I think the majority of his (and many others') challenge is a two-part problem. How do you stand out agains the flood of applicants trying for every job and how can you get past a screening process that is fairly inhuman in nature?

To me, the answer has been (a) using tactics described in the book "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0" and (b) Non-stop networking.

Once I "Guerrilla"-ed my resume and cover letter, I began getting responses that I hadn't before. Using that, coupled with networking my way directly to the hiring decision makers, has helped tremdously. In addition to the book, the Guerrilla folks also have a Guerrilla Job Search DVD (tinyurl.com/mikesuggests), a Guerrilla Job Hunting Boot Camp, and other materials / products they offer.