I’d add that it’s not to late to form connections now—people you’ve simply _met_ will often offer to recommend you.

I’ve cold called people I don’t know to ask about roles/companies, and had them then go on to advocate for me and get me on the inside loop. People I’ve never worked with! People generally love helping other people. Think: you’d likely do the same.

Also: it’s a positioning game. A name people have heard before is better than one they haven’t …