Its good advice to meet the requirements and, as rule, don't waffle on about flipping burgers (or that you ride a Harley). Here is an
'exception that proves the rule'.
From the link,
A first officer should have 1500 hrs and 500 in multiengine jets. These minimums are not absolute—for Kostas, finding a candidate whose ethics and personality fit the department is more important than total hours in a log book.
"We can teach people to fly our way," he says. "It's much harder to teach someone the respect and caring attitude they need to succeed in this flight department."