HRGuru

I think that the Certification is a plus, but actually having the experience to back it up is a bigger plus.  I have worked my way up the Corporate Ladder without a certification.  But not having it is like a thorne in my side.  It is something that I want to accomplish. 

I received the PHR in November 2007 and my current company does not see the benefit of it (we are very small). They view my Masters degree as being more valuable. I guess it just depends on the environment in which you work in. I opted to get both (PHR and M.S.) not only for my own development, but also for "hopefully" giving me an edge over other candidates if I ever start looking again.

PJin..... you drive a great point home! We definitely need to educate the general public on the HR profession.

Hi all! I have my B.S. in HR Management and I am going to school now for my Masters in HR Management. I've been told that with my schooling I'd have no problem passing the PHR exam. I'm wondering what you all think? Would I be able to pass using my existing knowledge or is an extra prep course essential??

I have been in HR for 5 years and have actively progressed in knowledge and experience. The more I wanted to dedicate myself to the field, the more I searched for ways to show an employer that I have done just that. I received my MBA with a concentration in HR Management and I decided to take the PHR this year and passed. It was the hardest test I have ever taken in my entire life. But in studying for it and taking the test , it proved to me why people who actually know what it is admire the people that have the certification. The test is not about knowing definitions or catch phrases. You HAVE to know how to apply what you have learned whether it be by experience or education. The test for me proves (even if its just to myself) that I know a little bit about what I'm talking about 5 days a week. And I love having that confidence. The certification is more than worth it. It's an investment in your future!

Thanks Sir Frey!!!

Hey Jen Kilwinski... Don't just go on education!!! I have all of the degrees you listed and still studied for 8 months and I was scared to death!!! Get books, network with people that have the SHRM learning system if you cannot afford it.

Study questions, questions, questions..... Just reading the material was not enough.. You have to know the method to their madness of the way they  phrase those questions.

It is not a picnic.. not trying to scare you, but everybody I asked could not tell me that it was easy and that they passed it with such ease (even though i wanted to find one person to say that, i searched and i did not)

But you will do great :)

Good Luck.

I am totally agree that a practicle certificcation is a must for every professional.

LHobbs,

With some of the watering down of the certification experience requirements over the years, I believe the certification is not as "tell-tale" a marker of SKAAs as it was before, especially as it relates to the PHR level.  And I agree that too many people at HRCI / SHRM often view the need to keep the number of certifications growing as a means of money-generation.

However,  there is a definite value in the certification.  If I had to stake my job and my reputation on hiring either a) a 3 yr HR Administrator with a BS in an HR related field other than business or marketing and a Masters in any HR field, or b) a 6 year HR manager with SPHR certification and the real experience behind it, the hands-down answer for me would be the certification.    Book knowledge is great, but it doesn't make up for true experience.   I think the key issue is "true" experience.   Some people say they have "done" things when all they may have actually done is watched from the sidelines or played a diminutive role but are claiming full credit on their resume.    

And I'm not a degree-bashing person either.  I believe to be the best that we can be in HR we need tons of both.   I have other degrees besides my BS (which I only list on my resume, not my title), I just choose not to mention them because it sounds too pompous.

Angie,

I hear you!  That is such a common complaint from people like us who obtained the certs so many years ago.    Can't say I blame you for dropping it.

Jen, also practise taking timed tests.  It will help you get used to answering questions quickly.  Many people run short on time and nervousness and anxiety push adrenaline through the system and adrenaline alters one's system of logic making the questions seem tougher than normal.  It brings over analysis and second-guessing which are deadly to test taking.  

True Vannatti !

Test taking is a skill and it can be learned and improved upon.   In fact, when I teach my PHR/SPHR Certification Prep classes, about 40% of the class is about test taking skills.   My students tend to pass in the high 80 percentiles, unlike the HRCI typical passing ratios of 60 percentile and less.

Where is Washington state do you take this test? is there a place near Olympia WA? or a phone number for some sample tests?

Thank you for all your help to allllllll!!

I've worked in HR for about five-six years, and I passed the PHR in June. However, I'm still finding that in my current position (which ends in 5 days, EEK!) and in my job search, I'm being overlooked because I don't have a degree. I dropped out of college in 2002 because even with loans I couldn't afford it. I paid back the loans, and started back at a different (and more affordable) school in 2006, but lost about two years worth of credits, OUCH! Even though I will have my degree in about two years, no one seems willing to even talk to me, despite the experience and the certification. :o(

For those interested in a study course for the PHR or SPHR, visit:

http://www.hrguru.com/topics/422-sphr-phr-study-course/posts