Unable to get reference letter from previous employer

[abbeycrombie]

Hi,

I am in the process of gathering all my documents. I already have my reference letter from my current employer in Canada. However, I am having issues obtaining a reference letter from my previous employer. I was in the United States Marine Corp. My most recent "supervisor" is deployed for the next few months and is unable to do the letter for me. Another supervisor I had previous to that may not be able to do the letter on letterhead and doesn't think he can even sign for it since is no longer on active duty. Is there anything else I can provide to support evidence of my previous work history and my duties?

I have searched through this forum but there haven't been any recent posts about this specifically, but I did see a few people say that the only thing required is the Canadian work history. However, I entered a NOC for my previous work experience outside of Canada and feel that I need to support the choice in NOC by having either having this letter or something else to prove that the NOC is correct. Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[saaz87]

I would guess a letter explaining the situation and some pay slips or bank report showing the salary you received during that period.

 

[joolery]

I have searched through this forum but there haven't been any recent posts about this specifically, but I did see a few people say that the only thing required is the Canadian work history.

This is correct. You don't need a reference letter for employment outside of Canada.

However, I entered a NOC for my previous work experience outside of Canada and feel that I need to support the choice in NOC by having either having this letter or something else to prove that the NOC is correct.

Your NOC must reflect your Canadian work experience, not your previous out-of-Canada experience. (If your application is CEC)

 

[jes_ON]

Is there anything else I can provide to support evidence of my previous work history and my duties?

Do you have your DD14?

 

[abbeycrombie]

Do you have your DD14?

I do have it, yes. Will that be good enough?

 

[jes_ON]

I do have it, yes. Will that be good enough?

First, I guess you should clarify whether you have received an invitation to apply under CEC or FSW. I know you posted in the CEC forum, but people post in the wrong forum all the time : )

Second, if you did get an ITA, you should clarify whether the the military experience you listed contributed to your CRS and enabled you to be selected. (If the experience made no difference to your meeting the CRS score for your draw, then don't worry about it).

Third, if you received an ITA under CEC class, you would have gotten a document check list. Did this checklist specify which letters of employment you need to provide? (Under CEC class, the requirement is to have 1 year of Canadian experience, and you don't NEED to provide proof of foreign work experience. However, you might need the foreign work experience to get a high enough CRS Score for EE, and if you include it on your profile, I believe you do have to provide the letter).

However, I don't know that enlistment in the military would be considered as being in an employer-employee relationship. (If you were a civilian contractor, that would be different). Can't seem to find any definitive statement about this.

So my concern is whether the military experience you listed contributed to your CRS and enabled you to be selected. (If the experience made no difference to your meeting the CRS score for your draw, then don't worry about it).

The DD14 will be useful if the experience you gained in the USMC is related to your employment in Canada. And it would be a useful supporting document if you are able to claim it as work experience, however, it is unlikely to be "enough" on its own. That, accompanied by an unofficial letter from a former supervisor is better than no letter. You would also have to provide a
letter of explanation.