[kbeisel]

Various documents I've read describing absolute skill shortage / LT skill shortage bonus points are vague and confusing, particularly as it relates to its applicability if you do not have either current or offered NZ employment.

I'm wondering if anyone can help me decipher this.

I have 8+ years of experience as an ICT Professional in the USA. I do not have a job or an offer of a job in NZ. I am also not currently employed so that I can enjoy a much needed long vacation after selling my two businesses. So... do I qualify for:

1. 8 years of relevant work experience for 25 points, even though I do not have a job or job offer in that field in NZ?
2. 6 years of experience in an area of absolute skill shortage, even though I have no job or job offer in that field in NZ, for 15 points?
3. 6 years of experience in an area of long term skill shortage, even though I have no job or job offer in that field in NZ, for 15 points?

I know that the bonus points will only be awarded for either absolute or long term skill shortage categories, and not both.

Will I be penalized in any way by not having a current employer? My career overall has been stable but I like switching it up a lot and taking occasional long vacations. :)

Thanks for any insight anyone may have on this.

[BkyMonster]

Yes on all though 2 and 3 are the same thing and will only give you one set of 15 points.
That is, absolute and long term are the same thing so I'm a bit confused as to where you are getting two sets of them as they are different names for the same category (both used by NZIS AFAIK which may be where the duplication comes in). Long term/absolute and immediate skill shortages are different. The Immediate list isn't useful for points in any case.
No worries on not having a current employer. As long as you can prove experience-even self employed experience- you should be fine.

[kbeisel]

I realize now I was getting the terms mixed around. By "long term skills shortage" I actually meant "identified future growth area." Sorry for adding to the confusion. :)

I spent some time going through the operations manual and am finally satisfied that I will be granted 25 points for having 8+ years experience as a "skilled" software engineer, plus 10 points for qualification in an area of absolute skill shortage (software engineer with a bachelor's degree in computer science), plus 15 points for 6+ years of work experience an an area of absolute skill shortage (software engineer).

From what I can tell, I will NOT be awarded any points for anything related to future growth areas, since those require current or offered NZ employment.

Altogether, it looks like I've got 125 points total. With my experience and qualifications in an area of absolute skill shortage, it is looking good. Assuming my passport arrives on schedule, I will have my EOI submitted in time for the May 6 draw.

Now I've got to contact 5 employers from the past 15 years to get them to send me proof of employment letters that will satisfy my CO. I'm wishing I had saved all those pay stubs... figured I wouldn't need pay stubs from 1994.

[JandL]

You don't have to have pay stubs, you can use an offer of employment letter, or contract or worst comes to worst you can contact the tax office and request tax payments from them, quite a few posts about this.

I would advise just filling out a full ITA now, you don't have to pay anything and can miss parts out (ie passport numbers), but it will guide you through what you can and can not claim points for as it changes depending on your previous answers.

[BkyMonster]

Hmm. I know they changed the future growth area point workings within the last year so I don't know for sure how it works now but I seem to recall getting points for OH's qualification in future growth area as well as extra points for mine. No job offers at time of submission here.
125 seems about right with that amount of experience and qualifications.

You don't strictly need all your points if some of them are hard to prove. Look at the recent selections and pare what you are claiming down to meet that but not necessarily exceed if you will have issues getting older work proof (OH is a pack rat and DID have pay stubs--all of them-- from 1994 and before). That is, if 115 will work, claim 115 instead of 125 etc.

[Kalla]

just make sure that you have the correct level/type of qualification in order to claim the bonus points for your work experience. they are very strict with bonus points. if you don't have the corresponding qualification to back up your claim of bonus points for work experience then you won't be able to claim the bonus points.

[Sovenok]

Dear kbeisel

Just in case, if you can prove 6 years experience in LTSSL, and have at least 100 points, you would have more probability of being selected from the pool than those who've got 135 points w/o points claimed for experiences in LTSSL

Best of luck! :cheers

[Ana&Steve]

just make sure that you have the correct level/type of qualification in order to claim the bonus points for your work experience. they are very strict with bonus points. if you don't have the corresponding qualification to back up your claim of bonus points for work experience then you won't be able to claim the bonus points.
Yes, you must have at least a Bachelors in a relevant field to qualify for work experience bonus points in IT.

[WANZLittles]

Now I've got to contact 5 employers from the past 15 years to get them to send me proof of employment letters that will satisfy my CO. I'm wishing I had saved all those pay stubs... figured I wouldn't need pay stubs from 1994.
Contact the unemployeement office or SS Office they can get your work history using your SS number.

[kbeisel]

My EOI was selected today! :)

[victoria24]

yay!

[dusk]

good luck :D

[TheNaylors]

fingers crossed for you! :nice1

[M-Squared]

My EOI was selected today! :)

Sweet as! :nice1

[JandM]

Now it starts... :nice1