salapilot,
your situation reminds me of how I was in 94 when there were NO jobs about. What I underestimated was just how many current airline pilots are looking to move about.
I couldn't believe my first job would not involve Airbus or Boeing !!.A bit of advice:try and get an angle on a niche job to get you going. A relative of mine worked for BAe and managed to get a list of corporate operators at FAB, I contacting them all and showed keen and ultimately got a job on the Citation. A year later with 500 turbine hours and people were much keener to interview me !
The old boys bit will always persist: once you are in an airline I am certain you would recommend mates without a job to give them a hand.A recommendation from an existing crewmember will always carry weight !!
Don't despair, I almost lost my marbles with the constant round of CV flinging and cold calling when I was without a job, get an angle. Good luck