Certification Class October

September is a special month for many reasons. It starts off with Labor Day, the well-known U.S. holiday that celebrates workers contributions. Children go back to school, wearing new sneakers and toting new backpacks. September also signals shorter days and longer nights as we near the autumnal equinox.

Most of all, it points us to a place on the calendar that has the potential to instill fear in many of us. It is a reminder that the year has only four months remaining and our lofty goals for 2022 might fall short if we do not pick up the pace, immediately.

Recently, I ran an informal poll on LinkedIn and Twitter to see what is on the minds of HR professionals. The question asked was: “What’s your professional development plan for the balance of 2022?” Within hours, a clear majority emerged for certification or recertification, followed by events or networking. The gap between these two options was significant, with 53 percent saying certification and recertification mattered most. Roughly 30 percent said events, 11 percent favored mentorship and 6 percent had other plans. When it comes to signals, I think we found our winner.

Certification is a career-long commitment that demonstrates dedication, credibility and mastery of the principles of human resources. It benefits the HR professional, as well as employers, clients, staff members and professional peers around the globe. Most of all, certification attests to the investment you have made in your HR career and holds a recognized and highly valued place in the profession.

Did you know that more than 500,000 HR professionals in over 125 countries have earned HRCI credentials? A mark of high distinction and honor in the human resource management field, the HRCI community of credentialed professionals represents all levels of HR job experience and seniority. VPs, directors, managers and specialists have been certified for their knowledge of HR operations, recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, development and retention and employee relations, health and safety. Even organizations are getting in on certification following the launch of the Human Resource Standards Institute (HRSI) earlier this year.

Why is all of this so important to our industry? Opportunity. The HR career track is experiencing steady growth; the number of human resources workers in the United States is predicted to increase 15 percent by 2025. Organizational complexity is also increasing, making the role of the HR professional even more complicated.

HR’s Sprint to the 2022 Finish Line

BY AMY SCHABACKER DUFRANE

Getting back to September and the time remaining in 2022; you might be asking whether it is feasible to apply for your aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, PHRi™, SPHR®, SPHRi™, and GPHR® exams. It is, and testing is offered year-round. Once a candidate meets the eligibility criteria, the candidate can submit an exam application and select a test date.

It has been my experience that applying project management design principles to your certification or recertification journey helps maximize your time. First, do what is needed and adds value. Since certified HR professionals not only command respect, have more career advancement opportunities and might even see a pay boost, I think we can all agree on its value. Next, is it fit for purpose? Most definitely. HR professionals who have invested in their certifications amass skills that support the workforce and organizational goals. Speaking of goals, determining if the effort involved will align with strategic objectives is another “pas de prise de tête” or no-brainer. This reminds me to mention that HRCI exams are available in various languages.

With much of 2022 in the rear-view mirror, many of us are concerned about what we can accomplish as we rush to the finish line. I will not try to entertain you with quotes about time and age. Suffice to say that as the winds of September start to blow and you prepare for 2023, one of your biggest priorities should be your own career self-care. It is that focus that increases the potential of your journey and makes you a more valuable partner to your employer. After all, why should the kids be the only ones going back to school?

Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE, is CEO of HRCI, the world’s premier credentialing and learning organization for the human resources profession. Before joining HRCI, she spent more than 25 years in HR leadership and teaching roles. She is a member of the Economic Club, serves on the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, is a member of the CEO Roundtable, and is on the board for the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. Amy holds a doctorate from The George Washington University, an MBA and MA from Marymount University, and a BS from Hood College.