How can I move out of retail?
I (26F) have been working retail since graduating college and I'm getting sick of it. I'm a middle manager at a bookstore, and I'm in charge of all the non-book product (something I very much hate. I applied for this because I have loved being a bookseller in the past, when I was living at home and didn't have to pay rent). Despite being good at parts of my job, I feel like I could apply my skills towards a more fulfilling career. I'm feeling a little frustrated because it seems like the only things I have ever been hired for have been retail positions, and it does make me wonder if it's all I'm good at.
I have skills in organization, time management, and attention to detail. I've been praised for my customer service abilities, but really I am looking for something that can help people. I have an interest in media, journalism, or some kind of editorial production. I am passionate about environmental causes and cinema. My BA is in Film & Media and my MA is in Humanities. I have strong skills in written and verbal communication.
When applying for other jobs I worry that my lack of industry experience is preventing me from being hired. I'm also wondering if I haven't been saying the right things in my resumes and cover letters, but I genuinely have no idea what those would be. I pull from the job descriptions and match keywords to the best of my ability, but nothing seems to stick for the jobs I actually care about. I am really strongly opposed to using AI, but I fear that it might be the only way for anything to actually stick.
It's also frustrating because I know that this is one of the worst job markets and we are all struggling together. Part of me wonders if it's even worth it to move out of retail when it, at least, is a job that can pay my bills. It's becoming increasingly difficult for me to go to work because I hate it so much, which is why I'm conflicted. I really do think I can do better things in life, but I don't want to be unemployed again, and it's frustrating that I keep getting ghosted or rejected. I was unemployed for 8 months before getting this job in February, and in that time I had maybe 4 interviews. My lease ends over the summer and I'm thinking about moving home again to figure things out, but that really does feel like a last resort.
Does anyone know how to transition jobs, or move from one field into another? Or at least, does anyone have any tips for writing resumes and cover letters that can actually lead to an interview?