So then, the shotgun approach (sending applications out for everything) does not look good to hiring managers. I wonder how many job applicants are making that mistake.
I can't say enough for the approach of actually travelling to the place of business and handing them your resume in person. People get hung up on the fact that they need to have an interview first. Not the case! Just get in the car and go there. If anything, you will get a good sense of the commute, the neighborhood and the company itself.
Just let the reception desk know that you are in the area and would like to drop off your resume. It's a good way to find out who the hiring manager is while you're there (in case it wasn't in the listing). Then you can go home and write a personal letter or email to that hiring manager, letting them know you have already dropped by. That will almost certainly leave a positive impression. And if it doesn't, or if the reception people are very cold to you, it's probably not a company you'd want to work for anyhow.
If you get really lucky, the hiring manager might be around and can see you immediately for an impromptu interview and maybe give you a tour of the facility, so you should be dressed professionally.