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Reference Letter for current job

TLOU

Hero Member
Dec 21, 2014
409
47
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App. Filed.......
07-02-2017
Hi,

I was wondering how do you guys request a reference letter for your current job? I am currently working full time and also about to submit my documents for OOPNP. How shall I request this letter to my current employer without making things awkward? (As obviously the employer will know I intend to quit the job at some point)
 

Madhuri Mah

Star Member
Jul 12, 2015
82
11
Sailing in the same boat. All documents are ready except for for the reference letter for current job..
I dont want my employer to know about my plans, being appraisal time, this will hugely affect my career. My supervisor, who is my friend knows about this but i think the best bet is to get a letter on company letter head. She can give me reference letter in a mail (mail id and company name are different), Designation not mentioned on company ID also. Can someone suggest an alternative?
 

JoacRy

Champion Member
Oct 23, 2015
2,064
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No awkwardness required. Approach this in a positive way. You would have had a discussion with your employer at interview stage informing them of your intent to live permanently in Canada. Just inform them you need a letter documenting your experience to date. The employer will actually see this as a good thing because unlike those who are going the LMIA path (where the burden falls on the employer), you are taking the PNP path (where the burden falls on you).

Have an honest conversation and explain to your employer that there will be a mutual future economic benefit:

Employer: Does not need to re-advertise to find a new employee

You: Achieve your PR goal and have job security

You can't be more genuine than this.
 

TLOU

Hero Member
Dec 21, 2014
409
47
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07-02-2017
JoacRy said:
No awkwardness required. Approach this in a positive way. You would have had a discussion with your employer at interview stage informing them of your intent to live permanently in Canada. Just inform them you need a letter documenting your experience to date. The employer will actually see this as a good thing because unlike those who are going the LMIA path (where the burden falls on the employer), you are taking the PNP path (where the burden falls on you).

Have an honest conversation and explain to your employer that there will be a mutual future economic benefit:

Employer: Does not need to re-advertise to find a new employee

You: Achieve your PR goal and have job security

You can't be more genuine than this.
I do agree with you about approaching this in a positive way, however I am not working in Canada at the moment. I'm a foreign skilled worker. In the application guide it mentions:

Supporting documents (FSWP and CEC)
You must submit the following documents to prove your work experience if you choose to be assessed against FSWP criteria or CEC criteria:
 Copy of current résumé indicating relevant work experience.
 Copies of employment reference letters from previous/current employers for
all periods of work stated in the application that meet the following requirements:
o Printed on company letterhead and identify company address,
telephone/fax numbers, email, and website addresses;
o Identify the responsible Officer/Supervisor and include his/her signature; o Stamped with the company’s corporate seal (if applicable); AND
o Specify:

 Your employment period;
 Your positions held, duties and responsibilities during the employment
period for each position, and the time spent in each position (if
applicable);
 Your total annual salary plus benefits;
 Number of hours worked per week; and
 Any extended periods of leave (i.e., more than one month).
Additional supporting documents may include:
 Copy of work contracts; and
 Copy of pay stubs.

My employment contract has all the in-depth details about my duties, roles, salary and starting date of the employment. I also have my payslips and bank statements to prove that I was being paid up til now. Wouldn't that be enough? I could use these as my supporting documents instead of a reference letter from my current employer?
 

Asivad Anac

VIP Member
May 27, 2015
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TLOU said:
My employment contract has all the in-depth details about my duties, roles, salary and starting date of the employment. I also have my payslips and bank statements to prove that I was being paid up til now. Wouldn't that be enough? I could use these as my supporting documents instead of a reference letter from my current employer?
If it has all those details, Yes. It should be on the organization's letterhead and signed by authorized signatory. The duties should match most of the main duties of your chosen NOC.
 

TLOU

Hero Member
Dec 21, 2014
409
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App. Filed.......
07-02-2017
Asivad Anac said:
If it has all those details, Yes. It should be on the organization's letterhead and signed by authorized signatory. The duties should match most of the main duties of your chosen NOC.
Thanks for your reply, I am feeling more confident now. As I don't see why everything has to be strictly on the reference letter when my supporting documents can prove those in-depth details.
 

cjs

Hero Member
Nov 13, 2015
780
40
Do not worry, just go to HR and tell them your plans to move to Canada. They ll not mind it. Tell them your are just applying, there are very slim chances that you ll get through. Just make a story around it and get the documents u require.
 

NeelaR

Star Member
May 22, 2015
72
1
Hi guys,

I'm requesting your advice as you're all very experienced in the immigration process.

My boss is refusing to include duties/responsibilities in the reference letter. Everything else will be given though in the standard HR letter. I have pushed them enough and now I'm worried I might put my current job in jeopardy!! I cannot do anything more, other than attaching the email where HR has stated that she cannot include duties/responsibilities as the company's global guideline does not allow her to add that. Please please let me know if this is a sure shot case for rejection of PR. I'm the main applicant!! Please tell me any alternatives I could try!! I've not received any provincial nomination. Thanks a ton!!!

TimeLine:
EE profile created - 3rd August 2015
IELTS 2nd attempt - 5th December 2015
ITA received - 18th December 2015 (CRS 475)
Medicals done - 7th January 2015 (don't know if I can see the update that CIC has received my results? Please help here too)
Collecting documents in progress.....
Deadline for accepting ITA by submitting docs - 16th Feb 2016
 

JoacRy

Champion Member
Oct 23, 2015
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NeelaR said:
Hi guys,

I'm requesting your advice as you're all very experienced in the immigration process.

My boss is refusing to include duties/responsibilities in the reference letter. Everything else will be given though in the standard HR letter. I have pushed them enough and now I'm worried I might put my current job in jeopardy!! I cannot do anything more, other than attaching the email where HR has stated that she cannot include duties/responsibilities as the company's global guideline does not allow her to add that. Please please let me know if this is a sure shot case for rejection of PR. I'm the main applicant!! Please tell me any alternatives I could try!! I've not received any provincial nomination. Thanks a ton!!!

TimeLine:
EE profile created - 3rd August 2015
IELTS 2nd attempt - 5th December 2015
ITA received - 18th December 2015 (CRS 475)
Medicals done - 7th January 2015 (don't know if I can see the update that CIC has received my results? Please help here too)
Collecting documents in progress.....
Deadline for accepting ITA by submitting docs - 16th Feb 2016
This is not a sure case of Rejection but CIC's preferred format is to state the duties and responsibilities on company letterhead signed by an organizational representative. Other aleternatives which have been suggested in the past (but are not guaranteed to work) for job duties include:

1) Your contract letter. These should describe your job duties in detail
2) The job advertisement
3) Can you get a colleague to sign a letter stating the CIC requirements on company letterhead?

Let me know if you need anymore help.
 

AnnaBG

Hero Member
Nov 25, 2015
310
10
Job Offer........
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Is there an option to write it yourself in the format you need and then give it to him to sign?
I did so with one of mine. Then only gave it to him to sign and stamp.
 

JoacRy

Champion Member
Oct 23, 2015
2,064
159
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AnnaBG said:
Is there an option to write it yourself in the format you need and then give it to him to sign?
I did so with one of mine. Then only gave it to him to sign and stamp.
This is a risky option as by signing the document, the signatory has taken on the pen name of the writer of the document. Rather than going to re-do the letter I suggest that at the time you submit, you keep the signatory aware of all the details to jog his memory. CIC have every right to call that person to check the letter's authenticity.
 

NeelaR

Star Member
May 22, 2015
72
1
JoacRy said:
This is a risky option as by signing the document, the signatory has taken on the pen name of the writer of the document. Rather than going to re-do the letter I suggest that at the time you submit, you keep the signatory aware of all the details to jog his memory. CIC have every right to call that person to check the letter's authenticity.
Actually, I did try AnnaBG's method but my boss wants to know every single detail as to why I need this letter. I told him I've applied for Canadian Visa but didnt mention PR (Dont want to reveal too soon) . Other options suggested by you won't work as my appointment letter doesn't mention job duties (only mentions job title and timings, rules/policies, benefits, etc). I can hunt for the job advertisement but thats from 6 years ago. Also, I wonder how do I prove that I'm performing that role as per the advertisment? <facepalm> :(
 

TLOU

Hero Member
Dec 21, 2014
409
47
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07-02-2017
I'm thinking of providing signed copies of my payslips + bank statements + work contract. That's it. I do hope this would be enough for proof of current employment as why the hell would I ask for a reference letter from a current employer? Things will get too awkward.
 

JoacRy

Champion Member
Oct 23, 2015
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159
Job Offer........
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TLOU said:
I'm thinking of providing signed copies of my payslips + bank statements + work contract. That's it. I do hope this would be enough for proof of current employment as why the hell would I ask for a reference letter from a current employer? Things will get too awkward.
That seems fine to me. Just an FYI I have been on this forum since the beginning of October 2015 and there have been people who have reported that they were rejected by not providing a letter from employer with CIC requirements.

Im doing a similar thing to you in one of my cases but its because my employer closed down his business, went into retirement over 8 years ago. He also does not have a LinkedIn profile.

Just thought I'd inform you. Good luck.