Sometimes all it takes is mailing a portfolio and a resume, or sending out a blind email [and trust me, I've done that too.] Get the right person at the right time, and you're in. So far, I am not.
There are plenty of examples of people sending the same book to 50 agencies, and getting in somewhere. But, there are probably more examples of when this doesn't work. And frankly, that just isn't my style. My friend and I were talking about this and agreed that mass marketing rarely works in today's world, so why would we market ourselves like that? It's all about adapting to the right audience - and I don't see why this idea wouldn't extend to a possible employer.
Here's to hoping it will.
Enjoy.