Ongoing Learning & Certifications

Even if you don’t sit for the aPHR/PHR/SHRM-CP exam, I think it’s a good step to go through the process of studying. There are tons of free resources circulating the web as well.

As of June 2020 (

and sustained⁠

), I’ve decided to stop encouraging that people sit for any exams with SHRM. As the main lobbying and educational organization for the HR profession, I feel that SHRM has a duty to lead the HR community through COVID and through furthering Diversity and Inclusion. Until SHRM has shown a meaningful commitment to leading the HR profession, I do not in good conscience recommend their exams.

There are two primary certifying bodies in the United States (to my knowledge). Given the above, I only recommend taking exams through

HRCI⁠

. Below are resources for those tests.

⁠

Lattice’s Guide to Certifications⁠

⁠

aPHR study book⁠

⁠

PHR study book⁠

⁠

There are a lot of good posts on Reddit discussing the PHR.

This one is especially good⁠

I have my PHR (and have renewed the certification 2x). If you’re interested to hear my experience, feel free to ask.

HRCI is also introduced what they call ‘

micro certifications⁠

.’ I can’t vouch for these tests, but I’m generally in favor of the concept since it modularizes the content in the exams. (Depending on your role, some areas are much more relevant than others. As well, this reduces the associated cost). The current library is fairly robust. Though I look forward to seeing this grow in depth and breadth.

Outside of that, there are a few communities for ongoing education. While I can’t vouch for them, I’ve heard good things about:

⁠

Bersin Academy⁠

⁠

AIHR⁠

⁠

As well, there are a few accelerator programs I’ve come across:

⁠

Startup Recruiting Bootcamp by Jennifer Kim⁠

⁠

Amplify Academy by Lars Schmidt⁠

⁠

People Leader Accelerator⁠

⁠

Finally, there are some graduate programs out there.

⁠

Wharton’s People Leaders Certificate⁠

⁠

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.

Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (

CtrlP

) instead.