user9999

I am a Computer Specialist. I am about to apply for an evaluation with ACS. I have worked mostly as a systems anaylst since 1991. However, I have had gaps that amount around a year. That will still make 10 years of experience. However, I only have proof in letters from employers for about 4 years. That is because some of my employers are not in business any more (two large banks that were bought out in Venezuela, were I come from and were I studied a College Degree). I came to the US in 1996 with an H1B. Anyhow, the letters I have from my 2 jobs in Venezuela amount about 36 months. Another 12 months with another employer in Venezuela from who I have the full reference. Plus 42 months from my current US employer, of which 24 mos. are as a Project Manager. My problem is that my letters of employement from my Venezuelan employers are not as complete as the ACS requirements state. No description of my duties or specific languages are included. Only my position, salary and dates of employment (they don't even mention I was full time employee - which I was). I am worried ACS will see that as a handicap for my assesment, what do you think? Additionally, i have not been able to obtain 2 more years of proof because my previous employer here in the US does not want to give me a job reference. Since I was under an H1B he dismissed me for trying to get another job. however, I have paystubs and some proof of my position, INS job description etc. Can that be included?

In summary,

- 18 mos. incomplete letter of employment (I have personal reference form the same person that signed the original letter of employment, who now works for another company) from Venezuela
- 18 mos. incomplete letter of employment (I don't have a personal reference from the signer of the letter, though I can get it) from Venezuela
- 12 months full letter of employment from Venezuela (in its way though, I don't have it yet)
- 24 months no letter of employment but with other proof
- 42 months full letter of employment in the US, from which 24 are as a project manager.

They require 48 months, so maybe I am over-worried about this.

Thank you.

ptlabs

> Originally posted by user9999:
> However, I only have proof in letters from employers
> for about 4 years.

From Oct 1, 2002, ACS requires Group A applicants to have proof of IT experience for at least 4 years. The experience requirement for Group B and RPL candidatese is higher at 6 years.

You should check out the Country Education Profile for Venezuela to determine if your degree/college qualification is equivalent to an Australian bachelor's degree with a major in IT. Only such degrees are eligible to be in Group A, unless you have ACS or BCS professional membership.


> Additionally, i have not been able to obtain 2 more years
> of proof because my previous employer here in the US
> does not want to give me a job reference.

You can get an ex-colleague to write a reference letter for you, indicating what your job duties were, and the work relationship the author had with you. You'll need to make a statutory declaration to back up that work relationship as well.


> however, I have paystubs and some proof of my position,
> INS job description etc. Can that be included?

If you present them properly to the ACS, I'm sure they won't harm your case. Write a detailed explanation as to what these documents mean, as you cannot expect the ACS folks to be familiar with non-Australian documents. (The world really doesn't revolve around the U.S.)


> They require 48 months, so maybe I am over-worried about this.

Again, unless you're in Group A, you may need more than 4 years of IT experience. But in your case, it won't matter much if you can somehow prove your 10 years of relevant IT experience.

Hope this helps.


Peter