The tech market isn't doing very well. You can check it my the recurring posts like yours here, many with hundreds of comments. It is a tough time out there. I would recommend start something for yourself, an app, a saas project. It can help you keep up with the tech asked in the job posts and also have an excuse for the gap in your CV.
I get that, but why can’t I find anything else.
Years ago, when I was working retail jobs, they would hire fucking anyone. I got stuck working with stoners, alcoholics, and just general clowns, but suddenly these sort of places won’t hire me?
Your resume now signals "white collar upper-middle class" and retail will assume:
- You'll still be looking for work when you join
- You can't/won't work hard
All my friends with PhDs in non-marketable specialties have faced this problem for a decade.
In my experience the best way to get in somewhere is to build a personal connection. Try to reach out by phone or in person to the other side. Make sure you understand the person and the company on the other side. That really helps to get to the top of the list, especially at smaller companies. Then still it can take a thousand no's to get one yes.
Good luck! Hope you land a job soon!