What am I going wrong?
I have been looking for a job since before I got laid off and seem to be having no luck. I know that Im older but nowhere near retirement age, so that shouldnt be a problem, or is it?
It could be a myriad of things.
The landscape for applying for jobs has changed. A lot of companies use applicant tracking systems to field resumes and applications. If your resume doesn't contain crucial keywords or if it is formatted in a non ATS-friendly format, your resume may never see human eyes. You can Google "ATS Friendly Resumes" for more information on constructing a resume that will get noticed.
Competition in your area may be heavy. More and more people are vying for a single job, thanks to how easy it is to access the help wanted ads and apply for positions.
In some states, it's who you know, not what you know. There's nothing you can really do here except use sites like LinkedIn to connect with employees and leadership at companies you wish to work for. Leverage professional networks to get your name noticed.
Have multiple resumes tailored for different markets/industries. Don't use a "One Ring to Rule Them All" approach.
5)Sometimes it just takes time. Some "experts" say that it takes one month for every ten thousand in salary you require to find a job. The higher paying the position, the longer it will take to land that job.
If you are eligible for unemployment, file. It won't necessarily go a long way in paying the bills, but some money in the bank is better than none.
where are you looking?