So this and the parent post both make sense to some degree. My problem is I don't even know how to identify the people even if they were right in front if me.

So this and the parent post both make sense to some degree. My problem is I don't even know how to identify the people even if they were right in front if me. And even if I did I am not sure how I can get them to "accept" me at more than a grunt (or capability level - 2) capacity. An example, about 10 years ago a YC company (that would go on to be valued at high double digit billion valuation) was hiring. They were series A at the time. I knew I was more than qualified for that role (I had done that role at that stage of a company in similar domains multiple times). I had no pedigree ofcourse (founders were all MIT so clear they they were doing a breadth first traversal around that network of friends). Naturally never heard back. Sour grapes? Reasonably so. To this point startup land is a huge crapshoot. Being in the in-network confers a 1000x advantage already and being outside is just tons of things you need to line up to get lucky! My learning has also been you can try for the jackpot, or work at a big co and outside your work work on building your brand (building, blogging, side projects, marketing etc). Bonus if that brand comes through your work.