KindAdvice7491's journey

I've been on a job search for about 5 months now after deciding to change careers and going back to school. I've applied to 117 different positions, but unfortunately, I've faced rejection from all of them. I know it might not seem like a long time in the grand scheme of things, but being unemployed has added a lot of stress to my life. Recently, I thought I finally had a breakthrough after two great interviews with a company that seemed to align with my values. However, after weeks of waiting and some back-and-forth communication, I received an email stating that while they were impressed with my background, they decided to go with a candidate who had more direct experience. This really pushed me to my breaking point. It feels disheartening to know that despite my impressive experience and cultural fit, I still seem unhirable. I'm left wondering how others manage to successfully change careers. Am I the only one feeling this way?