It's always been like that. I'm an IT manager, and hiring & firing is one of my responsibilities. For every advert I post, I get at least 50 CVs in return.
I don't envy you, but I can assure you that I went through it myself. I worked part time in a mailroom, packed towels on a nightshift, directed traffic, and delivered stationery for nine months prior to getting my first "proper" role. I found my position by sending out my own mail-shot to about 100 companies in London (using Yellow Pages), enclosing a CV and a covering letter. Sometimes paper is better than email. And, if you are signing-on, the Job Centre will pay for your stamps etc.
Oh, and if the field you're going to work in is anything like the IT industry, then avoid signing up to hundreds of agencies - use a couple and phone them once a week to keep your CV near the top of the pile. But look yourself. Boast, brag, cheat, steal... just don't lie.
Keep plugging on and you'll get there.