Certifications in HR

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Certifications
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.
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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.

Having 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.

- a1 ~% q6 P' H& mIf 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.

6 h1 v4 s) \, c! h* o2 J: s2 wThere 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:

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Use the chart and certification overviews below to link to certification websites

  [9 Y1 T  H0 Q% l: HResearch 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

/ C% Y7 }. j/ a$ N9 @Read job descriptions in your areas of interest; many will indicate a certain certification as a requirement or preference in the hiring process
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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