Reference letter clarity needed

[NishaK]

Hello,
I filled out the application for EE and now working on different documentation for ITA. In the reference letter not every company is providing me with the number of hours I worked for them. I have the following Q

1. How important is the number of hours? Considering I will attach my w-2 (IT paper) and offer letter with the reference letter
2. I was also a consultant with a company for a 8 months in between. I was paid hourly (basically 8 hours when it was not a public holiday). This company has not written hours as well. What should be the format for a consulting job? Again will include the offer letter and w-2 (IT paper)
3. Will probably not get a reference letter for my current job role as it will raise eyebrows if I ask them. What should I do to get around this? However, I will attach pay stubs, offer letter for this.


Appreciate your expert inputs.

Thanks!

 

[Que Em]

You have to prove that you meet the minimum requirement for your skilled work experience, i.e.,

If you are applying as a FSW, your work experience must be:
- at least one year (1,560 hours total / 30 hours per week), continuous full-time or an equal amount in part-time,
- paid work (volunteer work, unpaid internships do not count),
- in the same job,
- within the last 10 years, and
- at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2011 National Occupational Classification (NOC).
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who.asp

And if as a CEC;

You must:
- have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the three years before you apply,
- have gained your experience in Canada with the proper authorization,
- meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening),
- plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (for example, on a co-op work term) does not count under this program.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp

In both of the above cases, you need to prove that you have a skilled work experience of at least a minimum of 12 months of full-time or an equal amount in part-time, to be eligible for the program. However, if you are claiming points for more work experience, then the respective duration of skilled work experience needs to be backed up with some sort of evidence/proof, accordingly.

So, if a company cannot provide the exact number of hours per week, you can ask them to mention general working hours and/or shift schedules like if there was just only one shift, then they can mention the start and ending hours, like something as the candidate worked for 5 days a week from 7 am to 2 pm daily. Or, if you have some other supporting document or duty schedules, you can attach such copies highlighting the daily work duration and the number of days worked per week or per month. Any document providing such details could be useful in determining an estimate of the total working hours to assign you points against your skilled work experience.

I guess, depending on your work location and job experience, other candidates who have had similar circumstances can provide more details about what they did or could be used to suffice this requirement.

 

[NishaK]

Yes I am applying as a FSW..

So when we say full-time continuous.. This is my current situation
We are in US and my husband (primary app) has worked from 2013 Jan to 2016 Jul under 2172 - Database Analyst and Database Admin. He just moved to a software developer job. The above statement is a little confusing.. when he is applying for FSW then his 2013-2016 will be his primary occupation correct? and not the job that he is currently performing i.e. software engineer.

Also, when we say in the same job it means the same NOC job or the same company? Because he changed companies within a year (except the last one) but had the same NOC responsibilities 2172..

 

[NishaK]

On a similar lines I had another question

In CRS eligibility calculator we have the following question:
In the last 10 years, how many years of skilled work experience do you have? It must have been continuous, paid, full-time (or an equal amount in part-time), and in only one occupation.

Does one occupation mean the same NOC or same skill type i.e. A in my case.

Following is my husbands US experience
1. Full time summer Internship May 12 - Aug 12, NOC 2172 (this was during my masters course, but summers schools are not open so this FT internship)
2. Jan13 - Jul 16, NOC 2172, but with different companies
3. Jul 16 - Present, Software Engineer

So for NOC 2172 he has around 47 months of experience. And there is no option of 3 to 4. It has 2 to 3 and 4 to 5 and in my application I have marked it as 4 to 5, is this correct?

Should I re submit my application if 4 to 5 is incorrect? Because then I will get less points..

Thanks

 

[Que Em]

In your case, I think your husband seems to have more than 3 years of work experience under the NOC 2172. So he can apply under this NOC.
Same job means work done under the same NOC. Changing companies shouldn't be a problem as long as he has worked under the same NOC and has met the MEC which requires a minimum of 12 months of continuous full-time skilled work, or, an equal amount in part time. By 'continuous', it means that there were no gaps in the skilled work experience for a minimum duration of at least 12 months (in case of full-time work).

Based on the information you have provided, your husband appears to meet MEC and he can apply under NOC 2172. He will probably get CRS points for a skilled work of 3 years or more. Just make sure reference letters have the job titles and dates mentioned correctly with the description matching to NOC 2172. The recent change of job title should not be an issue.

 

[Que Em]

On a similar lines I had another question

In CRS eligibility calculator we have the following question:
In the last 10 years, how many years of skilled work experience do you have? It must have been continuous, paid, full-time (or an equal amount in part-time), and in only one occupation.

Does one occupation mean the same NOC or same skill type i.e. A in my case.

Following is my husbands US experience
1. Full time summer Internship May 12 - Aug 12, NOC 2172 (this was during my masters course, but summers schools are not open so this FT internship)
2. Jan13 - Jul 16, NOC 2172, but with different companies
3. Jul 16 - Present, Software Engineer

So for NOC 2172 he has around 47 months of experience. And there is no option of 3 to 4. It has 2 to 3 and 4 to 5 and in my application I have marked it as 4 to 5, is this correct?

Should I re submit my application if 4 to 5 is incorrect? Because then I will get less points..

Thanks

I guess your best bet is no. 2 (Jan13 - Jul 16, NOC 2172, but with different companies), it will give you maximum points. I am not sure about no. 1.

 

[NishaK]

Sounds good. Thank you so much!