My $0.02: Hiring typically follows the path of least resistance. Every hiring decision I've ever witnessed went something like this: "We need somebody with [in

My $0.02: Hiring typically follows the path of least resistance. Every hiring decision I've ever witnessed went something like this: "We need somebody with [insert some skillset]. Do we know of anybody?" This would routinely be followed by a flailing search that would involve job boards, dead-end interviews, and eventually settling on a hire that may or may not work out. I couldn't agree more with tptacek's advice: do not use recruiters. They tend to have very tenuous understanding of their clients' needs, and their clients don't want to use them, anyway. They would love to fill their open positions quickly with talented people, but due to day-to-day responsibilities, don't have the bandwidth to handle these relationships. So the fastest way to get hired in my experience, would be to inject yourself in that process between the decision-makers and the jobs they need filled. I don't think asking people to coffee is necessarily the most effective way to do this, since a lot of people you might like to talk to and would like to hire you are short on time. So my advice would be to cultivate relationships with people at any level at companies you might like to work at. I say any level because the decision-makers routinely ask developers if they know anybody who could fill the position. So attend meetups, or better-yet, start a meetup or ask companies you might like to work at if you could come in and teach a free lunch and learn on topic X. Very few would turn down a free training session for their employees. Good luck! BTW, I don't think the felony makes a difference unless you are going for a job that requires clearance.