Generally the jobs are 'dead mans shoes' and they tend to go for ex-military. That said, there are plenty of 'civilian only' pilots out there doing an excellent job. I am off sick at the moment so I cant read the books, but I seem to remember 1500 hours being the minimum sort of experience asked. In this world of airlines starting to recruit again........ you never know.... less hours might be enough, if people are moving on in numbers....