A few years ago, I found myself in a place many of us know too well: standing at a career crossroads. My contract had just ended, the job boards felt like black holes, and my inbox echoed with automated rejections. I was qualified, experienced – even passionate – but somehow, invisible.

One chilly Thursday morning, I walked into a local coffee shop, not for a job interview, but just to get out of the house and clear my head. I had my laptop, a half-baked resume draft open, and a growing feeling of frustration. That’s when I ran into Maya.

We’d worked together briefly years ago on a cross-department project. She recognized me, waved, and asked if she could join me. Small talk turned into a genuine catch-up, and before I knew it, I was sharing my current career limbo.

What happened next changed everything.

Maya didn’t offer me a job – but she listened. And then she said, “You know, I think you should talk to Jonah. He’s building a team and I think your skillset would fit perfectly.” She made the introduction that evening.

That single conversation led to a meeting. That meeting led to an interview. And two weeks later, I was working in a new role that reignited my passion and doubled my growth.

Here’s the truth I learned the hard way: networking isn’t just about who you know. It’s about who remembers you. And sometimes, the most meaningful opportunities don’t start with a job application – they start with a conversation.

Since then, I’ve changed how I think about connection. It’s not transactional. It’s not about pitching yourself or collecting contacts like business cards. It’s about showing up, staying curious, helping others where you can, and being open to serendipity.

Because when we treat networking as an art – not a chore – it becomes less about “getting” and more about “connecting.” And that’s where the magic lives.

3 Takeaways for Your Own Career Journey:

1. Reach out before you need to. The best time to build your network is always now. Don’t wait until you’re desperate to reconnect with someone.
2. Be curious, not calculated. Ask questions, listen actively, and be genuinely interested in others. You’ll be surprised what doors that opens.
3. Stay visible. Share your thoughts, your wins, your challenges – whether on LinkedIn, in coffee chats, or community groups. The more you show up, the more people remember you.

So if you’re out there, staring down a job hunt, wondering if anyone’s noticing – remember: your next opportunity might not come from a job board. It might be waiting in a simple “Hey, how have you been?”

The art of connection isn’t about luck. It’s about being human and being present.