My girlfriend got hired off the street. It took her a few months of applying to just about every open position listed on the FAA's website, but they eventually called and she went to take the written for them in New York. Not long after that she interviewed for a position here in West Lafayette, and they hired her originally for Alaska. She requested the West coast (and technically got it...) and she was able to work them so they put her first in a tower at a Class D airport near LA, but when she found out there were open positions, they put her in SoCal TRACON.

From the sounds of things, if you have a family or roots somewhere they will work with you as best they can to get you close. She told them we were engaged, and I was in San Diego and she got it so you never know. They are hurting for controllers almost everywhere so the ball is for the most part going to be in your court, as long as you stay persistent and put up with the usual FAA bullsh*t. If you have any questions, PM me and I'll put you in contact with her and she'll give you the details as to what she had to do.