How can i find entry-level vb.net/asp.net programming jobs?

i have a fair amount of experience with vb.net and asp.net and have even written my own asp.net web app. i very much want my career to head toward application development, but the problem i am having is that almost every company i find usually requires 5+ years' of relevant experience. this is a deadlock situation since i can't get the experience when no company will hire me based on my minimal credentials.

what tips can you guys give me to successfully find an entry-level position? if you're into such a field, how did you find jobs when your experience level was minimal?

any push in the right direction would help me greatly.

I had the same problem when I was first starting out and I ended up looking at medium sized businesses that were not necessarily development companies, but were looking to have either an in-house developer or add development as a service in a mainly Networking/Computer Repair oriented company. They are probably not going to be able to pay you your dream salary, but if you can hang in there, you'll get those years of experience you need to go on to the high dollar jobs.

Your other alternative is do freelance development. Get a day job and write applications on the side for a few years. Then you can put on your resume that you have been developing for years and that you essentially ran your own development company. They don't have to know it was in your one bedroom apartment!!!

Good luck. Everyone starts at the bottom.