A Few Questions Before Applying

[sand372]

Hi All,
I have a few questions so before i will say what is my situation.
I am under 28.
I am working in israel and making about 23,000 pounds a year.
I have 8 years experince as a Networking/Cisco Engineer.
I have a 2 year degree but i don't think the UK will give me any points for it.
I want to apply for HSMP using my past earnings and experience.

Now My Questions:
1) I know that it's very hard to get 50 points on experience, should i apply to 50 althought 35 is enough to get exactly 65 points will it mean anything ?
2) I didn't work in a lot last year and i am not working for 6 months, i am just above the minimum of 11,800 pounds to get 25 points on past earnings. I am above if i add the unemployemt of about 1500 pounds , should i do that ? will it count as earnings from the last year.
3) Will Certificates from Cisco and Microsoft of english written test be enough to show that i know enough english.


Thanks in advance,
Ziv

[raoms]

looking at your post...one thing is clear that you are good in english.

for under 28 you get 5 pts.
Degree : You try to claim the points for it, if they recognise they will award the points.
experience : if you are working as a specialist (cisco/networks) and at a graduate level. you should get points for it (50 pts
Salary : I don't think they will they will be happy to see that you claimed for unemployment. If you see in their appln. you will find a clause that you will not claim for any govt. benefits. Be careful while claiming the points.. this way.

all the best

cheers...

[sand372]

First of all thanks,
So what you are suggesting about the salary is to wait another month to be way over the minimum salary for the points ?
Becasue right now from the last 6 month of working i am at arround the minimum +-200 pounds depending on which exchange rate you check it.


Ziv

[raoms]

thats some good idea wait for one month salary, or you can do one thing that send the last 11 months now... and later send this months slip. This way you can save some time.
see to it that your income is + 200 GBP rather than -200. Always be in safe position.

[bugmaster]

Sand,
if you are looking to secure points for income I would suggest to wait another month. This way your earnings level when transferred to GBP would not depend on the exchange rate. If you satisfy the earnings criteria there is no reason I can see that you do not claim points.
For your degree I would advice to include it as you work is a graduate level one and even if they do not give you points for the degree they will know that in your country it means something and gives you the possibility to have such a position.
Cheers

[sand372]

My only thought is about saving time.
So do you guys think it will be ok to send 6 months slips and explain that i will send the 7th by fax or something ?

[bugmaster]

To be honest with you I would advise you to wait one month.
Looking at the recent rejection I think the guys in the team are now playing hard. So do not allow any conditionals. Although sending by fax might be ok as your application will still wait.
I would wait. But you decide...

[sand372]

OK i will wait.
Althought i wanted to send it as soon as possible because i looked at the excel file waiting times.
but i will wait
thank you all for your help

Ziv

P.S: What i didn't get an answer about what the english skill.
Would a Cisco + Microsoft certificates i have be enough for english skills proof ?

[bugmaster]

I think you can use these as a supporting evidence. Some document from your company stating that english is official language or from the school stating that studies were in english or you learned english might be a good addition I think.