I have PPL and Night at the moment with 80 hours.
I'm just about to start Module 1 with BGS. Whilst studying for module 1 I will be flying to get my hours up to around 130 TT. I will then sit the exams for Module 1. Depending on the outcome, hopefully a good one, I will then continue to fly the required 150 hours and study for Module 2. When I'm nearing the end of Module 2, I'm going to start my CPL training, hoping that with Module 2 passed all I have to do is sit the CPL and move swiftly onto the MEIR. All being equal I will then start to look for work!
I'm doing this whilst I'm working full time and my expected time frame is 21 months.
I personally will not complete the ATPL exams and then try to start the CPL. It eats into job hunting time and those exams are only valid for so long, so having them without the privilege to fly is useless. As soon as the exams are complete, I'll be job hunting, with the exception of the MEIR training.
I would certainly go up to keep your hand in but try and keep money by for the later stages.
Good Luck