[Tentun]

Hi

Just wondering from all those of you who've done this before me - what sort of proof will NZQA accept re work experience.

From what I gather there are a few of us in the same boat ie. don't want current employer to know about immigration just yet so would rather not ask for a letter - but I do have original contract signed by employer in 2003 and all my P60's since starting work there? Have some pay stubs but not all of them and might be a few gaps.

What do you suggest? Thanks

Kerry

[thezorbster]

We submitted contract of employment showing start date, hrs of work etc, job description and payslips. We also didn't want OH's employer to know our plans but the above seems to cover all the requirements.

[Jenny & Mark]

We submitted a recent payslip and a letter from my employer on letterhead, which seemed to be fine. My original contract and early payslips were lost when our basement apartment flooded.

Mark.

[Juniper]

I'm pretty curious about this topic since my husband is claiming something like 8 years work experience. His first job was an internship, and we really aren't that good about keeping papers around (especially back then). He's had multiple jobs since then, and one of the companies doesn't even exist anymore. I may be able to dig something up, like W4 tax forms, but not sure.

Do you think it's acceptable to just track down people who worked there, and get a letter from them saying "yes he worked there," even if it's not on company letterhead? Does it matter whether it's a supervisor or just a coworker? Or does it have to come from a certain department like human resources?

If you're not sure, perhaps you could link me to some guidelines to read :-)

[saralou]

Do you think it's acceptable to just track down people who worked there, and get a letter from them saying "yes he worked there," even if it's not on company letterhead? Does it matter whether it's a supervisor or just a coworker? Or does it have to come from a certain department like human resources?


Juniper,
my partner is in a similar situation. He is a tiler but just before he finished his apprentiship the company went bust. A friend of ours (who is a visa consultant:raebanana) told us that a letter from someone who worked there at the same time would suffice. The only person we are in touch with is his step-father but apparently this is ok. We have yet to test it but you never know!

Sara

[Angelonthemove]

I am in the middle of our ITA and my OH has same prob not kept anything for last 10 years he is claiiming. We are busy getting references from past co-workers etc. But they do not have headed paper or companies willing to give them any which is what they stipulate. Contract he will not accept as he say's you may not have worked to the end date. (OH is IT contractor)

So we shall wait and see. The only thing so far he has accepted was by his previous employer who we made the headed paper for our mortgage in the UK as she does not acutally have headed paper its all done on computers these days.

I will keep you updates 3rd lot of paperwork going out soon.
Angela

[zardell]

Hi

Just wondering from all those of you who've done this before me - what sort of proof will NZQA accept re work experience.

From what I gather there are a few of us in the same boat ie. don't want current employer to know about immigration just yet so would rather not ask for a letter - but I do have original contract signed by employer in 2003 and all my P60's since starting work there? Have some pay stubs but not all of them and might be a few gaps.

What do you suggest? Thanks

Kerry




This is how it worked for us...............

When we completed our ITA, we were asked to provide proof of hubby's work experience claimed in the form of letters from those past employers stating his position, the dates he worked for them and the hours worked per week.

This we did for previous employers, but hubby didn't want to provide proof of current employment, so he sent a copy of his contract and a current wage slip or two.

Hope this helps a little and remember that NZIS are not ogres.....if you have a query that is personal to you, ask 'em !

Julie

xx

[Juniper]

Good to hear that coworker letters could work :-)

So it is important to have it on company letterhead? Or not so much? Let me know, Angelonthemove, how it goes with you!

[barryp]

I had a bit of an issue with this as well, having worked with edgy tech concerns for a long time. Very few of my prior employers or clients exist anymore, so PROVING most of my work experience is impossible. (Were I superstitious, I'd consider myself a jinx!)

So I submitted a batch of:
- Annual tax statements (USA 1099 and W-2)
- Odd paycheck stubs
- A few personal reference letters from people who had engaged me in the past, mentioning companies + roles + approximate dates that matched those tax statements and paycheck stubs
- Exactly one official corporate reference (on letterhead, job title + salary + employment dates).

This packet of information did not appear to cause a problem, as it documented that I had engaged in the type of work I was claiming experience for over a long period of time. But it did not demonstrate continuous employment, and some of it was downright unverifiable (esp. tax forms from long-defunct dot-bombs).

If you've done extensive work as a consultant for a small number of clients, it should be possible to get some documentation of the roles and timeframes from those firms' purchasing or HR departments. They might not be willing to document the experience adequately, but it'd be a start. 'Unofficial' documentation such as a letter from someone who hired me seemed acceptable if some minimal 'official' documentation accompanied it.

I also included a copy of my (US) Social Security history report, which basically listed taxable earnings by year over my entire career. The report doesn't say anything about who employed me, or in what capacity, so it would not be adequate documentation on its own. But such reports might be helpful supporting documentation.

[Juniper]

Thanks for the testimonial barryp! I think we're in about the same boat...

sidenote, do you spose the whole "we're in the same boat" metaphor goes back to immigrants coming over on the same boat? They might develop a lot in common after that experience together ;-)

[pinkpiggy]

On a further note, we provided NZIS with a work reference (OH works for a huge company and everything is automated and so look like copies when in fact they are originals) and a copy of OH's current contract of employment. When we were assigned our Case Officer a couple of weeks ago she informed us that they needed originals - not copies. Fortunately we have original contract but 2 weeks down the line we are still struggling to get an 'original' work reference. OH has chased HR 3 times as they have to 'force' a letterhead through the system. Sitting here waiting.... very patiently.....for this original to drop on our door mat. :wah