as a former recruiter and employment manager, I know that people who get past the front door and present themselves in a positive way really do get hired. be able to present yourself as someone with accomplishments, at whatever level is appropriate for your experience.
the value of networking is sometimes overblown, but do keep your ears open. during one recession, I asked hires how they came to show up at our doorstep. the best: "my wife was grocery shopping and ran into a friend who asked how my job search was going. someone walking by heard her, stopped, and told her to send him to XXX, they're hiring." there is a god...