So I've been out of work for over a year now. I'm a software engineer with 20 years experience in Java, I have experience in over a dozen other languages, I've worked for companies of around 30 employees as well as big multinationals.

Over the last year, I've applied for literally hundreds of jobs, and I've gotten one interview, got all the way to the final stage of the process but missed out to someone with more experience of that specific framework they wanted. I was told that they really liked me, that my code was good even though I was learning that framework while doing the code test, and that I would integrate with the team very well, but they needed someone with more experience with the framework they use. They did say that if another position opened up this year that they'd get in touch.

So my question is, what the fuck do I do now? I'm still applying for every programming position that comes up on the job boards, I'm emailing recruiters to try to get my foot in the door, I'm teaching myself different frameworks and languages and building small demo apps to show what I can do, but I'm getting nowhere.

Five years ago, I had absolutely no issue getting a job. I'd literally have several job offers within a month of looking. Now there's nothing. For context, I'm in the UK.

So what are my options. What can I do to get work as a programmer in today's market? What else is there for me to do? How would I get started freelance if I've never done that before, and is that even a viable option? Are other people experiencing the same at the moment?

Please help, I'm getting desperate.