Hello,
Am just a normal pilot, but have been with several companies, none of which would have been interested without the appropriate rating. None ever looked if I passed well or not in flight school.
You are at an age where companies usually expext hours.
You may not get the first job in the UK, but abroad, where nobody is interested in OAT, etc. However, if you have a rating, say A320 or B737, you are more usuable. Many people buy hours on type nowadays, they are cheaper than on a Cessna and certainly more valuable. (Possible in many companies all over the world, including the UK.)
On the other hand, you may get into a sponsoring programme or get a company to give you a contract before you do the rating, however, make sure that you include a possible rating in your financial calculation.
Some people, time permitting get a FAA rating, buy 500 hours, no MCC needed and a 4 hour coversion (to JAA) is still cheaper than a simple rating in the UK. (Frouned upon this site, but those people have jobs if not complete idiots.)
Getting a job is to equal parts skills/knowledge, luck, knowing the right people, hours/rating and luck.
my pennies worth. cheers, IP