I am going by what friends of mine have told me. You don't need thousands upon thousands of hours. A type rating definitely helps though. 2 examples I can give, 1 guy, 3000 hours total flying time all on airbus was offered a contract with QR on A332. The other has just over 1000 total hours all on the 320 and was also offered a contract. Both these guys are friends of mine who worked for european airlines. Both these guys did not sign the contract. As these companies might make you believe that people are busting down the door.....it's not the case. They will have to lower their requirements because they simply are not filling the seats.