In your cover letter stress types of positions and industries you seek, give the compensation range you are seeking, when you will be available for interviews or to start working in this area. Remember, recruiters and search firms neither work for nor represent individual job seekers. They work for the companies that pay them their fees to fill their openings. Don't rely only on recruiters although though they are a good source. Check ads in the papers and websites and network, network, network through people you know.
Most jobs come through networking because that is how most companies find employees.
I have the worst manager for a boss. I don't know how she got to be where she is. I want to avoid this in the future with other bosses. Actually, we find that private meetings with current employees usually will provide useful information. Finally, I know of hundreds of well-managed firms and organizations.