As another example, a friend of mine got an interview with Bear Stearns (back when there was a Bear Stearns). While he was in New York he called up the other in

As another example, a friend of mine got an interview with Bear Stearns (back when there was a Bear Stearns). While he was in New York he called up the other investment banks in the area and told them "hey, I'm in town to interview with Bear, could I stop by to interview with you guys too?". Many of them said yes, including the bank he really wanted to work for. The interview with Bear gave him the social proof he needed to get his foot in the door. Had he sent in his resume to the other banks' websites, it would have disappeared into the HR black hole.