SHRM Certification
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[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-05-03 AT 03:30PM (CST)[/font][p]I realize this may not be the best place for this posting, but I spend a lot of time here and all of the frequent posters eventually land in HR-De-Har-Har.
It's that time of year again. Nearly everyday now, I receive brochures from our local universities and colleges. And, every year, I try to talk myself into furthering my education. I don't have a degree. I realize a degree is what I need, but finances and time constraints will not permit the pursuit.
I think I want to try the SHRM certification test.
I know many of you have received this certification. I'm looking for opinions. Did you participate in preparatory classes, and if so, did you
(a)attend a class, (b)study via the internet, (c)webcast or (d)self-study? I have all options available to me. Please let me know how it worked for you.
Thanks!
It's that time of year again. Nearly everyday now, I receive brochures from our local universities and colleges. And, every year, I try to talk myself into furthering my education. I don't have a degree. I realize a degree is what I need, but finances and time constraints will not permit the pursuit.
I think I want to try the SHRM certification test.
I know many of you have received this certification. I'm looking for opinions. Did you participate in preparatory classes, and if so, did you
(a)attend a class, (b)study via the internet, (c)webcast or (d)self-study? I have all options available to me. Please let me know how it worked for you.
Thanks!
Comments
Good luck.
I just passed the SPHR exam in June. I did not do much preparation, and attribute my success to the fact that I took the bar exam just a few years ago and learned all sorts of valuable test-taking tips in many months of bar prep classes. Like riding a bicycle (a painful, counter-intuitive bicycle), it all came back to me. I can offer these fresh impressions from my recent experience:
1. At a minimum, review materials prepared or recommended by HCRI before taking the exam so that you are exposed to the exam style and question structure. The exam is very "text-book" oriented, in that it frequently focuses on conceptual issues, rather than practical application (such as what gets discussed and analyzed in this Forum). Try to answer from the real world and you will do poorly - even if your real world includes 20+ years of solid generalist experience.
2. Spend time assessing your individual "adult learning" style, and build a prep plan around it. Do you learn better through reading (self-study)? Hearing (instructor led)? Doing (googles of practice questions)? The courses and materials are pricey, so its best to figure out which resources will benefit your individual needs before investing in anything.
3. Research the times & places the exam will be offered in the future, and factor in the physical surroundings into your prep. I know many people who could not get "in their zone" at the test site due to distractions and discomfort, and did not pass the exam. The June exam was offered at the annual SHRM convention, and there were over 500 examinees (PHR & SPHR combined). The cacophony of sniffles, coughs, and feet shuffling to the rest room was maddening. Some exam sites offer small group settings, others place hundreds of test takers into a single hall. Note that after the next exam date, all future exams will be administered via computer(no more #2 pencils & bubbles).
4. Relax. Follow your instincts - and not direct marketing mailers - on what works best for you.
5. DO NOT show up for the exam any earlier than absolutely necessary. The only thing that gones on at the exam site before the the official start time is a whole bunch of panicked activity (note cards, highlighters) and nervous discussion. Avoid it!!!
Best of luck!
Washburn (in Topeka) is $895.00. Do you know whether or not HRMA coordinates study groups? I looked at their website and wasn't too impressed. Their calendar of events is so empty. They don't even list the next testing date in December. (Trying to determine location.)
I'll check into JCCC. Thanks for the advice.
Zanne
A woman who worked in our main HR office (I worked in a branch office), and who took the test the same day I did, purchased the study materials but confessed that she did not have the discipline to study on her own. She did pass the test although I remember her being nervous as to whether she passed. I felt prepared for the test and did not feel nervous afterwards.
I'd advise anyone to take the test. If you have a study group or a course that you can take, it could provide networking opportunities.
Good luck.
Karla
E Wart
I've been sending out resumes for months and months and months without any results. I guess I'm trying to find a short term solution to long term problem.
I am certified - have been for years and plan on keeping my certification current. But, I too, have had some of the same thoughts that you've expressed. Certification doesn't make me any smarter or mean that I know any more about the HR profession. And, to tell you the truth, the test wasn't so tough that I'd feel a special need to demand the certification for a HR job. However, and this is a BIG however, employers LIKE seeing it on resumes and the certification will frequently (in my experience) make a difference between getting an interview and not getting one. I think they think it means the applicant is more serious about his/her career or more apt to keep current on HR happenings. Neitehr of which are necessarily true but taht may be what they think.
Having said all of that, I am glad I was certified before I married my current husband. He probably would have made us spend the money on new pipes for our motorcycle also.
Karla
Seriously, though. Based on the job advertisements for places that I want to work, I'm amazed that around half of them request "PHR or SPHR preferred." So, if for no other reason than to hedge my bets, I think it would be worth a couple of hundred bucks to prepare. Although the first time around, I think I will take it after some self-preparation rather than a formal study group. I generally do pretty well on tests.
Good luck with both your continued education and certification.
Anyone have anything to say about recertification?
I've been tracking stuff and keeping records, now it's about time to write it up and send it in. Has anyone had any training rejected as "not acceptable?"
I have a lot of hours racked up during the implementation of our HRIS that is computer oriented. I'm hoping it will all count, I certainly use the info all the time.
Good luck with yours.
E Wart
PS I was instructed by the person with our SHRM chapter who was in charge of the class not to even go for the PHR and just take the SPHR. I am glad I did this. (It may depend upon how much expereience you have as to whether or not you want to do this.)
My best advice is to pick the study method that works best for you. There are a number of online study groups that share materials and work together.
Good luck.
You're basically learning the way HRCI will test you. In some aspects I had to put aside things I had learned from 10 - 15 years of experience and learn instead how HRCI will want you to respond.
I went for the SPHR because it was going to be a requirement for new positions opening up in my company at that time. I also wanted to do it for myself, my own personal satisfaction. I'm glad I did it because I got my current job (HR Director) because of it -the ad required certification. I'm now pursuing my CCP (Cert. Comp Professional) through WorldAtWork, because I think any continuing education is helpful.
To the poster who asked about re-certification, I went through it once and recently submitted my second application. I had no problems the first time around. I sent my material in more than a month ago for my second re-cert but haven't heard any feedback yet. I did incorporate some of the "new" requirements (strategic focus) and am not sure if I provided what they were looking for. I also don't have a good feel for the timing.