Put yourself in the airline's position - they are confronted with hundreds of applications, all with essentially the same bits of paper saying "I can fly these sorts of aircraft and I've been doing it for the past X hrs." Everyone turns up with the same licence, it's what else they can bring to the table that often makes the difference.
Flying the plane is of course a significant part of the job, but so is the capacity to deal with various issues that may occur both on the flight deck and off the plane. Dealing with complicated commercial factors, making smart decisions and representing the company in the best possible way is what they also need. A solid educational background and/or broader commercial experience can become just as important as logbook time. Regular sim checks and line training ensure you can fly the plane safely and to the company standards, but what else can you contribute to the company? It is a business after all...