Spice Up Your Knowledge
by Karen Goodlett, SPHR - Certification Guru
Earlier this spring, someone asked me why they should pursue an SPHR or PHR certification. I was busy and my initial response simply paraphrased what is found on the HR Certification Institute website:
HR certification sets you apart from your peers; improves your opportunities for career advancement; increases your confidence; and in a world of ‘budget cuts’, makes you more valuable to the organization in which you work.
The half-smile and head nod told me I wasn’t getting through. I was going to have to get personal, so I continued to explain:
In a constantly evolving HR world, you certify to ensure you have the knowledge needed to be an HR professional in today’s market. When you receive your PHR or SPHR certification, you have shown that you can apply that knowledge to be an HR professional in the 21st century!
Another nod and this one came with a “cool”. I had their attention! I continued:
Making the commitment to pursue certification offers you the opportunity to challenge yourself and more fully expand your knowledge of the HR profession. When you receive that certification, you’ve shown you take your professional development seriously enough to invest hours and hours of study and class time to prepare yourself to sit for the exam. Knowing you have to recertify every three years, you are making a career long commitment to the human resource profession.
When you participate in something like the Big Bend SHRM Certification Study Group, whether you take and pass the exam or not, you gain a comprehensive knowledge of HR that will allow you to better perform your job. Additionally, you will get to know other HR professionals who will study with you, share experiences and support you throughout the process. You will make friends who will celebrate with you when you pass the exam or commiserate with you should you fail. You will have professional connections with whom you can network and use as resources.
“Awesome!” they responded. Yes it is.
If you would like to learn more about PHR and SPHR certifications, information can be found at www.hrci.org
Earlier this spring, someone asked me why they should pursue an SPHR or PHR certification. I was busy and my initial response simply paraphrased what is found on the HR Certification Institute website:
HR certification sets you apart from your peers; improves your opportunities for career advancement; increases your confidence; and in a world of ‘budget cuts’, makes you more valuable to the organization in which you work.
The half-smile and head nod told me I wasn’t getting through. I was going to have to get personal, so I continued to explain:
In a constantly evolving HR world, you certify to ensure you have the knowledge needed to be an HR professional in today’s market. When you receive your PHR or SPHR certification, you have shown that you can apply that knowledge to be an HR professional in the 21st century!
Another nod and this one came with a “cool”. I had their attention! I continued:
Making the commitment to pursue certification offers you the opportunity to challenge yourself and more fully expand your knowledge of the HR profession. When you receive that certification, you’ve shown you take your professional development seriously enough to invest hours and hours of study and class time to prepare yourself to sit for the exam. Knowing you have to recertify every three years, you are making a career long commitment to the human resource profession.
When you participate in something like the Big Bend SHRM Certification Study Group, whether you take and pass the exam or not, you gain a comprehensive knowledge of HR that will allow you to better perform your job. Additionally, you will get to know other HR professionals who will study with you, share experiences and support you throughout the process. You will make friends who will celebrate with you when you pass the exam or commiserate with you should you fail. You will have professional connections with whom you can network and use as resources.
“Awesome!” they responded. Yes it is.
If you would like to learn more about PHR and SPHR certifications, information can be found at www.hrci.org
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