A message landed in my inbox last week that stopped me cold.

"I'm terrible at networking. I don't even really have friends. At 50, that's tough to admit."

This came from a UX designer with 15 years of experience.

Someone who had shipped products that thousands of people use daily.

Someone who had mentored junior designers.

Someone who had solved complex problems with elegant solutions.

But they felt invisible.

Not because they lacked skill.

Because the hiring game rewards visibility, not quiet competence.

I've been thinking about this message for days.

Because it represents something most experienced designers won't admit out loud.

The industry has shifted toward personal branding and self-promotion.

LinkedIn posts about "journey" and "growth mindset."

Portfolio sites that read like marketing copy.

Networking events where small talk feels performative.

Meanwhile, some of our most talented designers are sitting on the sidelines.

They're not naturally good at putting themselves out there.

They don't enjoy the spotlight.

They prefer to let their work speak for itself.

But their work can't speak if no one knows it exists.

Here's what I told this designer:

Visibility doesn't require becoming someone you're not.

It requires finding the right people to see who you already are.

Instead of trying to network with everyone, focus on connecting with a few people who value depth over performance.

Instead of posting on LinkedIn daily, share one thoughtful insight monthly.

Instead of attending large networking events, have coffee with one person who does work you respect.

The goal isn't to become a different person.

The goal is to help the right people discover the person you already are.

This is exactly what we work on in Career Creators.

Not changing your personality to fit the job market.

But finding strategic ways to showcase your authentic value.

We have clients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who land dream roles without becoming social media personalities.

They do it by building genuine relationships with people who appreciate their specific expertise.

By positioning themselves as valuable resources rather than desperate job seekers.

By focusing on quality connections over quantity metrics.

If you're feeling invisible in your job search, you're not alone.

And you don't need to transform into someone else to be seen.

You just need the right strategy.

Reply "Details" if you want to learn more about Career Creators.

Talk soon,

Joseph

P.S. Ageism is real. But invisibility hurts more. you don’t need to be seen by everyone. You just need to be seen by the right few.