Finding companies I'd be interested in working for

I've figured out that trolling through job boards and applying for the jobs I'm interested in is basically a waste of time. You're competing against hundreds of other resumes. It's really hard to get noticed. In the end, companies go with the people they know or people who are known by current employees. Networking is the way to get your foot in the door. My problem is finding the companies I want to work for. I've got a few ideas but I'm still looking around. I can find places where I'd love to do freelance writing or places where I know they'd be receptive to me doing freelance writing for them. So maybe that's my answer right there. Do freelance writing first to get my foot in the door then things will start happening.