I learned go and that was unusual enough in London to make me more attractive to a company that needed it.
I took a few steps back in salary from where I had been to get a job in a new technology area. Now I earn more.
I don't have an excellent answer for you - C is a bit too limiting as you mention but I wouldn't stop looking because a company that needs you at a reasonable price might be out there and might overlook your lack of embedded experience if they like you as a fit for their team - eager to learn, person they could have a beer with kind of thing.
I would definitely learn some other thing - at least to show you can. Something too popular won't give you that "we can ignore experience" thing and something too odd won't get any hits. You could say "I'm learning Rust" or "Go (basic level" on your CV and see if it gets you more hits.
I took a few steps back in salary from where I had been to get a job in a new technology area. Now I earn more.
I don't have an excellent answer for you - C is a bit too limiting as you mention but I wouldn't stop looking because a company that needs you at a reasonable price might be out there and might overlook your lack of embedded experience if they like you as a fit for their team - eager to learn, person they could have a beer with kind of thing.
I would definitely learn some other thing - at least to show you can. Something too popular won't give you that "we can ignore experience" thing and something too odd won't get any hits. You could say "I'm learning Rust" or "Go (basic level" on your CV and see if it gets you more hits.