Becoming certified by the Society of Human Resources Management is an important step for HR professionals. Here are some reasons that HR certified employees become an asset to their employers.
1. Certification demonstrates knowledge of HR best practices.
Certified individuals must pass an exam based on SHRM BoCK, the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge. This standardized body of material is accepted all over the world as representing best practices for HR.
2. Certification prepares HR professionals for any situation.
HR has become a complex position that involves many different areas, including workplace rules, benefits, discrimination complaints, talent acquisition/hiring, and employee engagement, among others. Certification ensures that HR professionals are aware of these many areas and that they have developed competencies to manage them all.
3. Certification prepares HR professionals to lead the company in HR matters.
Employers can feel comfortable about the organization of the HR functions of the company when their HR professionals are SHRM-certified. SHRM is on the cutting edge of HR education so that companies can have confidence that their HR functions are following all the latest rules and guidelines as well as having a high level of competency. Certified HR employees will not only be able to lead the HR department, but contribute to the strategic direction of the company as well.
4. Certification shows experience in the HR field.
To sit for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam, HR professionals must have experience in HR for at least one to four years (three to seven years for SCP) depending on their degree. Employers will know that their HR professionals have not only the competencies taught through the exam preparation, but also have practical, hand-on experience in HR roles.
5. Certification will make HR staff well-rounded.
SCRM certification covers all the different aspects of HR management: organization, people, strategy, and workplace competencies as well as ethics, communication, and leadership. From risk management to how employees learn best, certification covers it all so that the company will be well-equipped to handle any situation that presents itself.
6. Certification will keep skills up to date.
Certification is not a one-time process, but leads to opportunities for ongoing education to keep up with the constant changes in the HR field. The process of maintaining certification will ensure that HR professionals are up to date with new information, and keep the company looped in on the most current developments in HR.
CCSU’s Office of Continuing Education is offering a SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP Certification Exam Prep Course for HR professionals who want to prepare for these rigorous exams. The course is taught by an SHRM member who has been through all levels of certification and remains active in the organization. Join our mailing list to get notifications about this and all future continuing education courses.