Reference Letter

[winter_love]

Below is a list of points that need to be covered in reference letters.

the specific period of your employment with the company,
the positions you have held during the period of employment and the time spent in each position,
your main responsibilities and duties in each position,
your total annual salary plus benefits,
the number of hours worked per week.

I started working for my current employer a few months before graduating. I know the hours worked while studying do not count towards the CEC requirement so I have to start counting from the date I got my PGWP (which was after I received my diploma).

What dates should be on my reference letter? Lets say I got my PGWP on October 1st. Should it say: so and so is a permanent part time employee, and has worked with so and so since xx/xx/11. Since October 1st, 2011, he has worked xxxx amount of paid hours. His hourly rate is $xx.xx.

That's just a rough draft; of course I won't be the one writing it, I just need a general idea of how it should be so I wouldn't send something invalid to CIC.

Annual salary plus benefits? What if I'm on hourly rate? We just write that instead, right? And the part that confuses the most is about weekly hours - my hours would change from week to week as I'm a part timer, and HR is not going to calculate that for me. They can write how many hours I've worked since getting my PGPW, but that's it. I can calculate the number myself for one of the forms, but will that be enough?

And the last thing I want to ask you guys about is regarding the responsibilities and duties. Apparently HR can't help me there, but one of the managers can write a second reference on a company letterhead. Will that work?

 

[jes_ON]

What dates should be on my reference letter? Lets say I got my PGWP on October 1st. Should it say: so and so is a permanent part time employee, and has worked with so and so since xx/xx/11. Since October 1st, 2011, he has worked xxxx amount of paid hours. His hourly rate is $xx.xx.

That is fine, but it also has to state number of hours worked per week.

Annual salary plus benefits? What if I'm on hourly rate?

Hourly does not necessarily mean you don't receive benefits. You probably receive statutory benefits (holidays), paid vacation, possibly supplemental insurance... there could be other benefits.

We just write that instead, right? And the part that confuses the most is about weekly hours - my hours would change from week to week as I'm a part timer, and HR is not going to calculate that for me. They can write how many hours I've worked since getting my PGPW, but that's it. I can calculate the number myself for one of the forms, but will that be enough?

You can write an hourly rate, that's not a problem. But the letter should include this information too - If you know the total number of hours worked, divide that by the number of weeks, and you can say, "Mr. X is a part-time employee working a variable number of hours per week. An average, he works xx hours per week."

And the last thing I want to ask you guys about is regarding the responsibilities and duties. Apparently HR can't help me there, but one of the managers can write a second reference on a company letterhead. Will that work?

It is preferred to get the letter from your direct manager/supervisor.

 

[winter_love]

Hey, thanks for the reply jes_ON.

Just curious though. What difference does knowing what benefits I have make to CIC?

 

[Ottawa10]

I also have a question on reference letters.
Does it written and signed by the same person?
In my case, my manager (immediate boss) is writing a letter. Would it be ok to get that letter signed by HR manager then or should I get my manager to sign it?

 

[Johnny31]

I also have a question on reference letters.
Does it written and signed by the same person?
In my case, my manager (immediate boss) is writing a letter. Would it be ok to get that letter signed by HR manager then or should I get my manager to sign it?

In the letter, does it say who wrote it? I would think if they wrote it, they should sign it

 

[jes_ON]

Just curious though. What difference does knowing what benefits I have make to CIC?

Not much, I don't think. Just more evidence of legitimate employment (for example, self-employed would have no employer-provided benefits) and whether or not your remuneration is inline with typical remuneration for your occupation.

 

[jes_ON]

I also have a question on reference letters.
Does it written and signed by the same person?
In my case, my manager (immediate boss) is writing a letter. Would it be ok to get that letter signed by HR manager then or should I get my manager to sign it?

Manager is better than HR in any case.

 

[Ottawa10]

On the same note, can duties and responsibilities in a reference letter be in point format?

 

[jes_ON]

On the same note, can duties and responsibilities in a reference letter be in point format?

There is no required format.

 

[sara007]

do we have have submit the original copy of reference/experience letter ??

I believe checklist says just copies...

 

[jsm0085]

do we have have submit the original copy of reference/experience letter ??

I believe checklist says just copies...

Well, if you have referred to the checklist and if it says copies, then provide a copy! There is no point asking someone on the form this kind of question when the checklist clearly states what you need.

 

[sara007]

I don't think its the best case to submit copies for reference letter... m nt sure..

seniors.. any views??

 

[jsm0085]

I don't think its the best case to submit copies for reference letter... m nt sure..

seniors.. any views??

Why you want a seniors opinion over CIC is beyond me. It clearly states: -

Copies
(Originals may be requested later in the process by the officer)

So CIC are telling you to submit a copy. If they are concerned about it's authenticity and want to verify it, then they may request the original document. If you want, you can submit the original, but you will not get it back. Either way, it wont cause any problems with your application.

 

[SenoritaBella]

Just to clarify(b/c many students have been rejected over this) - Only work experience obtained after receiving a Canadian education credential is counted towards CEC. That is, after your graduation date and using the PGWP. For example:

PGWP issued - March 8, 2012
Graduation - May 29, 2012 (note that this is the day you receive the degree/diploma NOT when you received confirmation of having completed program requirements)

You start counting skilled work experience(for CEC) from May 30, 2012. If you begin counting earlier, your application will be rejected.

In your case, the PGWP was issued after your graduation, so yes, you start counting from the date you received the PGWP.

I started working for my current employer a few months before graduating. I know the hours worked while studying do not count towards the CEC requirement so I have to start counting from the date I got my PGWP (which was after I received my diploma).

 

[jes_ON]

I don't think its the best case to submit copies for reference letter... m nt sure..

Submit a copy, per instructions.

It's not unheard of for papers to go missing in a visa office Before, if you were required to submit the original and it got lost, you can imagine the trouble it created. It's better this way that the original remains in your hands. But keep it safe, because (as indicated in the document checklist) the VO could ask for it later.