I passed my Cat C Jun 2017 and C+E in October 2017 at the age of 47. I then went job hunting in early 2018 by which time i had turned 48 and not driven a HGV since my test.
First company I visited gave me the start. I am from the Birmingham area which may have helped, as there seems to be plenty of work around here, as from what I have read on this forum certain area are easier to get the start than others.
Good luck