Certifications : O) D& B8 d4 T$ d7 ?$ ^
In addition to education, another way to prepare yourself for the HR field is through certification. Why are certifications important? Not only do they show a proficiency in HR, but they also recognize HR professionals who have a certain level of experience and ongoing training in their field. 3 J) M1 C' k% x6 m/ `( ?
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Certifications are also an immediate way for a recruiter or hiring manager to know that you have a baseline of HR-related knowledge. Since most certifications can only be attained through exams, they demonstrate that you have a collection of HR-specific knowledge that non-certified professionals can't always prove. Most HR certifications require at least one or two years of HR-related work experience, so you'll want to pursue certifications as you grow your career. ( | B2 @% ]$ K+ u) }& q* P; V
) O4 ?) _' U# G, MHaving an HR certification also shows commitment. Most professionals won't take the time or spend the money to get certified unless they plan to stay in the field for a significant period of time. Most certifications require renewal after a certain period of time (typically three years), so professionals also have to commit to a certain number of professional development hours each year to maintain their certification status. # u0 Z* G' A' l z0 c) d
1 P/ z# P# h. ~! a7 K, WIf you're a career changer, it's worth noting that many certifications require the certification candidate to demonstrate that a high percentage (at least 51%) of current job responsibilities are HR-related. ; N3 u3 N; @# \ Z+ f! [
8 E1 l, Y6 C! `8 Z e4 F5 i ]There are a number of different certifications to get--each with its own distinction and process. If you're unsure about which certification is right for you, there are a number of ways to investigate: 8 `9 u- a$ K6 m: i
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: |6 _$ R9 u. k4 l+ lUse the chart and certification overviews below to link to certification websites
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Research each certification carefully to make sure you understand the process, costs, and requirements to maintain your certification through the years; you don't want to lose it after all your hard work! y( i8 \; l4 a8 q; w
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Read job descriptions in your areas of interest; many will indicate a certain certification as a requirement or preference in the hiring process: C% g0 J% \( A7 X; O' H% u
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Ask mentors and experienced HR professionals in your area of interest to share their experiences with the certification process and their insight on the many certification options |
发表于 2006-7-10 10:10:43