Indeed, I always recommend finding someone you know who works at the company and getting an in from the inside. Even if they just throw you to the recruiters, you'll be at the top of the pile and that's often the hardest part.

This is also true, fwiw, of how I recommend switching teams within a company. Go sit with them, see what they're up to, establish a mutual fit, then ask their manager to sort out the transfer with your manager.