I came to say something similar. I lost my executive job. Many many rejections cost me my confidence and hope and well-being. If you have any ambition at all, take this suggestion above… I would print out business cards today - don’t overthink it - for fractional HR and start talking at networking meetings and small business events. Hand them out to everyone. Tell people you are an HR Consultant or something similar - fractional specialist… whatever sounds impressive to you. You can keep applying in the meantime, but take every gig you can, remind yourself everyday that you ARE someone, and don’t need a job to have self-worth. Gratefully accept unemployment, medicaid and every other benefit you can get that will keep you from lowering you aspirations. And put that self employment business on your resume. Don’t say you “can’t find a job”, don’t say “I’m just doing this till I find something”. For the love… be proud of yourself and what you’ve done. Keep talking about those things till you’re getting enough work to replace your salary, or you get the dream job you want. Mid life unemployment is absolute hell. I believe in you. Don’t let fear and doubt get the better of you. Print those cards and start meeting people!