Getting a Game Design Job?

I've been looking at the most prominent game design companies out and what their "qualifications" are to join their companies. But what I see the most in all of these qualifications is that their asking that employee has at least done one large project that had hit the market with a good impact. But how is it possible other than complete dumb luck to make a indy game that makes it big, to join a company to make a large game project if they wont employ you if you havn't already!?!