Running out of energy for job hunting

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I just got denied another job. Thankfully this time there seemed to be a practical reason for the dismissal, and I am actually hopeful that if a new job comes available I might get it. Still over the past 6 or so months, I have applied to easily over 25 jobs (probably closer to 40), 90% of which didn't even write back to me, a few others said they had nothing available at this time, 1 invited me to travel across country for an interview, during which time he told me he was unlikely to hire an autistic (at a school for autistics), and 1 of which it seemed like I really had a shot at. Does this mean that it will take another 40 letters for me to get 1 more interested person, who may or may not hire me? I can't do this forever, and my current job doesn't pay enough for me to live on, much less try to pay off my major student loan debt. I am doing all of this to no end, and it is getting tiring.

I applied to over 300 places and had about 10 interviews before I landed a job and it wasn't anywhere near my field. What's worse is that was when the economy was in great shape! I don't know much about your current situation, but I can tell I learned from my experience:

* You stand a much better chance if you can make a personal connection. For me it was hockey: once I mentioned being a hockey player that usually led to a MUCH better interview. Didn't get the jobs but came awfully close.
* Most of what "employment counselors" told me was complete and utter BS! The worst thing I did was take their suggestions.
* There are a number of websites that advertise jobs. In Canada, the government run job bank is a 100% waste of time unless you are looking for minimum wage/temporary jobs. Basically, some are FAR better than others.
* Many jobs are unadvertised because companies are overwhelmed with unqualified applicants that lie about credentials.
* You almost need to know someone in the industry you are after. Not necessarily as a friend, but someone who knows you on a first name basis.
* The more advertised a position is, the less chance you have. My current job was barely advertised but still got 300+ qualified applicants!
* Quality over quantity. The worst thing you can do is follow the 'expert' advice and apply everywhere. It will be clear you didn't put much effort into it.

No matter where you live, the whole job process is ridiculously flawed. In spite of the high number of applicants, I'd say about 50% of new hires I question how they could have even passed an interview. Unfortunately, the whole 'networking' mentality means us on the spectrum are at an even greater disadvantage due to our poor social skills.

I applied for 28 jobs once before I got a hit.

LOL. I love seeing and hearing people talk about applying for huge flurries of jobs. I've been unemployed since graduating over 5 years ago, not counting an 8-month, two-term internship with a major environmental nonprofit. During that period I've applied for less than 15 jobs (both forced by voc. rehab. and unforced). My Asperger's is actually dwarfed by my working-memory deficit ("sluggish cognitive tempo"), but together they negate any sort of competitive advantage I might have. Let me just say that choosing college degrees based on one's ability to get them, regardless of whether they're from great schools or not, is the biggest effing mistake one can perpetrate. Here I am a socially ret*d 29 year old technically trained in political campaigning. Get another M.A.? I could never write papers overnight, which is why I chose the "applied field."

Out of my applications I've had 2 interviews. The last one was for a city public-affairs office. The interviewer and I spent most of the time discussing how inappropriate I was for the position.

My last hope is my Schedule A appointment request with a gov't agency, but apparently there's a hiring freeze. And my final 6-month student loan deferment is quickly approaching. Thankfully there are no applications or cover letters for suicide.

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