I think it depends a lot on the company. I'm currently trying to get into an IT Ops position at Tesla Motors in Europe. I put my app through their HR workflow on their website, but I also found the hiring manager and other people I'd be working with on LinkedIn. Sent a personal message to them, etc, and was told I'd hear back from someone shortly. That was a week ago.
Researching the company, the people around the position, these are extremely helpful ways to get into an org. Its not always going to work though.