Anyone have SPHR certification?

[Bernadine]

I've worked for the govt for 15 years, and I'm starting to consider branching out. I've worked in HR-related fields all 15 years, but I have no degree or certifications. I'm curious how useful an SPHR certification might be.

ETA- no degree in HR.  I have a BS in Biotechnology, so totally unrelated.

[wildrice]

I do. I am probably an outlier, but I honestly haven't found it to be that helpful. I think it's better to have than not, but I don't think it makes me stand out in a pool of applicants (especially since it's relatively common among professional level HR employees). It may have helped me get my current job, but I really don't know.

I got laid off of a job back in 2014 and I was all "thank god I got my HR certification last year - it will help me a lot!" and I ended up having to take a job outside of HR because I couldn't find anything. THEN AGAIN, it does seem there is a much better job market for HR in this area than there was where I lived at that point.

So I'm not helpful lol. I don't think it could hurt, just be realistic in how much you think it might help.

[Bernadine]

Feb 26, 2020 10:46:34 GMT -5 wildrice said:

I do. I am probably an outlier, but I honestly haven't found it to be that helpful. I think it's better to have than not, but I don't think it makes me stand out in a pool of applicants (especially since it's relatively common among professional level HR employees). It may have helped me get my current job, but I really don't know.

I got laid off of a job back in 2014 and I was all "thank god I got my HR certification last year - it will help me a lot!" and I ended up having to take a job outside of HR because I couldn't find anything. THEN AGAIN, it does seem there is a much better job market for HR in this area than there was where I lived at that point.

So I'm not helpful lol. I don't think it could hurt, just be realistic in how much you think it might help.

Interesting, thank you. It seems like a lot of jobs I'm looking at prefer certifications.

[gault]

I got mine last may after wanting to take it for many years. In my opinion and experience, it is something that can potentially help you in getting higher level hr roles. Many manager jobs require either a master's or sphr/shrm-cp and experience.
You need 5 years of professional- level HR experience to qualify, but it sounds like you have that covered.

[wildrice]

Feb 26, 2020 10:55:18 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

Feb 26, 2020 10:46:34 GMT -5 wildrice said:

I do. I am probably an outlier, but I honestly haven't found it to be that helpful. I think it's better to have than not, but I don't think it makes me stand out in a pool of applicants (especially since it's relatively common among professional level HR employees). It may have helped me get my current job, but I really don't know.

I got laid off of a job back in 2014 and I was all "thank god I got my HR certification last year - it will help me a lot!" and I ended up having to take a job outside of HR because I couldn't find anything. THEN AGAIN, it does seem there is a much better job market for HR in this area than there was where I lived at that point.

So I'm not helpful lol. I don't think it could hurt, just be realistic in how much you think it might help.

Interesting, thank you. It seems like a lot of jobs I'm looking at prefer certifications.

Actually, I'm dumb. Maybe that's my problem, lol. I do NOT have the SPHR. I got the PHR certification, which is what I had back in 2014. I later converted it to the SHRM-CP certification, which is basically the same thing. I think I was combining all the letters when I saw your post

The "S" indicates senior level, which might be appropriate for me now but wasn't when I first got it. So, perhaps the senior certification is more useful. 

Sorry about that. 

[dove]

I don’t have it and have been debating on the value of getting it. I find that it is very helpful for those who are entry level or don't have much experience in HR. It shows you understand HR concepts.

For me, at this point (over 10yrs in HR), I don’t find it it helps or hinders my job prospects. I was recently laid off last month and started worrying, since like you I saw most required and/or preferred certification. I was recruited within the week I was laid off, and had an offer in hand for more than my previous role before my one month unemployment. I start in 2 weeks.

I still think I’m going to test for it eventually, but more for my self-fulfillment.

TLDR: it doesn’t hurt if you have the certification, I find it is more helpful for those who are entry level.

ETA: my undergrad is in HR Mgmt. 

[7costanza]

I have the PHR and SHRM-CP, but not SPHR and don’t plan to test for it. I do think the PHR has helped me get interviews more easily but don’t think the hassle of studying and testing for the next level certification would be worth it to me at this point in my career and life. I’m at the same employer I was when I got the initial certification and they don’t really value it, maybe my answer would be different if I needed the SPHR to advance internally.

[dontlook]

It seems like most middle-level HR professionals have at least a PHR so if you want to switch gears it would go a long way. It’s not critical but if I had to pick between a candidate having it and one not, I’d take the person with it.

[larzhope]

I have a specialized masters degree and 12 years of experience in HR and no certifications. I always was told my masters degree has been sufficient but as I am now job searching, a lot of jobs require the certification and I think I am likely knocked out of consideration with algorithms because I don't have it. So, I think it is very helpful from that perspective, especially if you don't have any direct HR experience. From an actual usefulness on the job, though, everyone I know said they didn't really learn anything new from getting the certification and it was just a check-the-box exercise.

[kath16]

i think it depends on what, specifically, you want to do within HR.

Generalist or ER specialist roles likely require or "strongly prefer" the certification. Recruitment or HR Operations roles won't.

[Bernadine]

Feb 26, 2020 13:35:09 GMT -5 kath16 said:

i think it depends on what, specifically, you want to do within HR.

Generalist or ER specialist roles likely require or "strongly prefer" the certification. Recruitment or HR Operations roles won't.

I'm interested in more management/director type positions. I'm just unsure of how different government HR is from the "real world," lol.

[fiddles]

I have had my certifications for 10+ years.  When I took the test it didn't make much sense because you tested based on the "SHRM way" and you didn't answer for what actually worked in real life situations.  I do believe now the test has definitely changed and it's more competency based.

That said, the cert has helped me in getting a job or getting me through job application filters.  

HR is a tough field to get into if you don't actually have real world experience.  I have seen people with their master degrees and no experience start off super entry level and have to work their way up.  A lot of HR knowledge comes from experience and I've seen companies focus more on job experience/titles and less on if someone has a degree.  In my area of the country it's basically tech world so a lot of companies looking for HR are looking specifically for those with tech experience.  

[konapoppy]

Feb 26, 2020 13:48:45 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

Feb 26, 2020 13:35:09 GMT -5 kath16 said:

i think it depends on what, specifically, you want to do within HR.

Generalist or ER specialist roles likely require or "strongly prefer" the certification. Recruitment or HR Operations roles won't.

I'm interested in more management/director type positions. I'm just unsure of how different government HR is from the "real world," lol.

Different! What part of hr do you have experience in?

I have my SPHR and a specialized masters. They both got me interviews and will help me get to my next job. Feel fee to pm me if you want to chat more!

[sweetmint]

I got my SPHR last year. I graduated college in 2001 and had been working in HR ever since. I held off on getting it for so long because I liked to think my experience spoke for itself. But, since receiving it, I do think it has helped my resume get noticed more. It definitely can't hurt to get it. I studied for 3 months and just knocked it out. Now I sort of regret not getting it sooner. The LMS I used was awesome, and I'm happy to recommend it if you are interested!