If there are local employers that are of interest, develop a circuit which you drive each week to check on openings. When you find an appropriate job notice, download the application from the company Web site, pick up an application or have one sent to you if there's time. Prepare it thoughtfully, carefully, neatly. Submit a resume tailored for the particular position along with a highly polished cover letter. You'd be amazed at the number of applicants screened out because of sloppy paperwork.
Great paperwork is a relatively easy way to score points.
Follow-up on an application with a polite phone call. This strategy requires that you take a volunteer position, internship, cooperative education placement or a lower level position in an organization of interest to you. You use the position to establish personal contacts with as many people as possible and to gain valuable experience. Many cooperative education positions with the federal government can be used to enter otherwise closed systems. For more information on this technique contact the Academic Internship Program .