Dear Friends,
In my letters in which I explain “graduate level” work, I make sure that they not only say that, yes, I have a master degree and that a master degree was required for the position, I in addition assure that it is carefully explained why the job requires a master degree, and why it would be inappropriate for someone without a master degree to perform the job. In addition, my “graduate level” letters contain job descriptions which clearly show job activity requiring master level skill /knowledge / expertise.
In short, these are detailed letters.
I decided to have the letters written this way after I carefully gleaned these message boards for information about what others knew about what the HSMP evaluators are looking for or what others found to be successful in the way of strategies.
My assumptions as I construct my HSMP application:
1. I assume that the HSMP evaluators know nothing about my profession, its terminology, its goals, its expectations. So, in some places I explain some of my professional jargon and goals of my profession as it pertains to my application and the issues I am proving ( graduate level, specialist, senior). I do this explaining quite briefly.
2. I assume that they will look at my application with skepticism. So, I make the case for my integrity by addressing issues which could potentially raise questions, such as a name change I underwent years ago; a yearlong gap in my employment history; explanations in some of the “graduate level” letters of why some of the jobs were of short duration (i.e.,some of my jobs were of short duration because of volatility in my area of work; however, the quality of my work is always high and acknowledged as such by my current and former employers). In cases where the former employer is no longer in business, I am providing tax documents which show that the employer did exist at one time, and that I had an employment relationship with them. (I have been successful in tracking down former supervisors from employers that no longer exist, however.)
3. I assume that I must picture myself taking that poor, overworked HSMp evaluator by the hand and walking her through my application, leading her to each section, carefully and as simply as possible making my case for each issue I am striving to prove. So, I am hoping to create a logical progression of ideas, which will be presented in a clear straightforward manner – I want to create a “user friendly” completed application. See Melyni’s post at
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... ght=melyni
For some very helpful ideas about the physical structure of her application – I find this to be very helpful.
4. I assume that that same overworked, tired HSMP evaluator does NOT want to have to contact me for more information! So I try to anticipate what her questions might be (hard to do) and then I strive to proactively answer /address them in the application.
5. Where there are gaps, or issues in my situation not addressed in the application form, I include brief explaining letters. (Why is not there a section in the application form for “Additional Information”, for relevant information or issues not specifically asked for in the application??)
6. I assume that I am going to do my best, that there is only so much I can control. I assume that a response will take a very long time (in fact I am now hoping it will take at least 6-7 months for a response, because I am going to very much need that time to prepare my worldly goods and other aspects of my life for my relocation to the UK. I am basing my plans on the timescales as currently published on the Home Office website, and I do NOT want to be moved ahead of the line for training or any other purpose! I know this sounds crazy, but I will be writing a letter which will go in the very front of my application package, requesting that my application NOT jump the queue!!) Crazy, huh?
There may be more that I am not thinking of right now. HSMP is proving to be the most complex application for anything I have applied for, ever. I have said it before, but it bears repeating: this board has been a treasure trove of information and support. I hope also to be a source of support to others.
I hope this helps!