Don't ever pay for a type rating. I did a few years ago and was promised a job that at the end of the rating (it took 11 months!)didn't happen. Reason being the company had changed their plans. I then took on a job with another carrier on a different type (rating paid by company) and after 6 months with them was called by the first airline but they offered me peanuts.
To this day I have my self-sponsored rating but have never really used it and therefore threw money down the drain.
I know it's tempting when you get promised a job on an A320 subject to having the rating but be patient and persevere because there is someone out there ready to pay for your type rating and give you a job.
The only form of self-sponsorship I feel I can reccommend is that offered by the ATP Academy in Southamton-UK. Once you've got a rating with them you will almost certainly get you a job.