Tom,
yeah I had previous professional work experience not in aviation, "team work" - this has got to help for CRM. I also have a degree. Having both of these things can only help you. You have experienced working situations/scenarios which tells them more about you than if you were fresh out of school, straight into training school and then looking for the job with zero "life skills" that said perhaps some airlines want such people. It depends on the views of the recruiters at the particular airline.
85% is indeed the require average to get OAT to put you forward, you would think that good flying grades would counter this requirement but it does not.
Hope that helps
W.D.