4 Whites,
Read this thread with some interest, I completed my ATPL/IR in Sept 2001. Needless to say it was very difficult to find a job at the time. I tend to agree about holding out from buying a type rating, peers did but I simply couldn't afford to. I held out, until a right time / right place situation; and I landed a job in the far east in July 2005. All my course-mates who had difficulties getting a job during those dark times are now hanging on in there various outfits today.
Just my experience with holding out and not worrying too much about being "left behind"
2 Bit.