I've been unemployed for a year and 4 months. My extended benefits expire at the end of December and I live alone so I absolutely HAVE to find some kind of job.

I have a Master of Social Work which I got late in life - just 6 years ago - and I'm 54. My job experience is varied but I have been trying to find a social work job. However the competition is intense as there are not enough jobs; this was verified by the man at the unemployment office. Social services are being cut and people being laid off. So I am thinking I will have to try to find something else but not sure how to go about it. Apply for retail or some kind of office job and be told I'm overqualified/overeducated? Leave the advanced degree off my resume (as someone advised me)? I have tried applying for customer service positions since my last job was partly customer service for a health care company, but most of those are also sales. I can't do sales; I've tried.

I have tried applying at temporary or other employment agencies but I don't hear back. In fact I don't hear back for most things I apply for! My resume and cover letters are well written. I get lots of advice but no real help..... no attempts at networking have led anywhere...volunteering hasn't led anywhere....

Believe it or not I'm not feeling hopeless or depressed most of the time (I am I think in a pretty good space as far as recovering from depression) but I am starting to feel useless and like I won't be able to do any kind of job, and that it would be too hard to work around other people since I'm so isolated!

Well I just wanted to put this out there. Maybe there are others in similar situations. I'm not opposed to real suggestions but tired of empty advice.

(And yes, I have gotten interviews - about one every 2 months)