Had two hamsters (Calvin and Hobbes) growing up. Both just got old and sick with old hamster stuff. Their deaths happened exactly the same way: my mom reaches into the cage because they haven’t been moving much for a while. Their last act of life is to bite her finger as hard as they can, so she naturally flings them at the wall in front of us kids. Splat.
Good news, you’re not alone! I have a terminal degree and have been unemployed for even longer. It’s rough out there. You are doing literally everything I’ve been told across several years. Do NOT go back for a MA and put yourself in debt just to get the letters — this is not a good time for higher education.
Direct apply is the best advice I can give. If you find a listing on a job board, go to the company itself for the application. Everyone has a different opinion on how to do a résumé and cover letter, and I think the more input you can get the better. Have some more basic text ones you can feed into the applicant tracking systems (the newfangled trendy ones with your picture and skill percentages will get bounced.) Also see if there’s a local “young professionals” group through your chamber of commerce for more networking.
I really do wish you the best. It sounds like you already have a lot of good stuff going on.