<p>Doesn’t usually work, OP, to say “Hey, I’m interested in A, do you know anyone there??” I’ve tried. But as krytonsa suggested, it can help to build a list of schools and professors at these places and show them to your professors. It worked for me this round so far. Sometimes professors aren’t always aware that somebody’s moved. I’ve run into this more than once- “Oh I didn’t know that X was working here… I thought he was still at Y…” Or if your professors are older, then their colleagues at previous schools might have retired already and just don’t know the new faculty. It just has a lot to do with how close they are with their colleagues to make a case for you personally.</p>