Employment history documents

[kingweasel]

I couldn't find another topic to post this in so I started a new one.

I asked work to give me a letter to show as evidence that I am currently employed incase it's needed at the interview and they asked me what they needed to write. They need to include my salary and job title I guess but what else?

Also, how long should I go back in my employment history for letters etc.? I mean I have experience in a couple of areas, all spread throughout the years. For example accounts, 1 years experience in the past year and two years back in 2001... Should I get a letter from back then too?

Thanks

 

[slackerdemigod]

Education or Work experience?

Do you qualify under the educational category (equivalent of US high school certificate) or will you use the O*Net occupation categories instead?
There is a big difference in the quality of documentation needed for your work experience for these two options.
The educational option is usually much easier to prove. Then you just need enough work experience evidence to reassure the interviewing officer that you will be able to get a job and support yourself and family when you get to the US.

 

[kingweasel]

Do you qualify under the educational category (equivalent of US high school certificate) or will you use the O*Net occupation categories instead?
There is a big difference in the quality of documentation needed for your work experience for these two options.
The educational option is usually much easier to prove. Then you just need enough work experience evidence to reassure the interviewing officer that you will be able to get a job and support yourself and family when you get to the US.

Thanks for the reply.

I qualify under both as far as I can tell. I have my high school education plus a Diploma and a bachelors Degree. I haven't used my college education for employment but have 2+ years experience in another area.
In this case, is it important to have a letter to prove my previous work experience?

 

[herrmeister0159]

Thanks for the reply.

I qualify under both as far as I can tell. I have my high school education plus a Diploma and a bachelors Degree. I haven't used my college education for employment but have 2+ years experience in another area.
In this case, is it important to have a letter to prove my previous work experience?

I qualify under both categories too. Did you write down on form DSP-122 that you have 2 years experience and give job title and company info.
You should have those work certificates only.

 

[kingweasel]

I qualify under both categories too. Did you write down on form DSP-122 that you have 2 years experience and give job title and company info.
You should have those work certificates only.

I didn't because part of this experience wasn't in the last five years and it asked if you had experience for two of the past five years. I did however fill it in as work history in DS-230.

 

[slackerdemigod]

... You should have those work certificates only.

I agree. If you stated something in DS-230, then you should be prepared to back it up with documentation.

It is much easier to qualify with educational requirements - assuming you completed 12 years and finished high school (i.e. ready for university admission - even better if you went to university.) The O*Net job categories are narrow and it might be difficult to prove you match one of the job descriptions.

So make sure you have all your school certificates/examination results. Bring your university transcripts/dipolmas as well although don't assume these can substitute for school records.

If your country's educational system is quite different from the US, and you are concerned CP might query it, then consider getting a US-based education credentials evaluator to formally endorse your high school certificates. (NACES member or similar.)

 

[nanii]

am confused people.i filled the work experience i have and ma educational background.so i should have not included ma work experience n that i have worked at all.i thought they will just look in to the papers n c one have qualified on the educational background n ignore everything else like work experience.its very tricky people.

what evidence on work experience do they need?

 

[slackerdemigod]

You can qualify on education or work experience; you don't need both. If you qualify on education, then make sure you have good documentation on this.

It's a good idea to also have some record of your work experience as the interviewing officer will want to know that you are employable in the US. If you are from a developed economy then they might not ask. If you are from elsewhere they might ask some questions.
Evidence of work experience could be a letter from your employer containing your name (same spelling as in passport, plus ID or passport number is even better), position held, starting date, and finishing date if appropriate. If your company has an HR department then they will be used to producing documents like this. Tax records showing regular income might also help.

The consulate might not ask for this information, but it's safer to be prepared.

Bottom line is you might need to show confidence that you can find work. Documentation can help with this.