I worked in data entry and basic administrative roles for about six years, and I thought I had a solid foundation. However, after my company restructured last year, I was laid off along with many others in similar positions. I expected finding a new job would be straightforward given my experience, but I quickly realized that the job market had changed drastically. Now, every listing seems to require advanced skills in Excel, SQL, or automation tools that I have never used before. I've been applying for jobs for three months now, but I either get rejected immediately or hear nothing back. I even tried taking a free online course to improve my skills, but it’s tough to stay motivated when I’m not sure if employers will value a certificate from an unknown site. The hardest part is feeling like I’m competing against a younger generation that already has the skills that are now in demand. I’m at a crossroads, trying to decide whether I should focus on learning new software or accept that my previous role might not exist anymore and pivot to a completely different field. Has anyone else experienced this? Did you find success in retraining or changing careers?