Plenty of us out here in the airlines with dark secrets from our past!
Already some good tips on the thread, but here's my 5p worth.
Have large cheque book to fund which ever route to ATPL.
The 1st pilot job will be the hardest to get -keep aiming some high shots, but take anything to get some hours in.
As BEagle says modern turbos are what you probably need to help you towards a jet cockpit.
That said other nav mates have been taken straight onto A320s in the last year with only approved course hours...but only after 12 months of rejection letters & working in an insurance office to pay bills!
Be prepared for plenty of Nos, No ways, & No replies - you only need 1 Yes.
Network relentlessly, mainstream jobs will always come through a formal process, but airtaxi, corporate work is more likely to be found by word of mouth or literally going & knocking on the door.
Drop me an e if you want any more.
Make your own good luck.
Skid