When potential clients contact me to find out if an EB1, NIW or OR case is a viable option, right away I request a resume. The resume is the first place I start to evaluate the merits of a case and provide an initial evaluation.
When potential clients contact me to find out if an EB1, NIW or OR case is a viable option, right away I request a resume. The resume is the first place I start to evaluate the merits of a case and provide an initial evaluation.
Often, I get a ‘scientific’ resume or 10+ page cv. The reason for this blog entry is to explain what kind of resume is most useful and to the point. An extensive, technical resume is good for seeking work in your field, of course. But, the other day, I received a perfect resume and thought I would share the reasons why it was so helpful in the evaluation of a case.
First, the scientific work descriptions were there – but kept to a minimum. This individual explained his own original scientific contribution in a brief, understandable, plain-English way. He focused on what precise benefit was being gained by U.S. society at large.
This individual had won a major national Award. He clearly explained:
how many applicants (nationally and internationally) there were for that year
the process by which he was nominated and selected
a clear picture of just how competitive it was
how many winners there were, including distinguishing his own work and showing how he was
the ‘only one’ who won in that particular category
who sponsored the award (in this case it was a major corporation) and who the esteemed judges were
For journal publications, there was a clear heading of Peer Reviewed articles and other types of articles. Peer reviewed being the preferred ones. It also included what the Impact Factors were for the journals – why those are considered to be high, websites of the journals and of major importance – Citations to the work. [Similar standards should be followed if you are a Reviewer of any important journal or your work has been discussed in a major way in print.]
It included grant funding info, i.e. the granting Governmental Agency, and amount of funding, including the unique role played by the client in obtaining that funding.
On a side note, if you work as a postdoc and there is a tangible plan to market a new drug or application through a pharmaceutical company or clinical trials are imminent, a couple of key sentences will suffice under the job description.
At the bottom, in the last section, was a list of potential reference writers and links to their brief bios or other factual information showing why that writer would be considered an expert in the field and what he/she would know or write about the client.
Although this individual did not list any major Associations he belonged to, the same principle would apply. You could include the competitiveness of joining an association in your field, if you have to be nominated, how strict the membership is, the influence the association has on the field. You could also differentiate if you are a senior, nominated member versus a regular associate member who just has to pay annual dues. The more outstanding you have to be to join such an elite group, the better for your case. And, of most importance, is being able to provide independent documentation.
Likewise, for any significant national or international Patent application, whether pending or granted. It is best to explain why it is still pending, when it may be approved and especially explain your unique role among team members in that invention, new methodology or discovery. It is critical if your name is listed first on the patent.
Just as you are instructed to change your resume for a particular position, company, university or national lab, so it is expedient to think conceptually about what you need to prove and create a resume for the lawyer who can then understand your work/major contributions and efficiently guide you through the complex U.S. immigration process.
Reshma D. Parmar
Attorney at Law
