I belong to a third world country and have recently completed an Erasmus Masters degree in a subject related to chemistry. My background is pharmacy though and I have experience working in a pharma manufacturing plant (outside EU) (though its been more than 3 years since I left. It was an entry level role, nothing too senior)
Since graduation from the masters around 6 months ago, I have been struggling to find a job related to my field and have been failing spectacularly. No call backs. Barely any polite rejection emails. Straightup ghosting. I am looking for roles in portugal especially since I have permission to work here but application to roles at the rest of the EU is also returning same results. I am aware the job marked is screwed right now. But i don't know if its this bad.
My biggest weakness is language. I am at professional level in English but only at beginners level in portugese.
Since graduation, I have sunk into a pit of severe clinical depression, even leading to hospitalisation once, therefore hindering my progress in learning the new language. I am trying though.
I don't have any friends or acquaintance in the country. I don't know who to ask for advice. What am I doing wrong? What should I be doing? Is there any strategy I am missing? Is there anything specific to portugal that I don't know of? I also have severe social anxiety and am an introvert so I am not even sure how to network, though I know I should get over it and push through. Can anyone give me any advice/feedback/support in this matter?
I would very much like to stay within the field of pharma/chemical/cosmetic/food or any related, but for now open to other roles too, to survive.
I am almost broke living out of my savings (I am not on any social welfare and I refuse to do it and be a burden.) and am scared that I'll have to go back to my country where I don't have access to decent mental healthcare (I tried for 12 years, It was abysmal and violent) and is generally very very unsafe for women.
Any advice from fellow expats in the industry or elsewhere would be highly welcome.
I thank you for your time.