Comments on: A Career Development Trifecta – Part III – Certifications

By: hr bartender

hr bartender — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:48:17 +0000

Thanks everyone for the comments and sharing your personal experiences. Countless hours have been spent debating certifications. A certification is valuable if the person getting it believes so. And, there will be many talented professionals who will choose not to certify. For the same reason…because they don’t want to.

By: HRJEFE

HRJEFE — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:13:21 +0000

I’ve never felt the need to obtain the SPHR certification and here’s why. I fell into HR and learned as I went along. I do not have a degree in HR but did take classes to obtain an HR certification from UCLA extension.

After that experience, where I could basically teach all the classes I was in, I realized that the only reason I would ever get another certification is to let others know that I know HR. Well, I decided that I don’t care about that and that they would learn by talking with me whether or not I knew HR.

I’m not knocking SHRM or others in HR that want/need that certification. It’s just for me it will not add anything to my professional standing or knowledge and I’m ok with that.

By: Rich DeMatteo

Rich DeMatteo — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:08:24 +0000

Great post – I just took and passed my PHR cert on 12/12. My grad program requires us to to pass the PHR before graduating. So, I was fortunate to kill two birds with a single stone last Saturday.

However, I question the PHR in my head, and my troubles lead me to writing a guest post over at Lance’s Rehaul.com. A lot of people weighed in with their opinion on the significance of the test and why it’s important to take it.

Many talked about how they most want to or have taken the PHR/SPHR in order to get a one up on other candidates. Others believed it was to commit to HR and prove they are serious about this profession.

I think everyone has their own path, but if they don’t have a reason like the ones you have mentioned, then why are they taking it?

By: pasmuz

pasmuz — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:54:30 +0000

Hi Sharlyn,
This was my response to a similar post on Rehaul’s guest post by
Rich DeMatteo. Nothing like co-opting my own thoughts:
Here is why I took the PHR exam:
Previous to receiving the certification, when I was between jobs, I had the experience–but I was considered a “B” candidate because of my education. I’m one of the folks who fell into HR. My degree is in History. “A” candidates were those with business degrees and experience.
I’m glad I did it because I really believe it helped me land a couple of key jobs that has brought me to this point now…in a HR role I love.
The test has a reputation for being difficult.
It shows that you are committed to learning about the profession. It used to be that once you past the test, you were a PHR for life. Now you have to recertify. To receive the proper credits, you have to continue to express your commitment to the profession. If you want to keep it, you have to continue to learn.
The interesting thing about the certification is the debate over its worthiness. I see both sides. For me, I’m glad I got it. I’m proud of it. It works for me. At the end of the day that’s all that matters.
I agree, take it for the right reason: because you want to.

By: Angela

Angela — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:03:50 +0000

Definitely. As a senior in college taking advantage of the student test-taking option before the 2011 changes, I’m taking the PHR in June because I want to gain more knowledge of the field beyond my HR and management classes and review what I’ve already learned. And, at the risk of sounding like a nerd, I’m more excited about my study plan and what I’m going to learn/apply in the future than actually passing the test (although I do intend to do so)!

Thanks for affirming that I am doing it for the right reasons — for me.

By: A Career Development Trifecta – Part III – Certifications | HRM Today

A Career Development Trifecta – Part III – Certifications | HRM Today — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:54:11 +0000

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By: Moses lopez

Moses lopez — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:41:42 +0000

Great article. Thanks for sharing your insights.