I have had 4 jobs in my software engineering career so far -- I have gotten none of them from applying (despite applying to many, many listings and even having

I have had 4 jobs in my software engineering career so far -- I have gotten none of them from applying (despite applying to many, many listings and even having gotten interviews through those applications). 1 personal connection, 2 recruiters employed by the hiring company, 1 third party recruiter on contract through the hiring company. It just seems to me like a company having put out an application just doesn't mean they are all that motivated to hire. Having hired recruiters on the other hand...