If you are going to do this the self improver route you need, determination, luck, determination, finance, determination, ability, determination, flexibility and determination. I started 21 years ago with a trial lesson and have worked my way through Instructing, Charter, Corporate, IR ratings on AS355 and S76 and currently work as a Line pilot with an English Police Air Support Unit.
Try and get yourself a job with a company that not only does instructing but also Public Transport. Be flexible and accept the fact that the salary you earn initially may be low. If you can cope with that, view it as an apprenticeship and it will pay dividends in the future.
Is there a shortage of Pilots? Yes. You only have to look in the back of Flight International to see that. More than one Police Air Support Unit are looking to recruit new drivers, not to mention a company that provides those same Air Support Units with relief pilotage!