Command higher premiums with Best HR Certifications

Imagine you have a choice between going to a certified nutritionist or a self-proclaimed one. Who would you choose? One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to predict this answer.

Name any industry, from healthcare to technology to entertainment to real estate, it’s their certified professionals who give credibility to their respective occupations. Certifications show that a person has the required knowledge and skillset to do a job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most employers prefer to hire certified candidates.

Are you a fresher aiming to launch your career or an experienced professional feeling stuck in your present job? The right certification chosen wisely can jumpstart your career and help you rise up in ranks. Listed later are some carefully curated Best HR Certifications which can give a boost to your career.

HR Certifications are especially gaining momentum in today’s changing workplaces where technological advancements are constantly redefining what is expected of employees. HR professionals are not merely in charge of filling vacant positions anymore. There is a need for certified HR professionals who can understand the changed demands of businesses and help organizations make a winning workforce strategy — from onboarding and training to performance evaluation, administration, retention and higher-level policy and strategy development. Due to these range of responsibilities and the degree of influence of HR professionals on a company’s success; the career of HR is metamorphosing into Talent Management.

Why opt for an HR Certification?

BLS statistics project a positive and fast growth in the employment of human resources managers from 2006 to 2026. It also predicts strong competition for most positions. This necessitates the need for a globally recognized, third-party validation of your promise and potential as an HR professional.

Many HR professionals at the top echelons are already feeling the need for opting for proven and best HR certifications. As per the Payscale report on ‘The Market Value of HR Certifications for HR Pros’, the higher the level of an HR, more is the likelihood of him/her to have an HR Certificate. It shows, about 35.3% of HR Managers and 51.5% of the Vice-President HR professionals in the US are certified.

Earning a certification involves meeting standards and passing an exam and it is renewed periodically.  As existing companies revamp and expand, and new organizations form, globally recognized best HR certifications will give HR professionals the edge and update their knowledge as per current trends.

List of Best HR Certifications

Listed here are chosen few best HR certifications which are globally recognized and have helped professionals enhance their compensation and career trajectory. Typically, you can apply for most certifications with a bachelor’s degree and certain work experience, but some senior-level certifications require gaining substantial years of practical experience in the industry.

Some of the best HR Certifications for your career

FOR JUNIOR LEVEL HR PROFESSIONALS

Professional in Human Resource (PHR)

HR Certification Institute (HRCI) is the offering body of PHR Certification. It can be applied right after the high school diploma provided it’s substantiated with at least 4 years’ work experience. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree need a minimum of 2 years’ and those with a Masters’ degree need at least 1 year of work experience to apply for PHR. The exam constitutes 150 (mostly multiple-choice) and 25 pre-test questions to be completed in 3 hours.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

SHRM-CP is offered by SHRM. It is available for all categories of candidates — those pursuing less than a bachelor’s or a bachelor’s or masters’ degree in HR or non-HR disciplines. Each of the category stipulates certain years of work experience ranging from currently being in an HR position to 4 years in HR role, to determine eligibility.

Talent Management Practitioner Certification (TMP)

TMP is one of the best HR Certifications offered by Talent Management Institute (TMI). It is geared towards credentialing young HR professionals and graduates. TMP HR certified professionals are acceptable in 183 countries worldwide. There are six candidacy tracks to determine eligibility for this certification. You need to at least have a Bachelors to apply for TMP. Candidates who have completed Masters in HRM, Business, Management or related disciplines from TMI recognized institutions do not need any work experience, while those from other institutions need to be currently working in an HR position to apply for TMP HR certification. Those with a non-HR discipline degree should have at least 2 years’ (with Bachelors’) or 1 years’ (with Masters’) work experience in HR functions. TMP Certification should be renewed every 3 years.

FOR SENIOR LEVEL HR PROFESSIONALS

Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)

Offered by the Association of Talent Development (ATD), CPLP is one of the best HR Certifications geared towards credentialing professionals with a minimum of 4 years’ experience in talent development or related fields. Additionally, those who didn’t study talent management for at least a year in college or university are required to possess 5 year’ work experience in talent development, to apply for CPLP.

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

SPHR is also offered by HRCI for professionals with considerable work experience in HR. Candidates with high school diploma need at least 7 years’, those with Bachelor’s require at least 5 years’ and Masters level candidates should have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in HR positions, to become eligible for SPHR.

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)

SHRM is also the certifying body of SHRM-SCP. The minimum work experience required for this HR Certification is 3 years in HR role with an HR related master’s degree. The highest work experience required for this certification is 7 years (with less than a bachelors degree in non-HR discipline).

Senior Talent Management Practitioner Certification (STMP)

STMP is offered by TMI. This is one of the best HR certifications for senior professionals. Candidates with a Bachelors’ or Masters’ degree in HR-related discipline can apply for this certification, if they have 7 years (Bachelors’) and 5 years (Masters’) work experience in HR. Those with a non-HR discipline degree should have at least 8 years’ (with Bachelors’) or 7 years’ (with Masters’) work experience. STMP Certification should be renewed after every 3 years.

If you are in Human Resource Management for a long haul, choosing HR certification would be a wise choice!