3 HR Certifications That Can Propel Your Career To The Next Level

by Robert Johnson Blogs on Latest News

The role of the ubiquitous HR professional has evolved over the years. While the profession itself has moved from process-centric to worker-centric, HR managers now spend their energies improving its organizational culture and employee engagement. Certifications are ideal for entry-level professionals to stay updated with the latest trends in human resource management. Here, we examine the different credentials HR professionals can pursue to improve their job or promotion prospects.

1. Associate Professional In Human Resources (APHR)

This certification offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute is ideal for entry-level professionals who’re graduates or undergraduates and fresh off college. Similarly, if you’re a non-HR professional and transitioning into an HR-related role, the APHR credential can be most helpful.

While you don’t need to come from an HR-related background, you must have a high school diploma or something equivalent. The course takes candidates through the basics of organizational culture, covering topics such as aligning its work culture with its values, mission, and vision, managing legal and regulatory requirements, understanding rules related to confidentiality, health, safety, and security.

While there may not be a substantial pay rise, an APHR certification can help you get a foot in the door, especially if you’re coming from a non-HR-related background. If you’ve joined your organization at the most basic level and looking for a promotion, the APHR credential is just what might move the needle in your favor.

2. SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM- CP)

The Society for Human Resources Management certification is one of the most popular credentials in the profession. It is designed for people who’ve been in the field for several years and are now seeking executive-level positions. To become an SHRM certified professionals, you must fulfill three different requirements, which vary depending on whether you’ve graduated with an HR-related degree or not.

If you hold a graduate degree, you must be currently working in an HR-related role or at least possess one year experience in an HR-related role and a bachelor’s degree, or at least three years in an HR role if you haven’t graduated yet. And if you possess less than a bachelor’s degree in any other profession (besides HRM), you must have at least 4 years of experience in an HR role.

SHRM -CP certified professionals are valued in every organization and reputable enough to guarantee a pay boost.

3. Senior Professional In Human Resources – International (SPHRi)

The Society offers the SPHRi certification for Human Resources Management. It is ideal for people who’ve been in the industry for a considerable time and are planning to move to the C-suite. They’re for those responsible for designing HR policy rather than implementing it.

If you hold an HR-related graduate degree, you must have at least 3 years of experience in an HR role and 4 hours if you own a non-HR-related degree.

The course covers workforce planning and employment, human resource development, regulations regarding compensation and benefits, understanding employee and labor relations, and business management.

Employees with SPHRi credentials are often considered for senior roles like Chief HR Officer, HR Director, HR Business Partner, etc.