Make that call
The phone is a valuable tool that gives you information while you get to stay anonymous. Pretend to be interested in talking to the CEO; you won't get him, but you'll chat with a lot of secretaries on your way from the switchboard to his office. Be friendly, make some small talk, see what you can find out about the top levels and their accessibility. Leave a fake name but no number; just say you'll try again later.
Compile a list of who's who in your prospective department and Human Resources as well. You can say you need names and titles for a mailing list, if that gets you the access you need. While you're getting referred from department to department, try to be as chatty as possible; remember that what you're really after is information.
Follow up on any openings. If the secretary comments that a certain department head is on an extended leave, ask a few casual questions: "I hope they aren't ill," or "Who's handling her work while she's out? I bet they're overloaded." One or two good conversations with a bored receptionist can tell you volumes. Try calling at lunchtime, when a replacement is likely to be covering the phones; he or she may be less "loyal" and more willing to chat.
"Confide" in the HR receptionist; don't tell them who you really are, but mention that you are thinking of applying at the company. If you're friendly and sound a little nervous, she might help you out by giving some tips on who does the interviewing and how the process works. If not, don't push; she's probably busy and you may have caught her at a bad time. You can always call back.
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