When I got my frozen ATPL I couldn't get a flying job so worked chopping vegetables for a catering company. 6 months later I did an IR in a Jetranger. 2 hours after landing from the IRT I had 3 decent job offers and I hadn't even told anyone I'd passed (the examiner did!!??)
So as far as I'm concerned it was all worthwhile. Also if you get your timing right and they like you the school that runs the course will help fund you and bond you to a job on the North Sea.
This was all 5 years ago though and things change.