Coming from personal experience where I landed high level jobs in the past and still do.
All of them have came from friends/colleagues who shared a past interest in something either in the grey area of the law (but not illegal per se, but taboo) or something we enjoyed doing that was very specialized.
Example of the grey area was when I lived in Singapore, Hong Kong/Macau and NYC, I met a lot friends who were new to the area that were also into hobbying that I helped become acquainted to in the industry locally. Most were Investment bankers and lawyers, VC's. They helped me with many aspects of finding great jobs in the future, sometimes years later. My intention wasn't to use them for some gain, it just happened that I helped them when I could and some reciprocated later in life when I needed them.
Network with people in areas that you enjoy and are specialized. Build trust and rapport by making genuine friendships, help them when you can, don't expect anything in return and be grateful when they do. I now spend my days sitting/sleeping in a vehicle earning what most dentist and doctors make in Canada, with additional perks to boot.
