I didn't know anybody at the company i got hired at. I was giving them some business and asked them some pretty specific questions. The secretary joked wow you want a job and i said well maybe and went from there. Months of writing resumes and cover letters then i get a job the old fasioned way by walking in with a smile and a handshake.

You are right in many ways still, there is some truth to the saying "it is not what you know, but who you know."