Sadly, it's a fine line you tread when applying for a job in this industry. It seems to me that a few organisations are simply collecting CVs and that real jobs are few and far between at this time. Whilst treading that fine line, it is very easy to step onto the wrong side and become a bit too pushy. That has a tendency to put people off a candidate, no matter how well qualified he/she is. Again, a 3 minute response at the outset would solve that, it removes doubt and it removes the candidate's anticipation.
I think it is fair to say that "who you know" is as important as ever, and that's ok. Getting that application for a real job in front of the right person is the task. Unfortunately, in the larger operations, HR has their task to do too, and that is to vet the applications for the main man or woman.
But even HR departments could spend 3 minutes per applicant to let them know they won't be invited to the party.
Tam