As @Humana said, a lot of “career advice” is or can seem contradictory.
Being a recruiter itself sounds like hell as much as looking for a job. Having to be the one who communicates bad news to so many people all the time, having to go through reams of resumes and bullshit, your career being specifically tied to whether firms are hiring or not, which leads to being laid off followed by employers rushing to find people to hire with again…
Looking for jobs takes practice and a whole lot of luck. “Leverage your network” is just bullshit speak for talk to people you know who might know where a job for you is. Firms hire at random times during the year, some months no bites, others you’ll get multiple.
Remember this variance is not your fault whatsoever and has nothing to do with your abilities.
The best time to look is while you have work but the second best time is now.
I know it is daunting, and the search feels endless. It might take you hundreds of rejections and 10 tries of getting very close but not making it but you only need 1 offer at minimum.
Like a “Continue?” screen at the arcade, you only lose if you give up.