The problem that newbs are faced with is that you need that magic 50-100 hours of multi a lot sooner than you used to. 5 years ago, that 100 hours was less than 10% of your total time. Now guys are getting hired on with that 100 hours being 20-40% of their total time. Makes a big difference in how you attack the beast. There isn't time to pick up that 100 hours a few hours here and there if you are only going to 500 before the interview.
Now if this is the right approach, well that's another dicussion!