If you follow me on Twitter you might have noticed I attend a PHR/SPHR study group on Saturday mornings through my local HR chapter, BSHRM. I’m sitting for the SPHR exam in December. (Insert scared shriek here)
During our class last Saturday one classmate, lets call her Jane, said she believed obtaining the PHR certification would define her. Immediately my little brain starting churning with ideas and comments which I kept to myself; that’s not the place for that discussion.
According to Maslow, a person seeking approval or definition as Jane seems to be is just below Self Actualization. I don’t know Jane, I don’t know her situation or work life but I disagree with her statement.
I don’t think obtaining certification of any kind defines a person or their professional persona. You define your professional life. You define what type of HR Professional you are.
My PHR certification didn’t define me in 2007 and should I pass, the SPHR will not define me now. What defines my professional persona is my ability to coach a manager on his weak leadership skills, my ability to help shape the culture of my office into something special, my ability to make people smile and my ability to listen attentively to an upset employee.
Does it mean I’m self actualized because I don’t need justification or need the SPHR letters? No I’m still needy. I still want my boss to say good job, I still look for comments on the blog (that means you) and I still like to hear employees tell me they appreciate my help.
What about you? What defines your professional persona? Do you think I’m wrong and a certification is a good way to define you professionally? Hit me up on the comments and share your thoughts.
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HR certification is my passion. I am almost in my eleventh year volunteering in a certification role. Obviously, I believe in certification.
In my role as the HR Florida Certification Director, I came up with the initiative, “Look HR Smart Certify – Stay HR Smart Recertify. Certification sets you apart from you peers, shows a standard of excellence and recertifying signifies currency with trends in our profession. I believe in the HR Certification Institute’s vision that all HR Professionals will be certified.
When I earned my SPHR, I most definitely realized a heightened level of credibility. Attorney, doctors, nurses, etc must pass boards to practice. Does it define who they are as a person? Absolutely, not.
Side note: as of October 5th, I officially begin preparing for the GPHR. Send good thoughts my way
Hmmm, good post, good questions. My question to you would be: if you don’t think certification defines you as a professional then why take the certification class? Why become certified?
Perhaps certification doesn’t define you as a person (although it does seem like Jane sees it that way), but certification in a lot of respects, I think, DOES define you professionally. I’m not saying I’m condoning that perception, just stating a generalization.
Certification doesn’t necessarily mean you’re better than someone who has years of experience and keeps up on the most recent trends in their field of expertise and hasn’t been certified. Now, to some companies out there, some bosses, it is a way of proving your knowledge and expertise at a glance. But, they don’t know whether you passed by the skin of your teeth or passed the certification class with flying colors! (And there are SO many types of certification that I feel are needed for safety and health reasons but that’s not what we’re talking about here.)
There is also the fact that certification can help increase salary level or bonuses or raises – we all know that. So, in a financial sense, certification does define you professionally.
Defining what TYPE of HR person you are (or whatever title your job is), I agree, isn’t about certification, unless…you see yourself “above” those without certification. But, that’s getting into self-esteem and self-worth issues of each individual. It can also be seen as an achievement in your own eyes if our society, at large, gives it value and if you seek that value. Boy, this really is a loaded question(s)! lol There are so many variables!
In our society, I think we tend to rely too much on certain certifications as proof of knowledge and expertise. I think there is a lot to be said for someone’s own learning process of years worth of experience, and a continuing passion for what they do so they keep reading and keeping abreast of their industry’s advancements.
For example, I do not have any certification in resume writing but that doesn’t really mean anything. I have written effective resumes for over 30 years!! (both professionally and personally for friends, family, strangers) I keep abreast of what’s new on resumes, the lingo, etc. and I feel I am up-to-par with those who are certified. I also have the advantage of those years of experience to know if and when I should use a more traditional resume format or go with a more modern format. And I know which resumes successfully work for which type of positions, companies and people.
What I have observed is that those with certification (in resume writing) tend to completely leave behind the more traditional format, and to me, that may shortchange a group of people, positions and companies. You need to be open to what works – old and new ideas – merging the two, to be the most effective and successful professional and yes, in my case, writer and person.
To others, my lack of certification may define me in some people’s eyes as “less than qualified”. In others’ eyes, it won’t matter a bit and I won’t be defined by certification, or lack thereof. I don’t define myself one way or the other. I am defined by my life experience, my knowledge (and I’ll never stop learning!), and my desire to always improve upon myself, professionally and personally.
Whether or not I am “officially” certified is irrelevant. My integrity, my desire to bring out the best in people in their resumes and by doing so, in themselves is what drives me, and my years of knowledge and expertise along with the successes of my work…well, THAT is my certification. And, I’m cool with that.
So, the long-winded answer to your initial question: “Certifications – Do they define you?” No, they do not…to me.
@Lori – GPHR? Holy cow, sending lots and lots of good thoughts your way. I love that initiative!
Before graduating with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, I was responsible for establishing tutoring sessions for those who were planning to take the Engineer in Training exam. – the first step toward a PE certification. One of the professors noted that I had not yet signed up for the exam, and I told him I wasn’t planning on doing so.
He as quite surprised at this, and asked how I would defend myself were I ever to be named in a product liability lawsuit (Ford Pintos were exploding at the time). I asked if having a PE would excuse me from liability. The answer, of course, is “no”.
But, I still plan to take the SPHR in the next 12 months as it will mean something in addition to my resume to anyone who might hire me or ask me to consult. And truthfully, I will be a better HR pro for having prepared for and taken the exam. Experience is great, but even 30 years of experience can be narrow.
@Lisa – Why do I become certified? I like to learn, studying for it gives me the opportunity to learn sections of HR that I dont work in such as Unions. I know plenty of HR pros that are far more experienced than I am and arent certified, or at least if they are they don’t brag about it. If you see yourself above those without a certification, you havent met the right HR people. I made a comment somewhere last week that I’d rather have a person with 20 yrs exponential experience than a person with some experience and a certification/degree. Your comment about being open to what works and merging the two, I couldnt agree more. Just because a book says something is the best way doesnt mean its the best in real life. Thank you so much for the comment Lisa, you’re welcome to make a long-winded post here any time.
@Tim – You hit it the nail with “I will be a better HR pro for having prepared”. Continued learning in any field is key to success and being a well rounded professional in your career.
Hi April,
I’ve done some similar self-reflection regarding HRCI certification on my blog, so I sympathize with what you’re going through. In regards to what does/does not define me professionally, that’s complicated. For me, steady feedback from co-workers, having the opportunity to learn new things, as well as doing work that has meaning and worth are a few things that make getting up in the morning worthwhile.
The certification is less important to me than the knowledge gained from preparing for it. This is where I think we, as a profession, could do better. HR practitioners want to stay relevant to the organizations they serve, and it’s only through constant re-education and upgrading of job skills that this will occur. But if you add up the cost (of prep classes, materials, and the exam, for example) what becomes evident is that money can be a barrier to professional improvement. And that’s a shame. That’s part of the reason why I share, at no cost, my study materials with anyone that asks.
Great post April. Thanks for sharing and good luck!
in the UK, gaining a professional qualification defines at a particular point in your career. There is a key HR role which is considered the “threshold” – in more junior roles you must be seen as “working towards your CPP or CIPD” ; in more senior roles, you “must have” the CIPD qualification. It’s almost a rite of passage.
It’s been too many years since I completed my certification and since then I’ve upgraded my professional status. The certification defines my professional background, but not me as a practitioner.
I agree that there are many, many more people out there that are more experienced and talented than I am, despite my SPHR, which I just obtained this past June. I come from a small – and I mean SMALL – business background and I got certified for two reasons: (1) to fill in knowledge gaps and learn new things that I had not been exposed to, and (2) to help others understand that, despite my small business background, I possessed a certain level of knowledge and skills. In other words, I wanted *others*to define me (at least in part) by my SPHR, since I was so often disqualified in their minds because of the size of my business.
I gained so much knowledge preparing for the SPHR that I do feel somewhat defined by it professionally. It hasn’t helped much in convincing others, though. In my job search, the first question I am ever asked is how large my previous company was. When I say 40 people, I am almost always summarily dismissed as not having enough experience.
I would do it again, in a heartbeat, if I had to. I am just starting to think about recertification and how I can maintain everything that I have learned, even though I am not working. It has given me confidence to stand tall and move forward, despite what others think. That’s defining enough for me.
I agree that studying for a certification can give you some knowledge that you might not otherwise look into. Learning is always great!
And, Tim, yes, sometimes years of experience can be narrow but only if you don’t broaden your own horizons – if you limit yourself. I haven’t limited myself and love to learn and improve upon what I know to keep up with current knowledge. Now, I do have a B.A. in English so that may help others define my abilities – it is a certification of sorts. What it did for me? It taught me to never stop asking and never stop learning.
@Victorio Tell me about it, the study group plus materials plus the cost of the exam itself has cost me well over $1200. I set my sights on this awhile back and started saving because I knew the company wouldnt cover the cost. I’m sharing my notes and studying with a coworker that couldn’t afford the study group.
@Karen That’s interesting that its a rite of passage in the UK, it always amazes me the differences in our professional cultures.
@Joan – Congrats on the SPHR! I can see how the SPHR would help with a smaller company. When I was looking for work I did feel some of the dismissal from saying I supported 65 employees, never mind the accomplishments I made. Confidence in myself is enough for me too! Thanks for the comment Joan
@Lisa – The forever learning sponge
Kindred spirits!
Good luck on the SPHR!
Certification is a great idea, and while it doesn’t define you as a professional, it definitely distinguishes you from your peers.
Like you said, studying for the PHR/SPHR gives you an opportunity to learn sections of HR that you don’t usually work in. The SHRM Learning System is a great resource for this. It has the number 1 pass rate and is consistently updated to ensure the most up-date information.
@Lori good luck with the GPHR!
@SHRM_PHR_SPHR – Thanks for the comment and the good luck!
I dont think it alone distinguishes me, I think it helps though. This is my second go with the SHRMLS, I used it for my PHR and passed; why mess with a good thing