According to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupational outlook for HR professionals looks quite promising. The general projections indicate a growth rate for the job category of around 17% between 2006 and 2016. The office considers that the projected growth is faster than average when all occupations are taken into account. For anyone considering a career in HR or staying in the field, that should be good news.
After all, job security is not easy to achieve in any career, and government statistics can serve as a respectable source of confirmation. From that point of view, the decision to enter or remain in the HR industry appears to be the right one. However, to grow within the field and explore pathways to upward mobility, questions about credentials and certifications come into play.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers two levels of certification, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). SHRM also offers the Global Professional in Human Resources for those with international responsibilities. The California Human Resources Certification is for those who plan to work in the state and are not familiar with California labor and human resources laws.
Now let’s ask the real questions. Are certifications required to be successful in business? Do they translate into higher income? Are they worth the investment of time and money? What are the facts?
In a press release dated June 22, 2008, the HR Certification Institute, affiliated with SHRM, announced the findings of a recent study called the Survey on the Value of Certification. The survey, which surveyed more than 3,000 certified and non-certified HR professionals, revealed that one in two hiring managers prefer certified HR professionals. The report also shows that 44% of respondents feel that certified HR professionals create a positive impact on the financial results of their company. In fact, all the statistics from the survey showed the benefits of certification.
However, what he did not disclose are statistics showing that certified HR professionals enjoy higher incomes than their non-certified colleagues. The lack of scientific studies on salaries allows us to conclude that, in terms of compensation, it may not be more valuable than years of industry experience or a formal HR degree.
On the contrary, that is not to say that employers do not respect the value of human resources certification, they simply do not require it as a hiring guideline. In a very unscientific survey, we examined five different HR job postings on the largest employment website on the internet. Positions ranged from entry-level HR to director. The results regarding the certification requirement ranged from “PHR useful but not mandatory” to “PHR certification strongly preferred”.
When making the decision to certify or not, consider how strong credentials would appear on a resume. And the fact that certification can greatly increase your chances of passing the selection process. Something to also consider is how much an employer weighs your worth when evaluating candidates for a promotion.
The cost of certification is another important factor. According to the same study conducted by the HR Certification Institute, 59% of those who are already certified say that their organization encourages them to seek certification. Only 34% of non-certified professionals report receiving encouragement. Of those professionals, 55% say their employer will pay for the training, compared to 78% of certified professionals.
When an employer leaves the cost to the employee, it is even more important and requires further examination. The cost of PHP is in the neighborhood of $ 1,000 and that includes the learning system, class, and registration fees. The investment of time is also clearly important. The class alone is a 40 hour course and that does not include study time.
Taking the facts into account, here’s how one VP of Human Resources summed it up: “Certification is valuable to everyone, but common sense dictates that the financial value is greatest for those early in their careers. at the HR manager level or less, and you can take the time to get certified, do it now. You will set yourself apart from the herd, whether you plan to stay forever in your HR department or intend to change jobs and company in the coming years. ” That seems like excellent advice, especially coming from someone close to the peak of their career.