Hi TGA,
The hour requirement in NetJets Europe of 1500 hours is a slightly more complicated than that. Eg, if you did 1500 hours only in a small piston Cessna, that would not make you competitive. The hour requirements mean that you should have an ATPL. That is, you are qualified to hold a command in a multi pilot aircraft. (Yes, the actual hours required for that are closer to 3000 in reality). In what aircraft type you get those hours is not important, ideally, they should be on a multi pilot aircraft, eg A320, B787, C680, Dash 8 etc.
I don't know what the hour requirements are to join Vistajet or Flexjet. Ok just checked, Vistajet require 2500 hours.
Many of our new hire pilots have come from Ryanair. They do take cadet pilots but the T&Cs aren't brilliant. They get approximately 800-900 hours a year versus someone flying a Cessna Excel possibly getting 200 hours a year. Guess who will get the experience required to join a bigger bizjet outfit? Also, don't ignore the rigorous SOPs (standard operating procedures) that the airlines bring. The Customer focus aspect in a smaller bizjet company is good, but if you're personal operating standards is non existent, you'll struggle (initially) in the bigger companies.
Contacting the Director of Flight Operations may help with smaller companies. The difficulty is access. If they are located on an airport, just getting through security can be practically impossible unless they know you're coming. Always remember, the DFO is usually very busy, so if you don't hear from them, there's probably a good reason.
How to join "X" after gaining your CPL.
0. Get the best grades and passes you can but don't be an annoying person.
1. Get a flying job. Yep, that's the challenge. Don't be an annoying person.
2. If the first job won't get you the experience you need, eg, multi pilot turbine etc. Apply to as many as you can. Here's where not being annoying can help.
3. Keep an eye on recruitment windows. With NetJets Europe, that's through Kura on LinkedIn.
What do I mean by not being annoying? Think about the person you have to be with for 6 days. Do you want them to be irritating, annoying, miserable, whining? Or do you want someone who enjoys the challenge (whatever it may be), keen to learn, turns up prepared, knows when to speak up and knows when to chill, proactive and helps out. Be that person.