Errrrr I might just disagree with you guys regarding buying a typerating to get a cr@ppy 6mo contract with some lo-co airline to get 500hrs on type. That`s just rubbish, and it will only come back and smack you in the face through your career. Well, not just you, this comes back to all pilots in terms of constantly deteriorating T&Cs. Fortunately, some employees are saying enough is enough and taking action. Some even move to strike. All this to try and uphold their T&Cs, which are constantly under fire from lo-co airlines who make profits by underbidding each other, and by making pilots undermine each other by "forcing" them to buy ratings and linetraining.
Rant complete though
Here`s what you can do; stay away from the jets for now. At least the airlines. Go for the small operators with twin pistons flying IFR, and perhaps some TP operators. Get some real world experience. Get some command time. All this outweighs the narrow path buying a typerating will get you. The economy is slowly gaining momentum, though I doubt there will be much of hiring amongst the airlines until next spring. In the meantime - again - go for the small operators. IFR and hands on currency is never a bad thing to bring along for future interviews and sim assessments.
So, yes, keep on applying. Just don`t limit yourself by applying where there are no jobs
