Prepared by Dr Cris Wildermuth SPHR Assistant Professor

Prepared by Dr. Cris Wildermuth, SPHR Assistant Professor, Drake University Master of Science, Adult Learning & Organizational Performance www. drake. edu/alop cris@theeffectivenessgroup. com Open the Door to Certification The Why, the How, and the Tips for Success

© Cris Wildermuth, 2011. This presentation was prepared by Dr. Cris Wildermuth for the Iowa SHRM Council and for the Linked: HR Webpage. Please do not directly copy or post this presentation on a website without the author’s permission. Posting of a link to the original location at www. linkedhr. com is acceptable.

Navigation In the spirit of “not reinventing the wheel” I included in this presentation several links to great resources (including the exact locations of key information on the HRCI page). You will get the most of this presentation if you follow the links provided!

Welcome! Obtaining my SPHR certification was one of the most rewarding steps I took in my career. Yes, it was hard work – but it was definitely worth the ride! I hope the Linked: HR members interested in obtaining the PHR/SPHR/GPHR certifications find this presentation useful. TIP: Read this in “presentation” view to use the navigation hyperlinks.

More Navigation Return to the central Why/How/Tips page. Return to the previously viewed slide Additional tips on the topic My (Cris) personal experiences on this topic Return to the previous slide Continue to the next slide.

Disclaimers and all that kind of stuff Some of the information contained in this presentation comes from the HRCI (Human Resources Certification Institute) page. This presentation is not intended as a substitute for the great information contained in the HRCI page but as a “road map” to make your life easier. Always confirm details such as dates, prices, and eligibility at the HRCI page. Links will be provided as you go along. I am not connected with or responsible for any of the resources recommended here. Links are provided for the benefit of the community only. Your comments regarding these resources are welcome! This presentation was last updated on November 29, 2011.

WHY? HOW? TIPS

Why? ● A survey on the value of the certification was sent to the members of Linked: HR, a very large (500, 000+) HR community on Linked. In. CLICK HERE for a summary of the preliminary* results

Survey Respondents Not HR Retired / In Transition Student Faculty / Higher Ed. . External OD/Training. . . OD/Training Professional Training Manager VP/Director OD/Training External Consultant HR Professional HR Manager VP / Director of HR 58 40 18 13 10 18 25 16 129 237 282 209 0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Size of the Organization 5000+ 207 1001 -5000 159 501 -1000 118 101 -500 276 <100 274 0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Certifications Held Other 194 No certification GPHR 332 26 SPHR 275 PHR 271

Benefits ● Participants were asked the following question: If you already have an HR certification, what have been the benefits for you of obtaining it? Please use the following code: ● ● ● 1 2 3 4 5 = = = not important somewhat important very important of considerable importance, vital Click on the NEXT arrow to see the results.

Benefits Mean Number 3. 84 696 3. 78 690 • Reputation / credibility with the leadership at my organization 3. 39 694 • The certification made it easier to get a job 3. 29 675 • The certification made it easier to get a promotion 2. 57 680 • Reputation / credibility with my HR peers • The STUDY process for the certification was valuable

Other Benefits ● The next slides summarize the main “themes” identified in the data. The comments included are representative of the participants’ responses.

Credibility ● “As a consultant it provides credibility and a 'kite' mark for proven experience, particularly as Fellowship level. ” ● “Gives credibility to our profession in the eyes of the general public by ensuring a uniform minimum standard of ethics and knowledge. ”

Demonstrate Commitment ● “It shows that I am serious about my profession. ” ● “The commitment and drive needed to prepare for and pass PHR certification is what gives HR professionals greater value when in possession of a PHR certification. It is not a test just anyone can show up to and pass. It requires real working knowledge of a broad range of HR subject matter. ”

Personal Satisfaction ● “Passing the SPHR not only gave me more credibility, it also added greatly to my self-esteem as an HR professional. It has been very important in establishing an HR consulting practice. ” ● “The accomplishment of taking the test and passing was a great feeling. I am proud to tell people I have my PHR. ”

Continuing Learning ● “Having the certification pushes you to keep the certification. That pushes you to attend training and participate in other activities that help you stay upto-date with your knowledge and skills. ” ● “The greatest benefit for me is what happens AFTER the certification. It's not just take a test and be done because you have to re-certify every three years. So it is a continuous improvement model for me. ”

Gain Broader Knowledge ● “Gaining a broader HR knowledge – going beyond my specialty. ” ● “Certification is a wonderful learning experience. It helped me delve into areas of HR that I was barely aware of. ” ● “It gives you an overall understanding of the field, and it gives you other career options within your field that you may not have thought about until you went through the process of certification. ”

Facilitate Job Search ● “The certification made it easier to keep my job. ” ● “Certification is often a requirement during job searches. ” ● “I've noticed many job posting for HR positions that require a certification. ”

Networking ● “Creation of a network of like-minded HR professionals. ” ● “Interacting with fellow HR Professionals on subjects of mutual interest. ” ● “The study process help me build a network of HR professionals and provide me the opportunity to benchmark. ” ● “A huge benefit to me of studying for my HR certification were the people I studied with who have become a valuable resource for their variety of experiences and huge knowledge pool. ”

How? First Steps Register Study Test Day!

Requirements ● The PHR/SPHR/GPHR exams are designed for experienced HR professionals. You must, therefore, demonstrate a certain level of experience in HR before you can take the exam. For instance: – PHR Eligibility: 2 years of demonstrated professional HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree – SPHR Eligibility: 5 years of demonstrated professional HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree

Requirements ● The eligibility requirements for each of the exams are located HERE. Take a look and then come back to this presentation! ● If you are a student (or recent graduate) and do not yet have the experience, you may be interested in the “SHRM Assurance of Learning” exam. CLICK HERE for information.

Position Codes ● In order to be eligible to complete the exam, you must spend more than 51% of your time on HR duties. ● The HRCI provides a list of pre-approved “job position titles” – CLICK HERE to review the list. If your title matches one of the titles on the list, you’re good to go.

My title does not match! ● If your title DOES NOT match the ones indicated on the list, you need to submit additional documentation. – A supporting WORK DOCUMENTATION FORM – An official job description that demonstrates that more than 51% of your time is spent on HR duties – Documentation of the appropriate number of years of experience

Exam Dates ● The exams are offered during two “windows” of time each year. These “windows” take place in the spring and in the winter months. ● CLICK HERE for registration deadlines and exam dates.

Registration ● Once you find an appropriate date, SUBMIT AN APPLICATION to complete the exam. – In the application, you must attest that you read the CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK. Tip: Read it now. ● Once your application is approved, REGISTER RIGHT AWAY!

Study ● Whether you choose the PHR, the SPHR, or the GPHR, preparation is key. ● Here are some information provided by the HRCI that may interest you: – Exam content – Pass/fail statistics

Study ● SHRM publishes a highly comprehensive set of exam preparation materials (The SHRM Learning System). The system includes a set of reading materials and access to online questions. ● Keep in mind, however, that SHRM and the HRCI are independent – completing the SHRM Learning System is probably a good move, but may not be enough. Go to the TIPS section of this presentation for additional recommendations of resources.

Test Day ● More tips for success – Before the exam date, familiarize yourself with the surroundings. You don’t want to “waste” stress on finding a parking spot! – Click HERE for additional tips (at the HRCI site) for stress management.

Tips ● This section includes a series of tips for your success. Click on the pictures or boxes below for the beginning of each specific section: Before the exam Books & more Exam day

Before the Exam

Specialists ● What happens if you are a specialist? Can you actually study for the exam? – The exams are designed for professionals with generalist experience. – With that said, it’s possible for specialists to prepare for the exam (HRCI does not prevent specialists from completing the exam, and specialist “position codes” are accepted).

The Specialist ● Having worked in HRD most of my professional life I had very little knowledge of other areas within the HR field. As a result, the exam preparation was a long haul. Knowledge most of my colleagues take for granted had to be painfully acquired through lots of studying. I complemented my studies with conversations with colleagues, questions on Linked: HR (an online HR group on Linked. In), and group study sessions.

PHR or SPHR? ● Should I complete the PHR or the SPHR? – That really depends on your level of experience, the scope of your work, and your career goals. The SPHR is designed for senior HR professionals who work with “big picture” processes and make strategic decisions. The PHR is designed for HR professionals with operational/tactical responsibilities.

Changing your Mind ● Something to keep in mind… – If you register for one test and change your mind later, you will need to pay a “change of level fee” (which, as of the last update of this presentation was $125).

How early should I register? ● Don’t delay. There are limited seats at the test sites and these seats fill out quickly. ● Also notice that you must register 4 months prior to the opening of the “window” in order to avoid late fees (even with a late fee, you must register more than a month before the exam!) ● Avoid the temptation to register for the exam the last possible date of the “window. ” If you have an emergency, you may not be able to reschedule – and may forfeit your application fee!

A long way from home ● Even though the “window” was open until the end of January, there were no seats open in my city (Des Moines) – I had to drive two hours to take the exam. ● Moral of the story: Plan ahead!

I hate exams! ● I hate taking exams… what can I do? – Practice, practice. A chunk of your study time should be dedicated to practicing the style and format of the exams. – In particular, practice completing 225 questions in one sitting! – The online exams offered by the HRCI and the questions in the SHRM Learning System are quite good. However, don’t stop there – most preparation books include practice questions.

Do I need to study? ● As an experienced professional do I need to study? – Even if you are highly experienced, you may need to review specialty areas. Also, do not underestimate the difficulty of completing 225 questions!

HRCI Prep Questions ● I particularly liked the HRCI exam preparation questions – they were a bit pricey but were the closest to the actual types of questions I found on the exam. Complete the pre-test early in the process to gauge how much you need to prepare.

Study Buddies ● I studied with a “buddy” off and on for a year. Our studies became more intensive about 3 months away from the exam (and very intensive in the last month). During those last 3 months we met weekly for about 3 hours and studied individually between meetings.

Field Trip ● I visited the exam site the day before and talked to the attendant. That was a good move – I learned about the rules of the site, asked questions on breaks, etc. That made me more comfortable on the exam day!

Books & More

HRCI Resources ● CLICK HERE for a list of resources suggested by the HRCI. ● Notice that the HRCI does not endorse any particular book or method (not even the SHRM Learning System!). Instead, the HRCI recommends that candidates “use multiple reference materials when studying for the exams” (www. hrci. org). ● Click on the NEXT button for additional resources.

Other Resources In January of 2011, Linked: HR members were asked to recommend books and other preparation resources. The following books/resources were mentioned (books linked to Amazon. com): ● Anne Bogardus, PHR/SPHR Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide ● Larry Phillips, SPHR Exam Prep ● Cathy Lee Gibson, PHR Exam Prep ● Smith & Mazin, The HR Answer Book ● Yasgoor & Bresler, Kaplan Human Resource Certification ● Certgear practice tests

Additional Resources ● My blog includes four entries on the certification: – The Marathon is Over: Tips for the SPHR Exam – Three Lists for the SPHR (by my guest blogger and the best “study buddy” ever, Jim Foord) – Passing the PHR/SPHR Exam: Answers and Tips – Collective Wisdom: A Summary of Certification Experiences

Exam Day

Test Site Experience Linked: HR members consulted in January of 2011 provided the following "sanity tips" for the test site: ● EAR PLUGS: Several people endorsed the recommendation to bring ear plugs. Yes, the center may provide an alternative but it may not be as comfortable. The ear plugs need to be the "safety" kind (not the ipod kind with strings). ● CLIMATE CONTROL may be an issue - especially since people's temperature preferences vary! Some colleagues advised "layering up. " This may sound like a simple advice, but it matters. . . you don't want to be distracted by being too cold or too hot.

What can you take? ● What can you take with you? – You can't take anything with you into the testing room. – Colleagues reported having their pockets emptied and being asked to remove their watches. – Someone said that she could not take her cough drops in. – In Cris’ site they provided tissues, but one could only take in one tissue at a time.

Accommodations ● If you need special accommodations contact the testing organization early to explain your case and have your specific questions answered. My experience - confirmed by colleagues - was that the testing administrators are very strict about what you can and cannot take with you.

Should you cram? ● The night before the exam you may be tempted to “cram it” or (even worse) complete 1, 000 exam questions. I did! ● My advice is…don’t. I drove myself crazy doing just that and fretting that I didn’t know enough. ● The best thing you can do the night before is relax and go to bed early. ● Key point: This is not a regurgitation test. You will need to think… and you can’t do that if you’re exhausted.

Congratulations! You are ready to tackle the SPHR/GPHR test! Best wishes in your journey!