Direct employer contact and networking are the answers. Formal networking is the systematic pursuit of new contacts and information. It is organized and planned. Networking is relational. A good networking relationship will be mutually beneficial to both parties.
Many people have trouble with formal networking, especially as a job search strategy.
The average person will change jobs every five years. Your networking contacts will be much more sympathetic than you may think. Networking is not begging. Usually your networking contacts will not be potential employers, they will be people who know about potential employment. If you discover that a contact is a potential employer, take off your networking hat and pursue employment.