The popularity of a human resource career can be determined from the fact that a job role of HR specialist was ranked among the best business job roles in America for 2019 by U.S. News and World Report. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resources jobs are estimated to grow rapidly than average of all other professions due to a rise in demand. For instance,
- HR specialists – 7% increased job demand than average
- HR managers – 6% increased job demand than average
- Training and development managers – 7% increased job demand than average
From the aforementioned statistics, it is pretty clear that pursuing a career in human resources is worth every bit of an effort. Usually, you will require a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field to make an entry in HR. A master’s degree will proliferate your chances of getting hired while you are seeking employment. But, having a human resource certification in hand will build a competitive advantage in terms of career growth and selection. Human resource certifications will benefit you to keep abreast of the latest technology, prevailing laws, and vital HR practices.
Let us read through the kind of certifications available for you as a beginner to embark on a career in this field and additional referrals that you can use to pass earn HR certifications online.
Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)
This is an HR certification for beginners and professionals who have begun their career in this field, offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).
Enrolment criteria:
- No experience-related requirement since it is for beginners.
- A high school diploma or a degree equivalent to it is needed for foreign students.
Topics covered in the exam:
- HR operations
- Recruitment and selection
- Health, safety, security
- Compensation and benefits
- Employee relations
Useful referrals:
- a Study Guide 2021-2022
- HR books available online and offline can be referred
Talent Management Practitioner (TMPTM)
This is a human resource certification offered by the Talent Management Institute (TMI) for entry-level professionals.
Enrolment criteria:
This HR certification online has six tracks, each requiring different eligibility criteria. However, the basic requirements for all of these tracks are:
- A bachelor’s degree in HRM or business or management or any other related disciplines.
- Experience level ranging from zero to two years.
Topics covered in the exam:
- Concepts and perspective in talent management
- Elements of strategy and leadership in talent management
- Critical focus areas of talent management practice
- International talent management experiences and insights
Useful referrals:
- E-copy of TMPTM exam preparation guidelines
- TMI’s flagship publication: TMI Handbook for Practitioners.
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
This is an HR certification for beginners offered by the Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) institute.
Enrolment criteria
- Less than a bachelor’s degree: working towards an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, high school diploma, or GED.
- Minimum work experience depends on the qualification and ranges from one to three years.
Topics covered in the exam:
- Key concepts of 15 HR functional areas
- Foundation to the eight behavioral competencies
Useful referrals:
- SHRM-CP Exam Secrets Study Guide.
Human Resource Management certification
This is a beginner-level HR certification offered by the office of professional advancement at the University of Miami.
Enrolment criteria:
- A high school diploma in HR or a related field is required
Topics covered in the exam:
- Legal and regulatory issues
- Strategic management
- Training and organizational development
- Employee and labor relations.
Useful referrals:
- Books provided by the university
- Online YouTube tutorials
