Honestly (from my experience) I would just go ahead and get your CFI. I learned so much from teaching and gained hours quickly. You could get lucky and get a job at your hours but if you spend just a couple months at a mom and pop shop and get some quick time and hit 4 digits I think you are more likely to get a job.
Being a CFI let me get my foot in the door to a couple of 135 interviews. Both were impressed by my time spent as a CFI and both offered me a job.
I would also make sure you dont sign anything without reading everything and doing research into a company. Dont just go with the first offer you get. There are plenty of scummy companies out there that love to abuse pilots, but it seems you have come to the right place to dig up dirt on certain operators.
Good luck job hunting!