hi, i trained at HAI and found with the two year J1 visa thingy and a instructor rating you could find a job and get those hours, i moved up to canada ( conversion was fairly easy ) and found work, but they do like at least 1000 hours to get your foot in the door, i am now planning on going back to England but not alot of advice.
I agree with getting the IFR rating ( i wish i had done the mountain course as well ) as HAI tend to do it in the R22 so you can get some time there and its only a hop over to the robinson factory which always looks good on the old CV.
Hope this helps,PM me if you think i might be able to help you.
Cheers Lee...