But, if you are asking advice of someone in a town where you don't want to live or if you expect to be happily employed for months into the future, you clearly cannot be a job seeker. Whatever reason you give, you must be firm in your declarations that you aren't looking for a job. You just want a few minutes of expert advice. You have a referral from a mutual acquaintance. Customers and family members of your target are best.
Former professors are almost as good.
Practically anyone is better than a cold call, for most of us. There are a few talented possessors of magnetic personalities who can wangle advice from total strangers unannounced. I can t do that. But I have done well when I could mention the name of a mutual acquaintance. You re prepared to retain control in case they try to turn it into a job interview.