Applying 4 HSMP - Degree completed after 2 yrs of work exp.

[narveer]

Folks,

I have around 5 years of experience in IT and will be applying for HSMP by Friday. I am 26 and have four year degree (1996 - 2000) in Mechanical from reputed college in India. Problem is I finished studying in Year 2000 but I had 2 back papers which I passed in year 2002. I was working in an IT Company for all this time. I have managed a reference letter from the company.
Do you think Caseworker would not consider my 2 years experience since I completed my degree in year 2002.

Heres the format of the letter:

To Whom It May Concern


Subject: Employment Reference for MR. XXX (Employee No: XXX)

This is to certify that MR. XXX was a permanent employee of XXX from 1 JUNE 2000 – 14 APRIL 2003.He held the position of SOFTWARE ENGINEER in the XXXX. This position requires a Graduate/Engineering Degree.

His day-to-day duties and responsibilities included the following:

General Activities:

1. Working as part of a Web project development team undertaking specific tasks.
2. Perform analysis and design of business and technical requirements.
3. Production of functional and technical design documentation from business requirements.
4. Complete application design, code, unit test and integration test tasks to department standards within agreed time frames.
5. Actively participating in design and code review sessions.
6. Working independently within established procedures and process.
7. Promoting and ensuring use of appropriate techniques, methodologies and tools.
8. Communication of progress and issues relating to tasks assigned to Development Team Leader.

Technical Activities:

1. Applying QA controls and procedures
2. Implementing component tests and carrying out test runs
3. Working with source code management systems, diagnostic tools, debuggers, and code analysers
4. Coding Portal Applications in JSP/Java/Servlet/Struts and Broadvision API's.
5. Integration and Build
6. Maintaining and Enhancing J2EE/Broadvision Web Applications
7. Preparing Test Plans and strategies for testing.
8. Carrying out change requests and bug fixes.

In his capacity, MR. XXXX has performed well in software development activities and his conduct has been good.
You may contact me for any further information that you may require.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,


XXXX
Employer: XXX
Title: HR Manager, XXX


Also I am claiming 50 points for approx 5 years of work ex including 1 year in a specialist role. I am providing organisation chart, award certificates, Skill allowance for specialist role. The Organisation I was working with has more than 10k employees and have offices all over the globe

Heres the letter:

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) Team
Home Office IND
Heavens Walk
Doncaster Carr
Doncaster
DN4 5HZ
UNITED KINGDOM

Subject: Employment Reference for MR. NARVEER SINGH GAHLAN (Employee No: 6874)

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to certify that MR. XXX was a permanent employee of XXXX from 21 APRIL 2003 – 14 JUNE 2004. He held the position of TECHNICAL ASSOCIATE in the XXX Development Team. This position requires a Graduate / Engineering Degree.

During his tenure, XXX was working as BROADVISION SPECIALIST/CONSULTANT, which is a specialist role and requires high level of technical expertise. He was also leading a team of 12 developers for XXX Projects.

MR. GAHLAN was reporting to MRS. XXX (SENIOR PROJECT LEADER, XXX , PUNE) and MR. XXX (PROJECT MANAGER, XXXX, London)

MR. XXX has performed exceptionally and has received CUSTOMER VALUE AWARD from XXX andXXX PERFORMANCE AWARD from XXX.

His day-to-day duties and responsibilities included the following:

Broadvision Specialist Role Activities:

1. Analysing business requirements for changes to XXX web portal.
2. Using defined requirements to engage in Broadvision Specific functional and technical design and/or build activities
3. Delivering information effectively to clients through documentation and presentations
4. Recommending test best practice/options for Broadvision Specific Releases.
5. Recommending Deployments options around XXX releases.
6. Recommendation on appropriate methodology for Broadvision based system development.

Team Lead Activities:

1. Managing a team of 12 Developers
2. Using defined requirements to engage in functional and technical design and/or build activities
3. Leading a team to build/enhance/maintain applications and processes using a structured methodology
4. Assisting in planning a project
5. Supporting pre-sales and sales activities
6. Building and maintaining client relationships
7. Reporting to Management team and client engagement management teams as appropriate
8. Managing the delivery of a significant technology component within a larger systems delivery project
9. Working within a structured environment with a delivery methodology and development tools
10. Progress monitoring and reporting

Technical Activities:

1. Participating in code reviews, identifying risks, and escalating issues when
necessary.
2. Writing implementation specs and Providing technical input and making recommendations
3. Involvement in most stages in the systems delivery lifecycle from requirements definition through to implementation

You may contact me for any further information that you may require.

Thanking you.

With Best Wishes,
For XXXX.

HR, XXX


Experienced Members, Can you please provide your feedback and views. Do I stand a chance?

Thanks in Advance.
Narveer

[narveer]

Guys,

Can you please have a look? I really need your comments and feedbacks.

Cheers
Narveer

[bani]

hi, i think the letters are ok - enough details there. in the first letter, it would be better if it explained why they hired you before you got the formal degree - it could say that your coursework was already finished and you had already acquired the necessary skills so they considered you as a graduate.

also, don't forget to include a heirarchy chart for the specialist position (where you are in the company heirarchy).

[narveer]

Thanks Bani. I have arranged Organisation chart for Specialist position. Do you think it would be a problem If I do not include these comments. My Problem is this company is in Calcutta and It will take atleast a week and may be more to reach me in dublin.

[Saint]

narveer, as per hsmp guidelines, "You do not necessarily have to hold a degree but the post held would normally require one." so you seem to be on the safe side with your detailed letters. However, there is no guarantee to that and I personally would wait 1-2 weeks to include any documentation that would strenghten the case - to save your sleeps.

[narveer]

Thanks Saint. But do you think the documentation is good enough to secure 50 points for specialist role? Also how important is tax returns for income proof? Will it do If i provide Salary Slips, Letter from Employer and Bank Statements to prove my claim?

[Saint]

Well as far as I learned from various posts, points for specialist role is especially tricky and I would be misleading you if I made a comment on this. As for the income proof, slips and bank statements should be ok. ("for example, if you do not submit income tax returns, then wage slips together with bank statements could suffice as proof of earnings.")

[narveer]

Thanks Saint. Yes I have gone through all the posts regarding Specialist Role and have found out that very rarely HSMP Team award 50 Points.

Is there anyone on this forum who has been awarded 50 points for Specialist Role?

[bani]

If you are claiming points for earnings, tax returns are important (from reading posts on this board). However, if it's just as proof of employment, the salary slips and letters would suffice.

Personally, I would wait the 2 weeks to get a new employer letter (even if it means paying more when the HSMP fee goes up). But you may get the work experience points anyway.

Thanks Saint. But do you think the documentation is good enough to secure 50 points for specialist role? Also how important is tax returns for income proof? Will it do If i provide Salary Slips, Letter from Employer and Bank Statements to prove my claim?

[narveer]

Yup bani. Lets see If I can get another letter from them.