The next few days felt different. Aarav carried himself with a new, subtle confidence. He still walked the scorching streets, submitting applications, but his approach was altered. Instead of waiting passively for calls, he became proactive. Armed with the "Basic Networking Principles" infused by the ASM, he began seeking out opportunities for direct interaction.
He discovered a small, local engineering exhibition happening at a community center. It wasn't a grand industry expo, but a collection of smaller companies showcasing their services. He dressed in his best (and only) clean shirt, his CV neatly folded in his hand, and walked in. His communication skills, now at Level 2, were noticeably sharper. He approached booths, not just to hand out his CV, but to genuinely engage with the representatives, asking insightful questions about their projects, listening actively to their responses, and expressing genuine interest.
He found himself instinctively identifying key individuals – the project managers, the operations heads – rather than just the HR reps. He introduced himself clearly, articulating his skills and aspirations with newfound clarity and conviction. When he spoke, his voice was steady, his eye contact unwavering. He felt less like a desperate job seeker and more like a professional seeking connection.
One such interaction was with a mid-sized firm specializing in HVAC systems for commercial buildings. The company's lead engineer, Mr. Omar Al-Zahrani, initially appeared reserved. But Aarav's focused questions about their recent cooling projects in high-rise structures, and his ability to articulate his understanding of complex thermodynamics, sparked Mr. Al-Zahrani's interest. The ASM subtly prompted Aarav to mention his final year project on energy-efficient cooling solutions, a detail he would have previously omitted out of shyness.
"Your CV is quite standard," Mr. Al-Zahrani said, glancing at the paper. "But your understanding of the practical challenges… that's uncommon for someone fresh out of university." He paused, then handed Aarav a business card. "Come to our office tomorrow morning, 9 AM. We have a junior draughtsman position opening soon. It's not engineering per se, but it's a start."
Aarav's heart leaped. A genuine lead! Not a vague "we'll call you," but a direct invitation. He thanked Mr. Al-Zahrani profusely, walked out of the exhibition hall with a spring in his step, feeling the desert breeze like a caress rather than an assault. The ASM hummed softly in his mental background, a reassuring presence.
The next morning, he arrived at Al-Zahrani Engineering fifteen minutes early. The office was modern, bustling with activity. He felt a flicker of his old nervousness, but the communication upgrade kept him poised. The interview with Mr. Al-Zahrani was less about grilling and more about assessing his personality and practical knowledge. Aarav found himself effortlessly explaining complex schematics, discussing design principles, and even offering suggestions on potential efficiency improvements, all insights prompted by his enhanced "Engineering Proficiency" (still Level 1, but clearly benefiting from the general lift in cognitive function).
Before he left, Mr. Al-Zahrani nodded. "Aarav, your enthusiasm is commendable. We're a busy firm, and the draughtsman role requires precision and a good eye for detail. We can offer you a three-month probationary contract, starting next week. The pay is modest, 3,500 Dirham