Have you talked to _refugee_ about helping you with your cover letter / resume / etc?

Also, this may or may not apply to you, but people don't hire people based on awards and experience and your resume. They do...but they really don't. Those things will get you the interview and be tangible reasons for them to hire you. But the real reason people hire people is much more subjective. Things like, "is this person going to make my life easier?" "Is this person going to fit in with the culture?" "Is this person going to be a fun / happy / good energy person to be around in the office?" "Do I want to see this person every day?" "Is there enough work for them to do?" "Is hiring this person going to create more work for me?"

When I was looking for my first big-girl job, my dad said, "They aren't hiring you to use a program, they are hiring you so they don't have to spend the time doing XYZ. Make sure you make their life easier and they know you are on their team." The line I use the most to score jobs is, "I'm really just here to experience new things and make your life easier and hopefully help [company]or[person] [grow][do better][be more efficient][bring in new business]. I'm not picky about what I work on. What's going to help you most?"

The other thing you can try, especially for entry level, is reach out to family / friends / facebook people / etc. Entry level positions usually get like 1000+ resumes sent in. Find a way around the resume pile. Most offices can always use an extra hand but the process of hiring someone is a bitch. From posting the job, to sorting through resumes, to interviewing, to hiring, to training, to hoping they work out in the company, to insurance and payroll and everything else, it's just a fucking bitch. So even if the place doesn't have a post up, they may have work.

Shoot an email to family / friends and ask if they know of any offices who could use an assistance / manager / etc. Keep it super short and don't talk about yourself / your experience at all - just provide a link to your updated linkedin either right at the end or even in your signature. If they want to know your experience, they can click.

Also, go on your facebook and use the search bar and type in "friends who work in [town name]" or "friends who work at [x company]" or "friends who are office managers". Then shoot them a message asking if they know if their company is hiring / if they know of work. It actually works better if you don't know the person super well. People like to help people. BUT! Before you do it, delete anything on your facebook that makes you look bitter or irresponsible or douchey. Even if it's an inside joke, just delete it. Then post a couple things that makes you look good and like someone you would want to help. Something like a nice photo of you and your family, "Just found this photo of my wonderful birthday dinner with the family. It was so great to see everyone again." or "Big shoutout to my friend [NAME] who just [won something, did something cool, etc.]. So proud/happy/thrilled for you!"

Damn that's a lot of text. I'm putting off work, obviously.

Good luck! Keep your head up!