them though an evening of eight, brief dates. Two people meet at a table, converse for eight minutes, then move on to their next rendezvous.

A spokeswoman for 8 Minute Dating says their service appeals to people who are looking for commitment, but are already committed to their jobs.

"A lot of people are married to their jobs," said Sue McGuire, who is organizing 8 Minute Dating's first Raleigh event on March 11. "Some people work 60-80 hours a week, they don't have time to sit at bars and wait. This really speeds up the process. At a bar, you might not meet people who are interested in having a relationship."