I have tried that route, but for a variety of reasons they never lead anywhere (as in, never got the referrals).

Mainly because my old colleagues are very busy, and disorganized.

But you know how people are, they always say they will refer you (and probably do have the best of intentions) but it just never works out.

So my network is pretty much tapped out. Trying to get beyond the network on my own...that's the tricky part.