Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification is offered by the HR Certification Institute. The PHR certification is intended to help human resource professionals demonstrate their skill and knowledge in the field, perhaps using their certification to land better jobs or seek advancement with their current employers. While a person with significant experience in human resources may have extensive knowledge to help him earn certification, there are some tips that may help a certification candidate have a better chance of passing the certification exam. An individual may make a PHR prep plan that includes using preparation guides and practice tests as well as joining study groups or taking a PHR prep course.
One of the most important tips for successful PHR prep is to learn which topics will be included on the test. With this information, the certification candidate may gain a better understanding of what to study. The PHR certification test is multiple choice and consists of 225 questions that cover six different areas of human resources. An individual who wants to be well prepared for the exam may visit the HR Certification Institute's website and view the exam content outline the organization provides.
For many people, study guides help to make the PHR prep process easier. For example, a certification candidate may purchase the official PHR certification guide to learn more about the exam and how to prepare for it. This guide also includes a practice exam, which is based on the actual exam's content. The guide contains the answers to each practice exam question as well and even provides certification candidates with an explanation of the answers. An individual who is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) may purchase the Official PHR and SPHR Certification Guide from the SHRM website; others may find it through an online bookseller.
The HR Certification Institute also offers an online assessment exam a person may use as part of his PHR prep. An individual can purchase this exam online and use it to identify the subject areas in which he needs more study time. This assessment exam may also help a person to gain familiarity with the types of questions he'll see on the certification exam. It includes 75 multiple-choice questions and is available in two versions. This means a person could take one version at the beginning of his PHR prep and another closer to his test date.
A certification candidate may also find it beneficial to participate in a PHR prep study group. Others may enroll in PHR certification programs or workshops that are given by an instructor or lecturer. Some colleges and professional organizations offer such programs, and there are online and self-study options as well.
