How To Negotiate Your Salary

The process of job hunting is full of not just excitement but also anxiety. Preparing a resume, applying for posts, getting ready for interviews, facing the interviewer, waiting for responses and making a decision gets tiring, to say the least. And once you get a job offer, what is most difficult is negotiating the salary. Salary and compensation is that part of the job negotiation that can effectively make or break a deal.

Once a company has selected you, it will contact you for the vacant position. It is generally at this time that the salary is negotiated. Before agreeing to any offered salary, remember that the company requires your skills and finds you competent enough for that job. If you have applied for a new job while already being employed, you would obviously seek higher wages, a better working environment, and an overall upgrade in all aspects of your career.

It is generally a mistake to not ask about your salary up front. It is generally during the interview that the employer will ask you about your salary expectations. Research the market properly and find out what is the standard salary for that kind of profile. Generally, your experience and the standard of the company will also determine the salary offered to you. When asked directly, this can be a difficult question to answer, but remain confident and say what you really expect based on reason and logic.

If you come prepared for such a question, it will be better and you wouldn’t look surprised when the question is popped to you. If your interview has gone well so far, you will be confident enough and upbeat when this question is asked. It is always safe to ask for a base-level salary, and telling the employer that based on your performance you expect a review of your performance in two months or 6 months. This way, the employer will know that you are not unrealistic in your salary demands and also confident of your own potential.

However, if the salary offered is way below your expectations, tell the employer in no unclear terms that you need time to think about it. Ask them for some time and then don’t call up the employer. If they are in dire need, they will call you up themselves and hire you on your terms. If you are appearing for more than one interview at a time, don’t be afraid to let the interviewer know this. Tell them that you have other good offers in hand too and your final decision will only be taken after weighing all the options that you have in hand. Don’t make false claims here, bring it up only if it’s true.

Lastly, remember that if you are out of job then may be it is more important to have a job first so go ahead and accept that offer even if the salary offered is a little lower than what you expected. Once you have some experience added to your profile, you will always be able to negotiate a higher salary in your next job. So, be realistic and be aware of your market value. This is what will get you the salary that you deserve.

"0"SIZE ఇన్ GALS

The global obsession with losing weight was never more apparent as it is this week. A clutch of new studies showed how some of the world's best research centres are spending millions in the hunt for the elusive no-pain, no-sweat weight-reduction pill. The Excercise పిల్ల

The most different slimming solution came from scientists from the Harvard Medical School, which reported that they were a close to developing a pill to help people exercise. Their study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, showed that physical activity in very overweight mice doubled when a hormone called leptin was switched on in their brain. Leptin was identified 15 years ago as a hormone that curbed appetite and led to weight loss. Harvard scientists now hope to build on the research to create pills to help people get more active without realising it. Next came the July 13 study in Nature Chemical Biology, which reported how new fat-busting pill led fat mice losing one-fourth of their body weight. The drug reduced the body weight of mice by a quarter and fat mass by 42 per cent after a week, with follow-up experiments over the month showing even more dramatic loss of up to 62.9 per cent! The fat-బుర్నేర్స్.

There's more. On July 17, the journal Diabetes reported that a pill derived from naringenin, which gives grapefuit its bitter flavour, caused weight loss by prodding the liver to burn fat after a meal instead of storing it. Simply put, the pill causes weight loss without a change in diet. The bad news is that these wonder drugs are still in the pipeline and will take some years to hit the chemists.

Till then, you have to fall back on the tried-and-tested weight-loss mantra of diet and exercise.For a one kilogram loss in a week, you have to survive on a near-starvation diet of 400 calories (one masala dosa or one large McDonald's Fries) a day if you are a sedentary women (recommended intake is 1,500 calories a day) and 700 calories if you are a man (recommended intake is 1,800). Only aerobic exercise and weight training, not yoga - can help you lose weight and keep it off.

King of Pop Michael Jackson dies at 50

Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50.

Jackson was pronounced dead at about 2:26 p.m. PDT (2126 GMT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.

Jackson's sudden death had been reported earlier by U.S. media, which said he was taken ill at his home and rushed to the hospital by paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived.

Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the वर्ल्ड।

He transformed music videos and his lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart", his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."

Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.

Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

SOLD-OUT SHOWS

Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months. The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.

"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy in a statement.

"He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim."

There were concerns about Jackson's health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.

Outside the hospital in Los Angeles about 200 fans and reporters gathered on Thursday, waiting for confirmation of Jackson's death or condition.

Some fans were crying and hugging each other, and others were climbing atop fences to get a better look at a microphone stand where a news conference was supposed to take place.

"I hope he's gone to God, and I hope that he's free of all the troubles he's been plagued with," Tonya Blazer, 50, who said she had been a fan going back more than four decades to his days as a child star.

"I just feel like I'm paying tribute to him," said Dawn Burgess, 42, a fan who said she had posters of Michael pinned to her bedroom wall when she was a child.

CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR

Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys -- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael -- first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.

Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released "Thriller" in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.

The next year, he unveiled his signature "moonwalk" dance move while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.

In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.

Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.

New Yorkers and tourists in the city's Times Square were shocked at the news of Jackson's death.

"I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really, really sad," said Nicole Smith, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, New York, in Times Square. "My mother was a fan. I listened to his music."

"I'm shocked. I thought someone was lying to me when I first heard it. I was a fan from when he was a little boy and then he got weird," said Sue Sheider, 51, a teacher from Long Island.

(Additional Reporting by நகர்சுன Redy

Mahabalipuram

US H1B REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. Documents to be sent by U.S Employer.
   I – 797 à The original Notice of Approval
   I – 129 à The Complete I – 129 petition submitted Employer including Labour Condition Application.
   L C A (Labour Certification Approval)
   Appointment Letter by Employer
   a. Copy of the complete petition filed with INS.
   Copy of letter to the Dept of Justice
   Copy of letter to the Consular Journal of Indian Consulate.
   Copy of Official Evaluation Of Degrees
   Letter From Petitioning Employer Confirming Employers intent to hire the Applicant.
   Short description of job Duties with Sponsoring US Company
   a. If at Client place - Client invitation letter, Technical description of the project Document, Itenary of services (3 Years Dates), client photos and client & employer agreement, Contract of end client and client,Notarised from client, Role and Responsibilities, If its Third party names and contact information for that party and client.
   b. If it is Inhouse Project - Market Reasearch of the product,Employer Marketing Analysis Document, Technical description of the project Document, Itenary of services (3 Years Dates), Cost of the Project, Modules, Time Line, Current Phase/Status of Project, Applicant Role and Responsibilities, List of petetioners Active Projects, Product Broucher, If possible live demo of prototype, Purchase Order.
   US company Information : Photographs of Inside and Outside of Companys Offices, Prospectus, Brouchers, Annual reports, Tax returns papers 3 years, Year Company was Established, Current Number of Employees in US Company, Companies gross Annual Income, Employer support letter, Some Information about the Nature of the employers Business, Building Lease agreement Document, w2 forms.
   Copy of interview appointment letter which you get at the time of setting appointment with VFS.
   Including Full Details Of why it is a “Speciality” Occupation.
   If the visa applicant is the sole employee of the company in the United States, the latest copy of the company's FICA and IRS forms must be submitted along with the applicant's letter of explanation. Make certain that you include the company's fax number.
   A comprehensive letter from the applicant's employer addressed to the Visa Office, Department of State explaining the need for the visa. The covering letter must identify the applicant, describe in detail the nature and function of the applicant's position and also contain information on the nature of the employer's business. The letter must be written on the letterhead of the current employer and signed by a representative of the company. The Visa Office will not accept letters signed by the visa applicant.
   Beyond the applicant's intended.
   If occupation requires licensure in the US, copy of current US License or Temperory License.
   Documents by Current Employer & Past Employers.
   Original appointment letters from all your employers and relieving/experience letters from your previous employer
   Names and Current Phone Numbers of Personnel managers from Present & Past Employer.
   Photographs of the inside and outside of your current or most recent place of work.
   Names and Contact Info of 2 Co-workers from Present & Past Employer.
   Company Profile, Brouchere, Annual Reports of Present & Past Employers.
   Number of Employees (Present & Past).
   Year Company was Established (Present & Past).
   Latest Pay slips from Recent place of Employment.
   Company’s Gross Annual Income (Present & Past), Financial Statement.
   Your identity card and business / visiting card of your current employer.
   Documents, which prove your work, experience.
   
   Required Documets from Applicant.
   All Educational Certificates (Original & 1 Copy)
   All Transcripts (Originals and 1 Copy).
   Last Six Months Bank Statements.
   Income tax returns and Form 16.
   Clear Copy Of Passport (All Pages Including Blank, Front And Back Covers)
   Complete CV and Cover Letter describing Current job Duties in Detail.
   3 Passport Size Color Photos. (37X37mm)
   Additional Supporting Certifications (Original & 1 Copy)
   Completed non immigration visa application form DS-156, DS-157, Interview Letter, Bank DD’s
   Application visa fee original receipt issued by HDFC bank.( If you are applying in India)
   
   
   Dos and Don’t at the time of the Visa Interviews
   · Dress properly for the Visa interview
   · Answer all questions confidently
   · Read your entire visa documentation before you go for the interview
   · Get all information about the organization which applied for your work permit. Get the names of the key officers in the organization
   · Get to understand clearly the areas of work of your prospective employer and be prepared to explain how your skills are relevant to the requirements of the employer
   · Find out which medical plans are offered by your employers
   · If asked about your place of work, please repeat faithfully what is said in your h1 petition
   · Donot volunteer information or keep on talking. Answer only to the point.
   · Please donot say anything about green card or anything to the effect that you would want to be in the USA permanently.
   · Go sufficiently early for the interview to avoid the queues
   NOTE:
   v Please also understand that the US Consulate tries to find out whether your employer is bodyshopper or a general development company.
   v Please also ask you employer to submit brochures/ documents to show that they are a development company in US and they need you to do development work on site.
   v The Consulate will not accept documents received directly from the company; applicants must bring their own documents. If you are the beneficiary of a Blanket L petition, you must submit 3 additional copies of the I-797 and the I-129 forms with your application.
   
   WHY FAILURE
   1. Failure To Carry Adequate Documents For Stamping: A large number of visas are rejected on account of the candidates’ ignorance of the accompanying documents he/she needs to carry for stamping the H-1B visa. A list of the important documents are:
   · Completed visa application form available at the US Embassy or Consulate.
   · Passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months.
   · Beyond the applicant's intended.
   · One colored photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square (37 x 37mm).
   · Original H1 visa approval, Form I-797.
   · Copy of the complete petition filed with INS.
   · Degree certificates issued by the Universities.
   · Original appointment letters from all your employers and relieving/experience letters from your previous employer.
   · Last salary slip. Income tax returns and Form 16. Your identity card and business / visiting card of your current employer. Documents, which prove your work, experience.
   · Technical description of the project, market analysis, itinerary of services
   Many candidates fail to carry the last pay slip, identity card or the appointment letter. The Consulate does not operate on trust and needs tangible documents to establish proof of identity and authenticity of information. (See Stamping Requirements) A failure to carry these documents could send a wrong signal to the Consular officer that you have something to hide.
   2. Failure To Review Documents: Before stepping into the Consulate office, step into the Consular officer’s shoes and thoroughly review documents to be presented as evidence of proof of identity. Consider this: Parvati M lost her chance of getting a visa because her name was spelt as Parvathi M on two vital documents. Although this particular reason for rejection could be termed an aberration rather than the rule, a large number of visas are rejected on account of errors which appear minor to the candidate but are not necessarily so in the eyes of the Consulate.
   3. Qualification Failure: The H-1B visa is available only to professionals who are engaged in specialty occupation. The INS defines the term professional as: a) you do work that requires a Bachelor’s degree in a specific field and b) you have a degree which is the equivalent of an American university degree. If you do not possess a degree in your field you should have a minimum of three-year work experience. If you do not possess the requisite educational qualification or work experience, the Consulate has the right to disqualify your petition.
   4. Failure To Answer Questions Briefly: Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act states: "Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status." This means that before your visa is approved, you must prove to the Consulate that you will return to your country. Most candidates fail to realise that the law places the burden of proof on the candidate and fail to answer questions on future plans correctly.On a number of occasions, the US Consulate rejects visas because candidates do not answer questions posed by officer succinctly and accurately. The most common question asked by the Consular officer is: "Do you intend to permanently immigrate to the US? Your answer should be a clear and unhesitant No. Beware of questions such as: "What if the employer sponsors your green card or has the employer applied for your green card’ must be answered in the negative. Answers such as "I will think about it then" or "if circumstances change I may become a resident" will result in immediate rejection of the your visa application because it indicates that you are thinking of using the H-1B route to permanently immigrate to the US. Even if you are not averse to applying for a green card later, please do not confide in the Consular officer.Many applicants lose their visa because they literally "think" too much. The innocuous sounding phrase "I think" has cost more visas than any other phrase. The US Consulate is not against the reasoning faculty but does not want the candidates to think that the company is in Provo-Utah. The phrase I think does not prove your mental agility but reveals that you are uncertain and unsure of the answer.
   5. Failure To Gather Adequate Information About Sponsor: The Consulate will check on your sponsor to ensure it is not being duped. The Consulate expects the candidate to have basic information about the company, which has applied for the visa. Many visa applicants look blankly at the Consular officer on being asked: How many branch offices does the company have in the US, in which US State does the company have its head quarters, who is the Director of the company, how many employees does the company employ? Answer these questions accurately.
   6. Do Not Badmouth The Company: Do not badmouth the employer and confide in the Consular officer that you are dissatisfied with the salary or the medical package or that you have entered into some kind of private agreement with your employer. The only corrective action the Consulate will take is to cancel the application.
   7. Failure To Understand The Salary Package: The Consular officer may question you on the last salary you were drawing. Many candidates fail to understand the salary package correctly. Your salary does not merely include the take home pay but also benefits such as PF, medical allowance etc. The Consular officer will perceive your ignorance as misrepresentation of facts and deny the visa.
   8. The Multiple H-1B Visa Factor: Often, IT professionals forget that negotiating for the H-1B visa with various companies is not the same as simultaneously negotiating for a job with various companies in India. If two or more companies file for H-1B papers at the same time on your behalf, and you conceal this information from the Consulate; you could be permanently debarred from entering the US. The INS maintains computerised records of all applications. A simple check would reveal that you have forwarded incorrect information and attempted to defraud the Consulate by misrepresenting your case.
   9. Company's Sins Of Omission And Commission: The INS wants concrete proof that the sponsor has the financial muscle to pay worker’s salaries. If a particular H-1B candidate’s sponsor has committed the following sins of omission and commission, the visa petition will be rejected:
   · The company has defaulted on tax payments.
   · The company does not have an IRS number.
   · The company is a start-up and does not have a single year’s balance sheet to prove its Financial muscle to pay workers. There is no minimum business volume or number of US employees required by law, but the sponsor must be able to prove that he can support the petition. If you are being sponsored by a start-up, the company must show contracts or letters regarding future business to be contracted by the candidate.
   
   
   SOME H1B Querys
   v A detailed description of the petitioners needs for this position and how benificiary worker intends to address him. Technical specification, timeline, current status, no. of emplyees, worksite location, market analysis document
   v A list of all petitioner's active projects. Identify the client and point of contact with the client, including a phone number and email address for that person. If the contract with the client is held by a third party, provide names and contact information for that party as well.
   v A signed letter from the beneficiary's prospective supervisor at the end client location to which he/she will be assigned, stating the client's intention to make use of the beneficiary's services and explaining the nature and duration of the project to which he/she will assigned.
   ****************************************************************************************
   v A list of all of the petitioner's active projects. Identify the client and point of contact with the client including a phone number and e-mail address for that person. If the contract with the client is held by a third party, provide names and contact information for that party as well. Do not send a batch of contracts in lieu of this documentary requirement.
   v A detailed and specific description of the internal development project to which the beneficiary will be assigned include the complete technical description of the project, timeline, current status, number of employees assigned to it, location of the worksite and a marketing analysis for the final product.
   *************************************************************************************
   v A detailed description of the petitioners needs for this position and how benificiary worker intends to address him.
   v A list of all petitioner's active projects. Identify the client and point of contact with the client, including a phone number and email address for that person. If the contract with the client is held by a third party, provide names and contact information for that party as well.
   v A signed letter from the beneficiary's prospective supervisor at the end client location to which he/she will be assigned, stating the client's intention to make use of the beneficiary's services and explaining the nature and duration of the project to which he/she will assigned.
   *************************************************************************************
   v A detailed and specific description of the internal development project to which the beneficiary will be assigned. Include a complete technical description of the project, timeline, current status,number of employees assigned to it, location of the worksite, and a marketing analysis for the final product.
   v A complete itinerary of services or engagements specifying the dates of each service or engagement, the names and addresses of agent, the names and addresses of the actual employers, and the names and addresses of the establishment, venues, or locations where the services will be performed
   *************************************************************************************
   
   v A signed letter from the beneficiary's prospective supervisor at the end client location to which he/she will be assigned, stating the client's intention to make use of the beneficiary's services and explaining the nature and duration of the project to which he/she will be assigned. A detailed and specific description of the internal development project to which the beneficiary will be assigned. Include a complete technical description of the project, timeline, current status, number of employees assigned to it, location of the worksite, and a marketing analysis for the final product.
   v 2. A complete itinerary of services or engagements specifying the dates of each service or engagement, the names and addresses of agent, the names and addresses of the actual employers, and the names and addresses of the establishment, venues, or locations where the services will be performed.
   Preparation
   · I got a letter from client, which stated their need for requiring good no. of resources from my employer for their oracle based ERP application project.
   · For item 2 :My employer just wrote a letter saying that we wish to utilize beneficiary for entire length of H1B, and can't exactly provide the dates of engagement and services.The petitioner confirms that beneficiary shall remain the employer at all times and shall be paying the applicant’s salary in terms of the LCA filed along with the petition.
   ***************************************************************************************
   Main Check List
   1)A list of all of the petitioner's active projects. Identify the client and point of contact with the client, including a phone number and email address for that person. If the contract with the client is held by third party, provide names and contact information for that party as well. Do not send a batch of contracts in lieu of this documentary requirement.
   2)A signed letter from the beneficiary's prospective supervisor at the end client location to which he/she will be assigned, stating the client's intention to make use of the beneficiary's services and explaining the nature and duration of the project to which he/she will be assigned.
   3) A detailed and specific description of the internal development project to which the beneficiary will be assigned. Include a complete technical description of the project, timeline, current status, number of employees assigned to it, location of the worksite, and a marketing analysis for the final product.
   4) A complete itinerary of services or engagements specifying the dates of each service or engagement, the names and addresses of agent, the names and addresses of the actual employers, and the names and addresses of the establishment, venues, or locations where the services will be performed.
   
   
   
   
   Documents needed in this Order:-
   Interview appointment letter
   HDFC receipt given for booking visa appointment.(4600Rs + 276 Rs) (If its thru VFS).
   A DD from national or international bank in favour of American consulate General, Chennai for Rs 2300.
   DS-156 (A 50mm by 50mm size photo of yours stuck and form should be signed at the back.)
   DS-157
   I-797, H1B Approval notice (Notice of Action) issued by Immigration and naturalization service.
   I-129 form, petition for a nonimmigrant worker.
   H1B Data collection and filing fee exemption supplement.
   Labor condition application for H1B nonimmigrants (Issued by US department of Labor)
   A letter from your company to US Consulate requesting for issuing a H1B visa to you.
   Offer letter & employment agreement from your company.
   Financial documents of your company (Record of federal tax liability) for atleast 6 months and (Statement of account)
   Company profile
   Details of the project (Timelines, phases and activities, tentative schedule and technology used in each phase), Its better if you show that project is atleast 1 yr.
   Current status of the project
   Number of people assigned to the project (Title, experience, # of resources)
   i. Eg:- Manager, 8 yrs, 1
   ii. Programmers, 4yrs, 6
   iii. Testers, 3yrs, 2 etc etc
   Location Information of the work site.
   Client and contact information.
   If you are mentioning inhouse product, then above details would be your companies address itself.
   If you are mentioning clients, then client contract with your company is needed.
   Description(Role played by you in this project, technical skills, experience) and responsibilities of benificiery worker(Youself) in this project.
   Complete product description prepared by your company incase of inhouse project.
   Market analysis is also required in case of inhouse product.
   Atleast 15 photos of your company covering both inside and outside. (Ask your employer to take photos on some holiday when people are not working, but it should cover whole office).
   Degree certificates along with marks sheets till 10th class and one set of xerox copy.
   Any other certificates like computer courses, certifications etc.
   Offer letters and Experience certificates from your previous employers.
   
   Please pin all the above documents saperately and place them in the same order as mentioned above in your folder so that you wont get confused when asked for some document.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   SOME ONE CHECK LIST
   Passport
   Experience Letters of previous employers
   Personal Manager Contact numbers of all Organization
   Latest Resume
   Present company Color Xerox of ID card
   Educational Certificates including Mark sheet
   3 Months Payslips
   6 months Bank Statements where salary is credited
   4 photos ( 50mm X 50mm size)
   Web appointment Printout
   I-797 -- the original notice of approval
   I-129 petition / Labor Condition Application
   US Company Offer letter
   US company information: photographs of the inside and outside of the company's offices (provided by the employer), prospectus, brochures, and annual report , Web Pages
   Names and contact information of two co-workers from your current or most recent place of employment
   Names and contact information of two co-workers from past jobs
   A fully completed and signed Visa Application Form - DS-156
   Supplemental Application Form DS-157
   Tax returns for last three years
   I-94
   PAN Card
   Latest Utility Bills
   Company Client List & Details
   TTS Service Charge DD - 441
   Visa Application Fees - 4400
   Visa Issuance Fees - 2200
   Address in US -Where u will stay
   Evaluation of Academic Credentials
   I907 (Premium Processing)
   G28 (Notice of Entry of appearance as attorney or representative)
   Copy of the Letter from the Attorney stating the Filing Fees Details, that was submitted to the INS.
   Employers Recommendation Letter to the Consulate
   ********************************************
   I had also prepared a Question bank which I think will be useful for anyone going for an interview. Here is the list of question for which I had prepared for:
   
   What does your U.S. company do?
   How many employees does the U.S. company have?
   What is the annual turnover of the U.S. company?
   Where will you be working in the U.S.?
   name of the person who interviewed you
   CEO name?
   How many clients the company has?
   Name of the Client?
   What does the client do?
   Location of Client?
   Turn Over?
   Consultant: Name of the consultant
   Consultant: Employer Name / Contact person
   Consultant: Location
   Consultant: Year of Establishment ?
   Consultant: Gross Annual Income ?
   Consultant: Current no. of Employees -
   Consultant: Has the consultant filed any H1b before ?
   Consultant: Who are the other clients ?
   How log you are associated with this employer?
   Where is the company in US?
   When was company established?
   Is your company a contracting company?
   How many H1B your employer is going to feel for the next 12 months?
   Do your employer have a website?
   Who owns the company?
   Is this a Software Consulting firm?
   What will be your job duties in the U.S. company?
   where will you work in Clients place or in HQ
   No of resources in the project / Team size
   Non-IT background - how to convince
   Can I see you offer letter (with current employer)
   What is your highest degree?
   When did you finish your graduation?
   Can you prove to me that you were on a good status as a student?
   Why do you want to go to US?
   Why do you want to leave your current job
   Have you ever traveled to US?
   Have you ever traveled to any other country?
   Are you married?
   Are u planning to settle in U.S? If not, then why are you going to US?
   When are you planning to leave for US?
   How long have you worked with your current employer?
   Area of expertise of the company which is processed for you?
   What computer languages do you know? (Information Technology professionals are often asked this question)
   What is your role in the current company?
   Name of the Project & Description.
   What Technology
   What will be your role and responsibilities in the project?
   Month of Interview - Salary - Other benifits - Job Title -
   Is this a full time job ?
   What other Companies you have worked till date? What roles you played.
   What makes you the best fit for this position at this US company?
   What is the duration of your Project?
   What computer languages are you currently using for your company?
   How long do you plan to stay in the U.S.?
   Which state do you live in the U.S.? What’s your opinion about the state?
   Why do you need H1b visa?

WINDOWS SERVER-2008

Release Candidate of Hyper-V released

Reaching the next major milestone in virtualization development, Microsoft today made broadly available a feature-complete release candidate of Microsoft Hyper-V, the hypervisor-based virtualization software available with various versions of Windows Server 2008. A beta of Hyper-V was included with Windows Server 2008 when it launched last month, and this release candidate provides updated, near-final code. Hyper-V provides customers with efficient and cost-effective virtualization infrastructure software. It enables customers to reduce operating costs by increasing hardware utilization, optimizing infrastructure and improving server availability. Customers and partners can learn more and download the release candidate here.

Read more about the tools, training, and resources that Microsoft is providing to help make it easier for customers and partners to deploy or build upon Windows Server 2008, and utilize technology such as Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V.

Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008, with built-in Web and virtualization technologies, enables you to increase the reliability and flexibility of your server infrastructure. New virtualization tools, Web resources, and security enhancements help you save time, reduce costs, and provide a platform for a dynamic and optimized datacenter. Powerful new tools like IIS7, Windows Server Manager, and Windows PowerShell, allow you to have more control over your servers and streamline Web, configuration, and management tasks. Advanced security and reliability enhancements like Network Access Protection and the Read-Only Domain Controller harden the operating system and protect your server environment to ensure you have a solid foundation on which to build your business.

Product Highlights
Built for the WebSimplify Web server management with Internet Information Services 7.0, which is a powerful Web platform for applications and services. This modular platform provides a simplified, task-based management interface, greater cross-site control, security enhancements, and integrated health management for Web Services.Internet Information Server (IIS) 7 and .NET Framework 3.0 provide a comprehensive platform for building applications that connect users to each other and to their data, enabling them to visualize, share, and act on information.

Virtualization
Virtualize multiple operating systems - Windows, Linux and others - on a single server. With virtualization built into the operating system and with simpler, more flexible licensing policies, it’s now easier than ever to take advantage of all the benefits and cost savings of virtualization.

Windows Server 2008 provides you with the flexibility to create an agile and dynamic datacenter to meet your changing business needs.Terminal Services Gateway and Terminal Services RemoteApp are designed for easy remote access and application integration with the local desktop, enabling secure and seamless application deployment without the need for a VPN.


Security
Windows Server 2008 is the most secure Windows Server ever. Its hardened operating system and security innovations, including Network Access Protection, Federated Rights Management, and Read-Only Domain Controller, provide unprecedented levels of protection for your network, your data, and your business.Windows Server 2008 helps protect against failure and intrusion for servers, networks, data, and user accounts.Network Access Protection gives you the power to isolate computers that don’t comply with your organization's security policies, and provides network restriction, remediation, and ongoing compliance checking.Federated Rights Management Services provides persistent protection for sensitive data; helps reduce risks and enables compliance; and provides a platform for comprehensive information protection.

Read-Only Domain Controller allows you to deploy Active Directory Domain Services while restricting replication of the full Active Directory database, to better protect against server theft or compromise.

A Solid Foundation for Your Business Workloads
Windows Server 2008 is the most flexible and robust Windows Server operating system to date. With new technologies and features such as Server Core, PowerShell, Windows Deployment Services, and enhanced networking and clustering technologies, Windows Server 2008 provides you the most versatile and reliable Windows platform for all of your workload and application requirements.

Server Manager accelerates server setup and configuration, and simplifies ongoing management of server roles via a unified management console.Windows PowerShell is a new command-line shell with more than 130 tools and an integrated scripting language that enables an administrator to automate routine system administration tasks, especially across multiple servers.Server Core is a new installation option for selected roles that includes only the necessary components and subsystems without a graphical user interface, to provide a highly available server that requires fewer updates and less servicing.

US H1 B ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA DOCUMENTS & NOTES

Check List of Documents needed for H-1B filing/transfer
(Please attach the documents and check the points against them)


1. Copy of passport (including visa stamps, if any)
2. Copy of latest I-94 (arrival/departure records), if any
3. Copy of H-1 approval (in case of H-1B transfer)
4. Copy of L-1 approval (in case of L-1 to H-1 transfer)
5. Copy of I-20 from school issued through the SEVIS system in case of F-1 to H-1 transfer
6. Copy of EAD issued as part of OPT in case of F-1 to H-1 change of status
7. Copy of Social Security Card (if residing in United States on H1/L1/F1 visa)
8. Copy of Drivers license or State ID
9. Copy of academic credential evaluations, if available (in case of H-1B transfer)
10. Copy of all Degree/Diploma certificates and associated transcripts/ mark sheets
11. Copy of Experience or reference letters from current and past employers
12. Copy of last 3 pay stubs
13. Copy of latest W2 (if residing in United States)
14. Copy of H-1/L-1 petition (in case of H-1 transfer/L-1 to H-1 transfer)
15. Resume (should include the details about previous employers and in case of a H-1B transfer should give the employment period based on H-1B employer along with clients worked for) .

Introduction to H1B visas
The United States H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa, which allows a US company to employ a foreign individual for up to six years. As applying for a non-immigrant visa is generally quicker than applying for a 'Green Card', staff required on long-term assignment in the US are often initially brought in using a non-immigrant visa such as the H1B.

Individuals can not apply for an H1B visa to allow them to work in the US. The employer must petition for entry of the employee. H1B visas are subject to annual numerical limits.The H1B visa is designed to be used for staff in "specialty occupations", that is those occupations which require a high degree of specialized knowledge. Generally at least the equivalent of a job-relevant 4-year US Bachelor's degree is required (this requirement can usually be met by having a 3-year degree and 3 years' relevant post-graduate experience). However, professionals such as lawyers, doctors, accountants and others must be licensed to practice in the state of intended employment – e.g. a lawyer must generally have passed the relevant state bar exam.

Non-graduates may be employed on an H1B visa where they can claim to be 'graduate equivalent' by virtue of twelve or more years' experience in the occupation.Positions that are not "speciality occupations", or for which the candidate lacks the qualifications/experience for an H1B visa, may be filled using an H-2B visa. The disadvantage of the H-2B visa is that it requires 'labor certification' - an expensive and time consuming process that involves extensive advertising of the position, and satisfying the authorities that there are no US workers available to do the job. Also, H-2B visas are initially granted only for one year, extendable in one year increments to a maximum of 3 years. As each extension requires a new Labor Certification, it unsurprising that, of the annual quota of 66,000 H-2B visas, only a few thousand are ever issued.

The new H1B legislation requires certain employers, called 'H1B dependent employers' to advertise positions in the USA before petitioning to employ H1B workers for those positions. H1B dependent employers are defined as those having more than 15% of their employees in H1B status (for firms with over 50 employees – small firms are allowed a higher percentage of H1B employees before becoming 'dependent'). In addition all new H1B petitions and 1st extensions of H1B's now require a fee (in addition to the usual filing fees) of US$500 to be paid, which will be used to fund a training programme for resident US workers.

The initial visa may be granted for up to three years. It may then be extended, in the first instance for up to two further years, and eventually for one further year, to a maximum of six years. Those wishing to remain in the US for more than six years may, while still in the US on an H1B visa, apply for permanent residence (the "green card"): if such employees do not gain permanent residence, when the six year period runs out, they must live outside the US for at least one year before an application is made for them to enter on an H or an L visa.
Once a company has brought an employee to the US on an H1B visa, should the company dismiss that employee before the expiry of the visa, the company is liable for any reasonable costs that the employee incurs in moving him/herself, his/her effects, and (where appropriate) his/her dependants, back to his/her last foreign residence. This provision covers only dismissal, it is not relevant when an employee chooses to resign.

H1B Dependent Employers
Before making an H1B application, an H1B dependent employer must make "good faith" attempts to recruit resident US workers using "procedures that meet industry-wide standards" and "offering compensation at least as great as that offered to the H1B alien". Given the wide variety of recruitment methods used in different industries, this provision is likely to cause some confusion both for the BCIS and employers. For example, Internet advertising might be in "good faith" and "meet industry-wide standards" for the IT sector, but would it for, say, the engineering industry? This is a matter that will demand careful consideration on the part of H1B dependent employers.

It is worth noting, however, that the recruitment attestation described above is not required by H1B dependent employers seeking to employ aliens with Master's (or higher) Degrees, or those earning in excess of US$60,000. Non H1B dependent employers are not required to make such an attestation in any event.

Can my company make H1B visa applications?
Any US employer can sponsor an H1B petition, provided it has an IRS Tax Number, also known as an IRS Number or Tax ID Number. This number is needed for obtaining approval of the Labor Condition Application (LCA), which is an essential preliminary to the H1B petition itself. However, employers should take note that sponsoring an H1B petition involves them making a number of undertakings, enforceable by heavy civil and criminal penalties: These undertakings are:-

To pay the H1B worker at least the higher of the wage paid to similar workers in the same company or the "prevailing wage" (usually determined by the relevant State Employment Services Agency) for the occupation in the area the worker will be employed; That the recruitment of the H1B worker(s) will not adversely affect the conditions of the employer's US-resident employees in similar jobs;

That there is no strike or lockout occurring at the time the Labor Condition Application is submitted, and that the approved LCA will not be used to support petitions for H1B aliens to be employed at the site of any subsequent strike or lockout; That a copy of the LCA form will be given to the H1B worker and either given to the bargaining representative of employees in similar occupations or (if there is no bargaining representative) posted in 2 conspicuous locations for at least 10 days in the place the H1B alien will be working;

To maintain records of the LCA and the H1B alien's employment for inspection by the US Department of Labor.
Note that the prevailing wage is generally lower for non-profit and academic/research organizations.

H-1b visa application process flowchart
You complete our on-line appraisal formworkpermit.com considers the application. If your company, the position and the candidate are eligible for an H1B visa, workpermit.com e-mail to you: A formal instruction form to return Details of any additional data required, and confirmation of which documents we needYou post documents to workpermit.com at 11 Bolt Court, London EC4A 3DQworkpermit.com files a Prevailing Wage request with the relevant State Employment Security Agency. Determination generally takes between three and ten working days.workpermit.com prepares a Labor Condition Application form and instructions, and the I-129H petition forms.

You sign and return to us the LCA and I-129 H formWe submit the LCA to the US DoL, and once the LCA is certified, workpermit.com compiles and submits your I-129H petition to the Immigration & Naturalization Service at the appropriate Regional Service Center

After 2 to 6 months the petition is approved, and the Notice of Approval is returned to you, these are then taken to the relevant US consulate by the candidate for issue of the H1B visa. workpermit.com will provide full instructions and forms, and in some instances can arrange for visa issuance.