[codegeek]

Go on Linkedin and search for small companies with less than 50 employees that have been in business for 3-5 years minimum. Figure out what they do, what they sell and if you would be interested in their company. Don't worry about whether they have a job listing or not.

Approach their founder(s) directly and sell yourself.

[malfist]

Is this the new version of "just walk in and ask for a job" of our parent's time?

[DANmode]

Is being unwilling to dig deep, find direct contacts (to avoid being grouped with LinkedIn or Indeed mass-appliers) and actually understand the place you're applying (and their mission statement) before writing your note/cover letter

the new version of not being willing to go into a place and ask for a job?

Yeah. I'd say so.

[malfist]

There's no intrinsic value in a high effort action that has no chance of success.

Tell me. How many times did this strategy work for you?

[DANmode]

Every time.

Why else would I recommend it?

There's no intrinsic value in hiring someone that couldn't be bothered to fudge that they were Mad Libs-ing their cover letter.

[codegeek]

Yes and it can work if you do it the right way. I have done it at least twice in my career.