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 your may think. Networking is not begging. In fact, you should not be asking for a job, you should be seeking information that may lead to a job. Usually your networking contacts will not be potential employers, they will be people who know about potential employment.