Dense-Ingenuity5758's journey

I'm a Senior Product Designer with 7–8 years of experience, currently based in LA. I previously worked as a Lead Product Designer, focusing on e-commerce mobile apps and complex cross-platform experiences for well-known consumer retail brands and gaming companies. Recently, I was in a contract role that was supposed to convert to full-time, but due to a sudden company-wide layoff, I was let go without any severance. Now, I'm picking up small part-time projects to make ends meet, but I'm urgently seeking a stable full-time position. I've been actively tailoring my resume for specific roles using AI tools to ensure alignment with job descriptions. I've also revamped my portfolio and received critical feedback from senior colleagues. I've been preparing thoroughly for interviews and have reached final rounds, but unfortunately faced a rejection at the last minute. My outreach to recruiters mostly leads to 1–2 month contract roles, and many have mentioned how tough the current tech and design market is. I've built products using Claude Code, v0, and Lovable in my previous roles. Despite taking all the right steps, I feel stuck and burned out by the job search process. Passing final rounds only to hit a wall is really affecting my anxiety and motivation. I'm reaching out to anyone who has successfully landed a job after a layoff. I would appreciate any insights on transitioning to mid-to-senior roles, particularly what small shifts in case studies or presentation styles have made a difference for you. Also, in the competitive e-commerce/mobile space, what specific metrics or stories are hiring managers currently valuing? Any honest feedback would be greatly appreciated!