PHR/SPHR Exam For Dummies with Online Practice, 2nd Edition (2021)

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DownloadedfromStudyXY.com[=Ww+StudyXYoias.Za\Rr'BE\StudyAnythingThisContentHasbeenPostedOnStudyXY.comassupplementarylearningmaterial.StudyXYdoesnotendroseanyuniversity,collegeorpublisher.Allmaterialspostedareundertheliabilityofthecontributors.|8)www.studyxy.com

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PHR®/SPHR®ExamForDummies®,2ndEditionwithOnlinePracticePublishedby:JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,111RiverStreet,Hoboken,NJ07030-5774,www.wiley.comCopyright©2021byJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,Hoboken,NewJerseyPublishedsimultaneouslyinCanadaNopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,scanningorotherwise,exceptaspermittedunderSections107or108ofthe1976UnitedStatesCopyrightAct,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthePublisher.RequeststothePublisherforpermissionshouldbeaddressedtothePermissionsDepartment,JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,111RiverStreet,Hoboken,NJ07030,(201)748-6011,fax(201)748-6008,oronlineathttp://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.Trademarks:Wiley,ForDummies,theDummiesManlogo,Dummies.com,MakingEverythingEasier,andrelatedtradedressaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksofJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,andmaynotbeusedwithoutwrittenpermission.SATisaregisteredtrademarkoftheCollegeBoard,whichwasnotinvolvedintheproductionof,anddoesnotendorse,thisproduct.Allothertrademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespectiveowners.JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,isnotassociatedwithanyproductorvendormentionedinthisbook.LIMITOFLIABILITY/DISCLAIMEROFWARRANTY:WHILETHEPUBLISHERANDAUTHORHAVEUSEDTHEIRBESTEFFORTSINPREPARINGTHISBOOK,THEYMAKENOREPRESENTATIONSORWARRANTIESWITHRESPECTTOTHEACCURACYORCOMPLETENESSOFTHECONTENTSOFTHISBOOKANDSPECIFICALLYDISCLAIMANYIMPLIEDWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.NOWARRANTYMAYBECREATEDOREXTENDEDBYSALESREPRESENTATIVESORWRITTENSALESMATERIALS.THEADVICEANDSTRATEGIESCONTAINED

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HEREINMAYNOTBESUITABLEFORYOURSITUATION.YOUSHOULDCONSULTWITHAPROFESSIONALWHEREAPPROPRIATE.NEITHERTHEPUBLISHERNORTHEAUTHORSHALLBELIABLEFORDAMAGESARISINGHEREFROM.Forgeneralinformationonourotherproductsandservices,pleasecontactourCustomerCareDepartmentwithintheU.S.at877-762-2974,outsidetheU.S.at317-572-3993,orfax317-572-4002.Fortechnicalsupport,pleasevisithttps://hub.wiley.com/community/support/dummies.Wileypublishesinavarietyofprintandelectronicformatsandbyprint-on-demand.Somematerialincludedwithstandardprintversionsofthisbookmaynotbeincludedine-booksorinprint-on-demand.IfthisbookreferstomediasuchasaCDorDVDthatisnotincludedintheversionyoupurchased,youmaydownloadthismaterialathttp://booksupport.wiley.com.FormoreinformationaboutWileyproducts,visitwww.wiley.com.LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2020950196ISBN978-1-119-72489-6(pbk);ISBN978-1-119-72479-7(ebk);ISBN978-1-119-72490-2(ebk)

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PHR®/SPHR®ExamForDummies®withOnlinePracticeToviewthisbook'sCheatSheet,simplygotowww.dummies.comandsearchfor“PHR/SPHRExamForDummiescheatsheet”intheSearchbox.TableofContentsCoverTitlePageCopyrightIntroductionAboutThisBookFoolishAssumptionsIconsUsedinThisBookBeyondThisBookWheretoGofromHerePart1:GettingStartedwiththePHR/ISPHRExamChapter1:IntroducingthePHR/SPHRExam:JusttheBasics,PleaseSummarizingtheCertificationProcessPHRorSPHR:WhichExamIsRightforYouApplyingforYourExamKnowingWhattoExpectontheExamsPreparingtoTackletheExamTacklingthe24Hoursbefore,during.andaftertheExam

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ExaminingtheCoreSubjectAreasontheExamRememberingtheCoreKnowledgeRequirementsUnderstandingThatYouCan'tBeTaughttheExamChapter2:PreparingfortheExamConsideringExamWeightsbyFunctionalAreaPracticingforResultsBuildingaStudyPlanStrategyEmployingthePrinciples:GoingDeeperConsideringaStudyGroup:YesorNo?AskingYourEmployertoPayforCertificationUsingtheInternetforAdditionalResourcesApplyingCoreKnowledgeChapter3:IdentifyingtheQuestionTypesandStrategizingtoAnswerThemHavingaPlantoAnswertheQuestionsInterpretingtheContentWhileConqueringtheFormRecoanizingSpecialCircumstancesChapter4:SurvivingTestDayLeadingUp:TheDaysbeforetheTestTheTimeIsHere:ExamDayRememberingtheABCsofExamDayAftertheTest:WhattoExpectPart2:ManagingtheBasics:Pre-TestFundamentalsChapter5:CareerDay:LifeofaCertifiedHRProfessionalTrackingTrendsinHumanResourcesUsingtheStatisticsApplyingYourKnowledgeontheJobChapter6:ExaminingHRCI’sGlossaryofTermsDecidingHowtoStudyTheTermsPart3:TheInsandOutsofthePHRExam

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Chapter7:TheKeytoSuccess:PHR01BusinessManagementEyeingtheExamObjectivesFocusingonWhatYouNeedtoKnowaboutBusinessManagementHRCI'sCodeofEthicalandProfessionalResponsibilityRiskManagementManagingDataChapter8:FindingResources:PHR02TalentPlanningandAcquisitionNotingWhat'sImportantaboutTalentPlanningandAcquisitionRecoanizingWhatSubjectstoStudyLookingattheLifeCycleoftheEmployeeCreatingaRecruitingProcessSelectingtheRightEmployeesComparingOrientationtoOnboardingRecoanizingCommonReportsandToolsChapter9:SharpeningYourTools:PHR03LearningandDevelopmentIdentifyingWhat'sEssentialAboutLearningandDevelopmentExaminingWhatYouNeedtoKnowfortheExamRegardingLearningandDevelopmentChapter10:PayingYourDues:PHR04TotalRewardsIdentifyingtheExamObjectivesforTotalRewardsTacklingtheKeyPointsaboutTotalRewardsSelectingandCommunicatingEmployeeBenefitsTakingAdvantageofCommonReportsandToolsChapter11:ConnectingtheDots:PHR05EmployeeandLaborRelationsNavigatingEmployee&LaborRelationsFocusingonWhattheExamCoversinELRUsingPoliciesandProcedurestoCommunicatePart4:DiggingintotheSPHRExam

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Chapter12:BuildingtheFrame:SPHR01LeadershipandStrategyLeadership&StrategyExamObjectivesDirectingLeadershipandStrategyInitiativesTheEssenceofStrategyManagingRiskDesigningInterventionsManagingChangeStrategiesDeliveringthroughTechnologyChapter13:BridgingtheGap:SPHR02TalentPlanningandAcquisitionPreparingforTalentPlanningandAcquisitionDigqingDeeperintotheExamObjectivesWorkforcePlanningOverseeingtheStaffingFunctionIntegratingNewTalentEngagingEmployeesTerminationintheContextofTalentPlanningChapter14:ShapingtheResources:SPHR03LearningandDevelopmentExaminingWhatYouNeedtoKnowfortheExamAnalyzingBusinessNeedsActivatingTrainingSystemsUsingLearningandDevelopmentforRetentionChapter15:HarnessingtheValue:SPHR04TotalRewardsTotalRewardsExamObjectivesBreakingDowntheContentCreatingtheFrameworkChapter16:BuildingRelationships:SPHR05EmployeeRelationsandEngagementChartingExamContent

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MakingtheCaseforEngagementPart5:EmployingYourKnowledge:PracticeExamsChapter17:FacingtheChallenge:PHRPracticeExamAnswerSheetforPHRPracticeExamChapter18:AnswersandExplanationstoPHRPracticeExamAnswerKeyforPracticeExam|Chapter19:UsingYourSkillSet:SPHRPracticeExamAnswerSheetforSPHRPracticeExamChapter20:AnswersandExplanationstoSPHRPracticeExamAnswerKeyforPracticeExam|Part6:ThePartofTensChapter21:TenPHR/SPHRExamPitfallsandHowtoAvoidThemSittingfortheWrongExamUnderestimatingExamPreparationTimeUnlearningState-SpecificApplicationsGettingTrippedUp:ThePerilsofOverthinkingPlayingtheGuessingGameTrustingYourInstinctChangingAnswersFocusingTooMuchontheClockManagingDistractionsAvoidingMindTricksChapter22:Ten(orSo)StudyTipsfortheExamBodiesofKnowledgeBeingOrganizedandPlanningUsingOutlinesGoingOnlineInterviewingSubject-MatterExperts

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PresentingUnfamiliarExamObjectivesComparingHRBestPracticestoYourWorkExperienceDiscerningActionObjectivesfromKnowledgeObjectivesSpacingPracticeforSuccessKnowingWheretoFocusWhenStudyingLaborLawsAppendix:FederalEmploymentLawIndexAbouttheAuthorConnectwithDummiesEndUserLicenseAgreementListofTablesChapter1TABLE1-1FiguringOutWhichExamIsRightTABLE1-2IdealTraitsforPHRandSPHRCandidatesChapter2TABLE2-1PHRExamWeightsTABLE2-2SPHRExamWeightsChapter4TABLE4-1AcceptableversusUnacceptableNameVarianceChapter8TABLE8-1Time-of-HireApplicationofLaborLawTABLE8-2TheDifferencebetweenOrientationandOnboardingChapter9TABLE9-1RememberingWhyWhenDeterminingTrainingNeedsChapter14TABLE14-1TalentSummaryChapter15TABLE15-12019BLSDataonEmployeeBenefits,PrivateIndustry

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AppendixTABLEA-1TestPreparationSampleTABLEA-2ImportantEmploymentLawsandBureausTABLEA-3LawsSortedbyEmployerSizeListofIllustrationsChapter2FIGURE2-1:Thejourneyfromhazardassessmenttotrainingtheworkforce.FIGURE2-2:Asamplesafetytrainingmatrix.Chapter7FIGURE7-1:TheHRIS.Chapter8FIGURE8-1:Therecruitingprocess.Chapter9FIGURE9-1:Forceddistribution.FIGURE9-2:TheKirkpatrickmodel.FIGURE9-3:Anexampleflowchart.Chapter22FIGURE22-1:Anexampleofamindmaptouseforstudying.

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IntroductionIwrotethisbookforalltheHRprofessionalswhoareintentonleavingnostoneunturnedontheirquestforthePHRorSPHRdesignation.Itroundsouttheedgesofthepreparationprocess,seekingtokeepyouontrackandfocusedonthestepsnecessarytopass.PHR/SPHRExamForDummies,2ndEdition,alsoisareminderthatit’snotaboutwhatyouknowatthisstageintheprocess,butratherwhatyoudon’tknowthatrequiresyourfullattention.Thisbookisforthetenaciousandthecuriousandtheself-deprecating,possiblybecauseIfindhumilityanattractivetraitinindividualsgettingreadyforatoughtest.Thosetraitscankeepyourmindopenandyoureyesalert.Resolutecuriositycanforceyoutograbathreadandfollowitallthewaytotheend,whichistheabsolutebestwaytomasterandapplytheinformationthatyou’reabouttodiscoverwhilegettingreadyfortheseexams.AboutThisBookThefocusofPHR/SPHRExamForDummiesistoorientyou,theexperiencedHRprofessional,tothetaskathand:gettingreadytobecomeprofessionallycertified.Withpassrateslowandnerveshigh,thisguidebooktakesyouonyourpreparationjourney,servingasaresourcetogetyouorganizedandintroduceyoutokeyelementsofthesetests.InnootherpreparationresourcewillyoufindAnadvanceddiscussionoftheexamcontentoutlinesandtheirimportanceAreviewofhowtheknowledgeandobjectivesworktogetherInformationonhowtousetheinternettoenhanceyoureffortsAstudyoftheHRCertificationInstitute’s(HRCI)website(www.hrci.org)andtheexamcontentoutlineforcontentmarkers

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Furthermore,adultlearnerstendtodobetterwhentheyunderstandhowinformationappliestothem.Inthiscase,takinga50,000-footviewofkeyexamconceptsandexampreparationactivitiesallowsyoutotakecontroloftheexamprepprocess.Aswithanythingworthdoing,ahaphazard,unstructuredapproachtopreparationwon’tserveapositiveoutcome.Justasatruecareerisn’tanaccident,neitherissuccessfulcertification—ittakesbothplanningandstrategicexecution.Theprimarypurposeofyourexampreparationactivitiesistosuccessfullypassafairlydifficulttest.Forthisreason,Iincludetwosampletestsinthisbook—oneforthePHRandonefortheSPHR.Theseexamsaresimilartotheonethatyou’llseeontestday—175questionsdirectlyrelatedtotheexamcontentoutlines.AlthoughIprovidebubblesheetsforeasyuse,alsoconsiderputtingyouranswersonablankpieceofpapersoyoucanusethetestsagain...FoolishAssumptionsAssumptionsaresimplythingsthatIthinkIalreadyknowaboutyouthatguidedmydecisionsonwhattoincludeinthisbook.ForthePHRandSPHRexams,theyareasfollows:You'reanexperiencedHRprofessional.Becauseexameligibilityisbasedonyearsofpracticalexperience,evenwithabitofeducation,IknowthatyouknowthebasicsofHR.You'repreparingforanexam,notlookingforHRinajar.ThisbookisaboutwhatyouneedtodotopreparetotakeatestaboutHR.Itdoesn’tteachyouallyouneedtoknowaboutthefieldofhumanresources.Infact,thepurposeofthisbookistoguideyoutomultipleresourcesforexampreparation.Youhaveabaselineknowledgeofbusinessandmanagementprinciples.CorporateAmerica,smallbusinesses,andnonprofitsallhavesharedHRandbusinessneeds.Iassumethatyou’reaworkingprofessionalinoneofthesecategoriesandunderstandbusinesstermssuchasstrategyandorganizationalstructure.

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Youknowhowtoconductinternetresearch.Somuchofwhatyouneedtopassthetestscanbefoundonline,andIencourageyouthroughoutthebooktodoso.ProbablythemostimpressiveassumptionImakeaboutyouisthatyou'reself-motivated,driven,anddetermined.Successfulperformersaren’tgenerallysatisfiedwiththestatusquo.Ifyou'rereachingouttotakeoneofthesetests,you'reamongthoseindividualswhodemandmoreoutofthemselvesandbyextension,yourpreparationresources.Forthisreasoninthisbook,Irecommendaddingstudytime,admonishyoutotakeanexpandedviewofatopic,andencourageyoutocreateotherdimensionstothecontent.Youmustfinditandtouchitandinterpretityourselftofullygraspthenuancesoftheexamcontent.Thisprocessrequiresthatyoutakecontrolofyourstudytimeandresources.Leavingittoasingleauthororonlyyourpastworkexperienceisn’tenoughtogetyouthrough.Ineedyoutotapintothatdriveandcommittodoingwhatittakestopassthefirsttimearound,oratleastbeaheckofalotbetterforitaftertheprocess...IconsUsedinThisBookConsistentwiththeForDummiesseriesistheuseofspecialicons.Theyserveasmarkersforinformationthatmaybeofincreasedimportanceorinteresting.Iincorporatethefollowingicons:Ingeneral,Iusethisiconwhenyouhaveaspecialopportunitytoapplyabehaviorinitseasiestform.Inmostcases,atipcansaveyoubothtimeandenergy,buildingupontheexperienceofthoseindividualswhohavegonebeforeyou.Iusethisicontoreinforceanimportantprinciple.Payattentiontothisinformationbecauseit’simportant.

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ThisicondirectsyoutosomeexamplesofthetypesofquestionsthatappearonthePHRandSPHRexams.Italsogivesyouexamplesofhowthecontentmayberepresentedintheworkplace.Theinformationflaggedbythisiconmaytripyouup.Thewarningmaybeduetoatopic’scomplexity,levelofdifficulty,orcommonlyreportedmistakes..BeyondThisBookInadditiontothecontentofthisbook,youcanviewsomerelatedmaterialonline,includingadditionalinformationabouteachexam.YoucanaccessafreeCheatSheetatdummies.com.Justtype“PHR/SPHRExamForDummiescheatsheet”inthesearchbox.Anaddedfeaturetotheonlinecontentistwoadditionalexamstosupportyourlearning.Takingmultiplepracticeexamsisanabsolutemustasyougetreadyforseveralreasons:Theexamlevelofdifficultyrequiresthatyou’refamiliarwithquestionphrasingandmultiple-choicesetup.Keepinmindthatthesequestions,alsocalleditems,canbehighlysituational.Takingpracticeexamscanremovethatelementofsurprise.Answerdistractorsarecommonobstaclestoapassingscore.Myonlinepracticeexamshelpconditionyourbraintorecognizeandeliminatetheobviouswronganswers,increasingyourchanceofmakingacorrectselection.Theonlinepracticetestsincludeadescriptionoftherightandwronganswers,whichmakesthepracticeexamsextremelyvaluable,becausethey’remuchmorethananotherbankofquestions.Takingtheseexamsalsohelpsyoumastercontent.StudyXY

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Thegeneralrecommendationisthatyoucan’ttaketoomanypracticeassessments,andthisbookplustheonlinecontentisanexcellentplacetostart.Togainaccesstoadditionaltestsandpracticeonline,allyouhavetodoisregister.Justfollowthesesimplesteps:1.Registeryourbookore-bookatDummies.comtogetyourPIN.Gotowww.dummies.com/go/getaccess.2.Selectyourproductfromthedrop-downlistonthatpage.3.Followthepromptstovalidateyourproduct,andthencheckyouremailforaconfirmationmessagethatincludesyourPINandinstructionsforloggingin.Ifyoudonotreceivethisemailwithintwohours,pleasecheckyourspamfolderbeforecontactingusthroughourTechnicalSupportwebsiteathttp://support.wiley.comorbyphoneat877-762-2974.Nowyou'rereadytogo!Youcancomebacktothepracticematerialasoftenasyouwant—simplyloginwiththeusernameandpasswordyoucreatedduringyourinitiallogin.Noneedtoentertheaccesscodeasecondtime.WheretoGofromHereOneofthereasonswhypreparingforthisexamhasbeenreportedtobedifficultisthesheervolumeofreadingthatisrequired.Thisbookcanhelpabitwithallthatreading.Thisbookismodularinthatyoudon’thavetoreaditinorderfromcovertocover.Feelfreetopickandchoosethebitsthatyouthinkwillserveyoubest.Iwroteitsothatyoucanpickanychapterandbeginreading.Totheorderedmind,doingsomaybeanunusualprospect,sogoaheadandproceedinchapterorder—thecontentwillbearuptothepressure.Forthoseofyouwhoareonlyinterestedincertainexamelements,youhavecometotherightplace.Feelfreetobouncearoundorevenbeginatthe

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endbystartingwithapracticeexamtosimplyseehowyoufare.Thatmayhighlightforyouacorrectstartingpointforyouruniquepreparationneeds.Ifyouneedsomehelpinfindingsomewheretobegin,scanthetableofcontentsortheindex,findafewtopicsthatinterestyou,andjumpin.Regardlessofwhereyoubegin,theabsolutefirstandmostimportantstepistobuildastudyplan.Thisbookisfullofusefultipsandinformationtofillintheblanksofaplan,somaximizeyourinvestmentbytakingheedandwritingdownyourplans.Whatgetsmeasuredgetsdone,sostrengthenyouroddsbygettingorganized.

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Part1GettingStartedwiththePHR/SPHRExam

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INTHISPART...GetafirmgraspofthestructureforthePHRandSPHRsothatyoucanbegintoprepareaplanofattacktostudyfortheexam.Figureouttheexameligibilitytoensurethatyou'requalifiedtotaketherightexam.Knowhowtotalktoyourbossabouttakingthetestandhowyoumaypersuadehertopayforthetest.Selectproperresourcessoyoumaximizeyourstudyeffortsandhaveaccesstowhatyouneedtoknowinpreparingforapassingscore.IdentifythedifferenttypesofquestionsonthePHRandSPHRinordertobeabletofigureoutthebestwaytoanswerthem.Familiarizeyourselfwiththeinsandoutsoftestdaytomakesurethatyoushowupreadytogo.

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Chapter1IntroducingthePHR/SPHRExam:JusttheBasics,PleaseINTHISCHAPTERLookingatthecertificationprocessFiguringoutwhichtestyouneedtotakeandsigningupSeeinghowtheexamisstructuredandscoredGettingreadytostartPerusingcoreexamcontentPreparingtositforeithertheProfessionalinHumanResources(PHR)ortheSeniorProfessionalinHumanResources(SPHR)exammeansthatyou’reinvestinginyourselfthroughprofessionalcertificationtodifferentiateyourtalentfromtherestofthepack.Itindicatesaprofessionalcuriosityandcommitmenttoexcellencethatcharacterizesthehumanresources(HR)profession.Infact,thePHRandtheSPHRremaintwoofthemostsought-afterdesignationsintheHRindustry.ThisisdemonstratedbyaDowJones/Inc.Magazinestudythatfoundthat93percentofFortune500companiesemployHRCIcertificationholders.Thereasonstobecomecertifiedaremany.Personally,youmaybeseekingvalidationofyourknowledgeandcompetencies.Professionally,youmaydesiremorejobresponsibilitiesorpayincreases.Regardlessofyourreasons,earningthedesignatoryletters(PHRorSPHR)toplacenexttoyournameisthemarkofaskilledandcompetentprofessional.Thischapterservesasyourlaunchpadtotherestofthebookandyourjourneytowardthetitle.SummarizingtheCertification

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ProcessSittingfortheexamisbutonestepinyourjourneytowarddemonstratingprofessionalexcellence.Thereareseveralstepsbefore(andrecertifyingafter)thatmustbepartofyourplanningprocess.TheHumanResourceCertificationInstitute(HRCI)definesthesixstepsthatarerequiredforsuccessfulcertification:1.Meettheexameligibilityrequirements.2.Completetheapplicationprocess.3.Scheduleyourexamappointmentatanapprovedtestingcenter.4.PreparefortheexamusingtheExamContentOutline(ECO).5.Followthestrictproceduresonexamday.6.Applyforrecertificationthroughcontinuingeducationandothermeans.Iexploreeachofthesestepsthroughoutthisbook.PHRorSPHR:WhichExamIsRightforYouOneofthefirstdecisionsyou’llhavetomakeiswhichexamtotake.TheHumanResourceCertificationInstitute(HRCI)offerseightaccrediteddesignationsinthefieldofhumanresources.Forpurposesofthisstudyguide,Idiscusstheinstitute’sflagship(andmostpopular)accreditations:theProfessionalinHumanResources(PHR)andtheSeniorProfessionalinHumanResources(SPHR).Beforeselectingtheproperexam,youmustfirstdetermineyoureligibility.ExameligibilityThePHRandtheSPHRarebothknowledge-andcompetency-based,andthusrequireyoutocompleteacertainnumberofprofessional-levelyearsofworkbeforebeingeligibletositfortheexam.ThePHRexamis

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recommendedforindividualswithabroadknowledgeoftheoperationalsideoftheHRhouse,andthosewithatleastonetofouryearsofrelatedexperience(dependentuponlevelofeducationcompleted).TheSPHRexamisbettersuitedforindividualswithabackgroundinstrategicHRmanagement,validatedbyfourtosevenyearsofprofessionallevelexperienceoreducation.HRCIdefinesprofessional-levelexperienceasrolesthatincludeTheabilitytouseindependentjudgmentanddiscretioninperformingworkduties.AlevelofspecializedknowledgeintheHRfieldwithsomeauthorityfordecision-making.In-depthworkrequirements,suchasdatagathering,analysisandinterpretation.Interactionwithabroadrangeofindividuals,includingkeypersonnel.Individualaccountabilityforresults.Youdon’tneedacollegedegreeinhumanresourcestobeeligibletotakethePHRandSPHRexams.HRCI’sCertificationHandbookidentifiesthefulleligibilityrequirementsforthePHRandSPHRexams.It’sdefinitelyworthreviewingwhileyou’remakingyourdecision.Table1-1givesyouasummaryofthatinformation.TABLE1-1FiguringOutWhichExamIsRightAminimumofoneyearofexperienceinaAminimumoffouryearsofexperienceinaprofessional-levelHRpositionwithamaster'sprofessional-levelHRpositionwithamaster'sdegreeorhigherdegreeorhigher.ororAminimumoftwoyearsofexperienceinaAminimumoffiveyearsofexperienceinaprofessional-levelHRpositionwithabachelor'sprofessional-levelHRpositionwithabachelor’s+Studyxy

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degreedegreeororprofessional-levelHRpositionwithlessthanaprofessional-levelHRpositionwithlessthanabachelor'sdegreebachelor'sdegreeTheCheatSheetfoundatwww.dummies.comisyourgo-toresourcetohelpyoupicktherighttest(Justtype“PHR/SPHRExamForDummiescheatsheet”inthesearchbox).Itincludesinformationrelatedtoalltheexameligibilityrequirementsandassessingtheamountoftimeyouhaveavailabletostudy.Ifneitheroftheseexamsseemsrightforyou,don'tforgetaboutthesixothercertificationsavailablefromHRCI.Forexample,theAssociateinHumanResources(aPHR)isagreatchoiceforthosejustbeginningtheircareerinthehumanresourcefield.ItisidealforthosewithnopreviousHRexperience,asitdoesnotrequireprofessional-levelexperiencetobeeligiblefortheexam.ManystudentsusethesamepreparationmaterialforthePHRexam,andreportgreatsuccess—nottomentionasignificantknowledgeboostandjumpstartfortheirnextcertification!ComparingthetwoexamsTakingtherightexamhasaneffectonmorethansimplymakingthepreparationprocesslessstressful.Choosingtheappropriatetestalsocanimpactyourfuturejobperformanceandearningspotential.Thinkaboutapplyingforanupper-levelHRjobthatrequiresexposure,experience,andproblem-solvinginbusinessmanagementandstrategythatmaybevalidatedbytheSPHRcredential.SupposethatyousqueakbytheSPHRexamandaresuccessfullycertified.IfyougetthejobbasedonanSPHRcredentialbutdon’thavethedepthandbreadthofpracticalexperiencethatgoesalongwithit,morethanlikelyyou’llstruggleintherole.Takingtherightexamalsoallowsyoutoengageintheproperrecertificationactivities.

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Theprofessionalcertificationprocessisaninvestmentinyourcareer,notaone-timeshotatacredential.StartingwiththePHRisperfectlyreasonable(it’swhatIdid).Youcangetthebaselineunderyourbeltandthen,assumingyoumeettheeligibilityrequirements,chaseaftertheSPHRinthefollowingyearortwo.TheknowledgegainedbystudyingandrecertifyinghasservedmanyHRprofessionalswelltimeandtimeagain,openingdoorsthatwouldhaveremainedclosedwithoutthecredentials.HRCIdefinestheidealcandidateforeachexam.Table1-2providesthisinsighttohelpyoumaketherightchoice.Justbecauseyoucandoesn’tmeanthatyoushould.Forexample,justbecauseyouhave20yearsofexperienceasarecruiterdoesn’tnecessarilymeanthatyou'rereadytotaketheSPHRexam.Forthisreason,youshouldconsiderthebreadthofyourexperience,notjustyourspecialties,andplanaccordingly.TABLE1-2IdealTraitsforPHRandSPHRCandidatesThecandidatereportstoanotherHRThecandidateisresponsiblefortheHRfunctionattheprofessional.company,eitherindependentlyorwithstaff.Thecandidate'sjobresponsibilitiesThecandidatemanagestherelationshipsnecessarytoimpactthefunctionofHRratherthantheachieveorganizationaloutcomes,includingwithemployeescompanyasawhole.andwithindepartments.Thecandidatedoesn’thaveprogressiveThecandidateunderstandsbothgeneralbusinessHRexperienceduetolengthoftimeinprinciplesandindustry-specificconventions(bothHRandtheindustry.theircompanyindustries).Ageneralrule:UseHRCI’syearsofexperiencequalifierandapplyittothetoptwoareasofexamcontent,whichlookssomethinglikethis:PHR:ForthePHR,about60percentoftheexamcontentisintheareasofEmployee&LaborRelations(39percent)andBusiness+Studyxy

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Management(20percent),Aimfortheminimumyearsofexperiencerequirementsineachofthesetopareas.Forexample,ifyouhaveamaster’sdegree,youshouldbefineifyouhaveoneyearofappliedexperienceinEmployee&LaborRelationsand1yearofexperienceinBusinessManagement(assumingyouareotherwiseeligible).SPHR:FortheSPHR,morethanhalftheexamcontentisbuiltfromthefunctionalareasofLeadershipandStrategy(40percent)andEmployeeRelations&Engagement(20percent).Forsomeonewithlessthanabachelor’sdegree,thisinformationtranslatestosevenyearsofexperienceineachofthesetopfunctionalareas.Thesetipsareforstudypurposesonly—remember,everyoneisdifferent,andeachexamhasitsowneligibilityrequirements.Forthetime-pressedprofessional,spendalargerpercentageofyouravailablestudytimeinthesetoptwofunctionalareas.Don’tquicklydismissthesepercentagesasoverkill.Takeamomentandlookattheexampassrates(69percentPHRand60percentSPHRin2019)orreadtheonlineforumsoffailedexamtakerscondemningHRCIforexamleveldifficulty.Considerjustforamomentthatdilutingtheexamvaluebymakingiteasierislesseffectivethanindividualssimplychoosingtherightexamandproperlypreparingthefirsttime.It’salsoworthnotingthatprofessionalexamsforInformationTechniciansandParalegalssharesimilarlevelsofdifficulty.Wouldyouhireoneoftheseprofessionalsifanovicecouldpasstheircertificationexamwithlittleprepordemonstratedexperience?Ofcoursenot.IfweasHRprofessionalsaretobecrediblebusinesspartnersourexamsmustbethoroughanddemonstrateexcellence.Dothepreparationwork—youwillbebetterforit.Makingyourdecision:Certificationisajourney,notanevent

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ManyindividualsbelievethatiftheymeettheSPHRexameligibilityrequirements,thentheyshouldstartthere.However,thisassumptionshouldbecarefullyconsideredforthreereasons:IfyoutaketheSPHRandfailitthefirsttimearound,you’llhavetopayasecondexamfeetotakeitagain(unlessyoubuyinsurance).Ifyou'renotsure,startwiththePHR.YouwillbenefitfromgatheringabaselineofknowledgeandthencangoroundtwowiththeSPHRonfirmground.PassingthePHRfirstandthentakingtheSPHRisamuchbetteruseofyourexamfeedollars,andmostimportantly,itspreadsyourlearningoutoveranextendedperiodoftime.Thisimpactslong-termretentionforcareerapplication.Attheendoftheday,careerprogressionandmasteryreallyisthepointofputtingyouthroughtheprocess.Dependingontheamountoftimethatyouhaveavailabletostudy,reachingfortheSPHRfirstmaymakeforanunnecessarilystressfulexampreparationprocess.Unlessyouhaveunlimitedtimetostudyandveryfewotherobligationssuchasworkandfamily,spreadingyourcertificationeffortsovertimeisperfectlyreasonable.Romewasn’tbuiltinaday,andneitherisyourcareer.Bothexamsrequirerecertificationcreditswithagoaloflifelonglearning.InsteadofrecertifyingyourPHRexamwithwebinarsandclasses,takethetimetostudyandsuccessfullypasstheSPHRexam.Renewal,refreshment,andmostimportantly,relevancearethekeystoasuccessfulcareerinHR,andthispathallowsforallthree.Stillundecided?Thebestwaytoknowwhereyoustandistoinvestinacoupleofpracticeexams,whicharedesignedtoassessyourlevelofknowledgebeforeanystudyingorpreparationhasoccurred.Don’tworryifyoudon’tpassthepracticetest;passingonyourfirstorevensecondtimeisn’tthegoal.Thepurposeistomeasurewhereyouareatsoyoucananticipatewhatitwilltaketogetyoutoapassingscoreandwhatsubjectmaterialsyouneedtospendtimestudying.

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Ifyou'retrulyundecided,takebothaPHRandanSPHRpracticetestandcomparescores.Thisinvestmentisworthwhileandmayverywellgiveyoutheanswerthatyou’researchingfor.Attheveryleast,you’llnowbereadytocreateastudyplanthattargetsyourlowscores.Ifyouarereallyworried,considerpurchasingsecondchanceinsurance(SCI)whenyousubmityourexamapplication.SCIisanoptional,prepaidinsurancepolicythatallowyoutoretakethesameexamwithoutanyadditionalfeesorhavingtoreapply.YoucanfindapracticePHRtestinChapter17andanSPHRtestinChapter19.(Chapter18providestheanswerexplanationsforthepracticePHRtest,andtheSPHRanswerexplanationsareinChapter20.)YoucanalsofindPHRandSPHRpracticetestsonlineatwww.dummies.com/go/getaccess.(SeetheIntroductionformoreinfoontheonlinepractietests.)ApplyingforYourExamNowthatyouhavemadethetoughdecisiononyourexam-of-choice,it’stimetocompletetheapplicationprocess.ItbeginsbycreatinganaccountatHRCI.org.Thisisimportant,astheaccountwillbewhereallthedetailsofyourcertificationjourneywillbehousedgoingforward—includingwhereyoulogrecertificationcreditsaftersuccessfulcertification.CompletingyourapplicationonlineTheapplicationprocessbeginsbyinputtingyourcertificantinformation.Theseareyourpersonaldetails,butpleasenote:Thefullnameyouenterheremustmatchthenameonyourlegal,unexpired,valid,government-issuedidentificationdocuments,suchasadriver’slicenseorpassport.GettingthissteprightiscriticaltoavoidahassleonexamdaywhenyouarerequiredtopresentproofofIDbeforebeingallowedtotest.Loggingyoureducationandexperiencecomesnext.Thisstepwillbeusedtodetermineyoureligibilitytositforyourchosenexamandwillbe

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subjecttoauditandverification.Failuretoaccuratelyinputthisdatacouldresultinyourapplicationbeingrejectedornullified.Remembertologexperiencethatisrelatedtohumanresources,evenifyoudidnotholdanHRtitlewhenperformingthetasks.Thinkaboutit—howmany“supervisors”doyouknowthatarerequiredtohire,discipline,andmakedecisionsaboutpay?Thisisallcredible,additionalexperienceforpurposesofdeterminingwhetheryouhavetheexperientialchopstomastertheexam.Ifyoudon'tqualifybasedonnumberofyearsofexperienceoreducation,applyfortheaPHR!It’sperfectformanagerswithjobfunctionsotherthanHRandentry-levelHR,anditdoesn’thavethesameprofessional-levelexperiencerequirementsasthePHRandSPHR.Fromhere,it’saboutthemoney!Whilethefeescanchange,asof2020theapplicationfeeforbothexamswas$100.Theexamfeesare$395USDforthePHR$495USDfortheSPHRAcoupleoftimesayear,HRCIoffersdiscountsontheapplicationfee(nottheexamfee).ConsiderfollowingthemonsocialmediasuchasTwitter(@HRCI_Official)andLinkedIn(HRCIinAlexandria,VA),wheretheyadvertisethesespecials.Ialsoretweettheirstuffregularlyalongwithothernuggetsofexampreparationresources.FindmeonTwitterat@mat_schwartz.Onceyourapplicationhasbeensubmitted,youwillreceiveaconfirmationofreceiptfromHRCIwithinonebusinessday.Youwillreceiveaseparateemailwithyourapplicationstatus.Youmustwaituntilyoureceiveyour“authorizationtotest”email,whichisthegreenlighttogoaheadand

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scheduleyourexamdate.Approvedexameligibilityisvalidfor120calendardays.Thismeanstheexammustbescheduledandtakenwithinthosefourmonthsorthecandidatewillhavetoreapply—andpaythefeesagain!SchedulingtheexamonlineAsof2020,HRCIpartnerswithPearsonVUEtodeliverthePHRandSPHRexam(moreonthisinChapter4).Gotopearsonvue.com/hrcitoscheduleyourtest-dayappointmentusingthesamelegalnamefromyourHRCIregistration,theHRCI9-digiteligibilityIDfoundonyourHRCIapplicationsummary,yourphonenumber,theexamtype,andfinally,yourpreferreddate,time,andlocation.AnyexamreschedulingmustbedonewithPearsonVUE,andthereisanonrefundablereschedulingfee.DuringtheCovid-19pandemicof2020,HRCIreceivedtemporaryapprovaltoofferremote-proctoredexams.Itisunclearwhetherthispracticewillbecontinued.Priortothepandemic,boththePHRandSPHRhadtobetakenataproctoredPearsonVUEphysicallocation.KnowingWhattoExpectontheExamsAnticipationisoftenworsethantheactualexperience,whichseemstoholdparticularlytrueforboththePHRandSPHRexamday.ThechaptersinPart1areallaboutsharingwithyouwhattoexpectonthebigday.Thefollowingsectionsgiveyouaquickoverview.

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