Chaps - the time for recruitment is currently is better than it has been for a long time. Frankly it is not about time to despair - go out and make contact - attend fairs and speak to the airlines and do things out of kilter to get that lead. Use linkedin and many other items. Fly for fun because you got your license to fly and enjoy it.
If you keep going and keep trying you will always feel you gave it your best and its fate the decides whether you get in or not. Be happy and keep going. There are opportunities out there ..... But be prepared to sacrifice a lot ......
You can work in flight ops, as cc, ops something to give you the leveredge....
But I totally understand that with family commitments and kids and the rest - its makes it even more difficult - but its comes down to how badly do you want it.
good luck