In the immigrant visa application process, it’s crucial for employers to craft detailed and specific job descriptions to avoid processing delays and unforeseen costs. Including vague terms or “soft skills” (for instance, strong communication” and “enthusiastic collaborator”) may result in challenges from the government in the form of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or audits.
Although developing a robust job description requires time and effort, the finalized descriptions can become integral to your broader immigration strategy. They not only minimize delays but also enable your company to establish robust roles that can serve as references for future immigration cases. Here are some tips to crafting the best job description for immigration purposes.
Specific Duties
Employers should articulate 5-7 specific job duties that outline precise actions, detail the technical aspects of the position, and maintain clarity. This helps the immigration officer determine if the job qualifies for the sought-after immigration benefit. Employers can refer to resources like the Occupational Outlook Handbook or O*NET Summary Report to understand typical job duties and required degree fields for similar roles.
Education and Experience
Weave education and experience requirements into the job duties. The candidate should naturally emerge as the ideal choice for the job without explicitly stating it. For instance, if the position is for a Marketing Manager, the job duties should specify the marketing-related tasks, making it evident that a degree in marketing or a closely-related field is required.
Skills
Avoid using soft skills such as “energized,” “intellectually curious,” and “imaginative” in job descriptions for employment-based visas. Instead, focus on hard skills when writing the job duties. For example, rather than stating that the Marketing Manager will “work well with a team,” specify the tasks that necessitate collaboration, such as “consulting with product development personnel on product specifications” or “collaborating with developers, advertisers, or production managers to market products or services.”
Here is an example of a strong job description:
