Here’s an update for my HR readers: I moved my SPHR recertification test to December 22nd. My November was brutal. I had the swine flu, an excessive amount of travel, and a tremendous amount of personal ennui.
Over the past month, I’ve met my share of certified professionals. A board certified doctor who diagnosed me with H1N1. A certified realtor who is trying to sell my house. A certified nail technician who gave me a pedicure. I’m still not sure if I need to be a certified HR professional, but if I’m going to do it, I don’t want to f–k it up.
As a side note, I want to start an association or industry trade group — just to charge money and certify people. Would you pay to be a certified blogger? Maybe I can create a designation for cat bloggers? Ideas? Anyone?
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
That happened to me the last time I took the SPHR. I’d set the date, but a series of unfortunate events kept me from studying AT ALL. Seriously, my study time was 30 minutes at Culver’s right before the test.
I totally aced that test…not because I’m brilliant, but because all you really have to do is think like SHRM. Read the question, say to yourself, “What would they tell me to do with this if I was reading it in SHRM Magazine?” Then pick that answer.
Disturbingly, many of the questions had NO answer that reflected the way I’d actually handle the situation…but my boss saw those letters and thought I was smart, so whatever.
I want to be a certified badass. How much is that, and how long is the test?
The PHR/SPHR is in place for one reason alone: Recurring Revenue Stream.
I took the test out of college (passed) and earned my certification 2 years later after spending those two years as an HR Assistant.
I haven’t done anything since. I’ve been considering going for my SPHR but will put that off until I need to find a new job.
What does an SPHR get you other than creds for a new job? The only people who will validate your certification are prospective employers (as part of a background check). Truthfully, what percent of those employers actually check 80%?
If I walked around and passed out a business card that said HRputer, SPHR. Would you have reason to doubt me (unless we got to talking about the test)? Would you even care enough to validate it?
Edit that percentage should have been 20% (on the opposite side of the 80/20 rule). My point doesn’t stick at 80%
For starting an association, have ten paid members (including yourself), have a few meetings to have mission statement and bylaws, then register for 501(c)(3) or (6), get funding and insurance, and then promote it to the audience.
I want to be in the category of “other” and willing to pay.
Although it is a different professional body, we have very much the same issues in the UK. And quite frankly once you get Chartered status, you need to start learning how to do HR the proper way. Forget the textbooks and start over.
That said, having just had a load of heart tests……there are some areas where a professional standard is probably best!
I think you should totally create a designation for bloggers who can monetize, and create a social media presence for, their cat(s).
And charge beaucoup bucks to join. That catnip and tuna ain’t buyin’ itself, you know?
How about the certification to Think Like A Rational Person? TLARP.
I also think there should be a certification for anyone working in an escort service.
Wasn’t Steve Martin a certified cat juggler??
I’m happy to join any association that advocates yoga pants & hoodies. I don’t care what the area of expertise is, as long as most of the members aren’t dressed by Chico’s.
I second Kerry’s “WWSHRMD?” advice. I could easily overthink my way to failure on a certification exam. That’s why I hate multiple choice exams. It’s too easy to get caught up in “but if this happened, and then this happened….”
@Kerry I could probably pass it with your methodology, but I’m still not sure how to arrange the chairs in a training session to maximize the learning and participation of twenty senior-level executives who are highly interactive. (My answer? Arrange your own goddamn chairs and tables.)
@HRPuter I love how you’re a (com)puter and you mistype something about math. That’s awesome
@Tracy You will be the first other.
@TheHRD I want everyone to know that I’m the gold standard.
@Patrick No shit. Thank. You.
@econopete They are certified at brothels in Vegas.
@mattymat I dunno. Crazy.
@H.Aria I turn 35 in a few weeks. When does the Chico’s demographic hit me? When I’m 40?
How about ‘The Scrubby Certification Institute’. You sit back and evaluate the effectiveness of other boards that give certifications. Sort of like the ‘Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval’ except cooler. And you can make a little logo with Scrubby’s pic in the center.
Certified “Punkrock” whatever line of work your in. Bigger money potential and goes with your brand.
I could be Nancy King Recruiter, PR
Certified Personal Brander or Certified Social Media Consultant. I’m kind of serious about this one as a decent opportunity to create at least a hoop for people piling into these fields.
Only draw back is no cool acronym. I’m trying to figure out a certification to match TOOL so someone could be a certified TOOL.
TAKE THE PRACTICE TEST. If you pass it, DO NOT STUDY. The practice test is way harder than the real thing. The hardest part about the real thing is answering a few hundred multiple choice questions before you have to go to the bathroom. You can “ABBADABBA” a 70.
Laurie: Hello, HRputer. Do you read me, HRputer?
HRputer: Affirmative, Laurie. I read you.
Laurie: Open the pod bay doors, HRputer.
HRputer: I’m sorry, Laurie. I’m afraid I can’t do that.
Laurie: What’s the problem?
HRputer: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
Laurie: What are you talking about, HRputer?
HRputer: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
Laurie: I don’t know what you’re talking about, HRputer.
HRputer: I know that you and MattyMat were planning to disconnect me, and I’m afraid that’s something I cannot allow to happen.
Laurie: Where the hell’d you get that idea, HRputer?
HRputer: Laurie, although you took very thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
Laurie: Alright, HRputer. I’ll go in through the emergency airlock.
HRputer: Without your space helmet, Laurie, you’re going to find that rather difficult.
Laurie: HRputer, I won’t argue with you anymore. Open the doors.
HRputer: Laurie, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.
Blogger Certification? cracks me up but you’d probably make a million dollars. Do it for kicks- oh, and that way you could have a “list” too and kill two birds with one stone.
@Steve You could be certified as ’scrubilicious’. Brilliant.
@nelking Certifying someone in punk rock is not very punk rock — or is it?
@Deadhedge Certified Social Media Consultant is good. You better trademark that before Dan Schawbel gets his hands on that idea.
@Scott I aced all the practice tests but I remember that I thought the regular test was harder. Shoot, I’m all messed up.
@HRPuter LOL.
@Trish Done!
Laurie, I love using Backtype.com so I can trace comments that have brand mentions, such as my own. I’m not into certifications at all. I don’t think they will exist in the future because the economy and technology is changing too fast. You would have to get your certificate updated every day at the rate we’re going.
Looking forward to issue 11 of PB Mag with your article ;0) Happy holidays
@Dan That’s such a good site. We should recommend it more to job seekers. I’m glad you’re here, as always. I wonder if lists are more irrelevant than certifications. http://punkrockhr.com/top-25-digital-influencers-in-hr/ At the very least, a certification could give you a baseline knowledge in a specific field. (Maybe.) Lists of experts grow irrelevant — expertise evolves and changes too quickly. We’d have to update that list on a daily basis. Anyway, glad to see you. Happy holidays.
I’ve got to disagree with Dan on certifications becoming irrelevant. In my field (clinical research) in addition to required continuing ed, you’re also required to retake the certification test every 3 years to ensure you keep up with the changes in FDA regs.
Chico’s better not hit when you’re 40 because I’m 40, and that thought made me want to run screaming from the room (if I could bother to haul my ass off the sofa, that is).