Damn, finding a new job in middle age is a tough proposition...

[Mossfern]

6. A couple of my kids went through the same thing.

It's horribly depressing. Replying to job listings, completing applications, tailoring resumes is very time consuming. Most of the time those applications and resumes seem to end up in an abyss. Nobody has the decency to let you know that they've already hired someone else - just leave you hanging for week, even months.

Finally at this point in time, they are all employed ...or rather underemployed. Hopefully they can advance in their jobs or find better ones. (knock on wood). Sometimes I think that I should have sent them to trade school instead of university.

They stayed afloat by doing menial odd jobs just to put food in their mouths. One of them (holder of a PhD in a science related field) spent a year living out of their van.

I sincerely send you my best wishes and hope that you find decent employment soon.

ETA: BTW, they are 36 and 44. The tips others have given you are spot on.
Also: I deemed your post worthy of my 3,000th reply. I know several people in their
40's and 50's in the same boat. There's something happening here.