Experience is not relevant and actually a negative in the present environment.
Don't spend money on aviation related material - spend it on psychobabble stuff as that will get your foor in the door.
The ability to put round pegs into square holes ie the modern psychobabble run by people who have no aviation background is king and clearly demonstrates how the HR cancer has emasculated flight crew management - they might be "managers" with a title on the door but have stuff all input into the department they are supposed to be managers of, certainly regards to recruitment.
Harder for oldies to adapt to the new (better - yeah, right!) approach or for those who view it for what it is - bull****.
Cheers.