SHRM Society for Human Resource Management Complete Study Guide

SHRM-CP Exam and SHRM-SCP Exam

Sandra M. Reed

• Publisher: Sybex
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781119805496
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Commerce
• Subtopic: Gestion de projet

Advance your current career or start a new one by obtaining the industry-leading SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest professional association for Human Resources practitioners. Its certifications, while challenging to obtain, open enormous opportunities in the HR field and prove your competence and expertise in the profession.

In SHRM Society for Human Resource Management Complete Study Guide: SHRM-CP Exam and SHRM-SCP Exam, veteran HR consultant Sandra M. Reed delivers a comprehensive roadmap to achieving the premier certification for global human resource professionals. You'll get access to Sybex's comprehensive study package, including an assessment test, chapter tests, practice exams, electronic flashcards, and a glossary of key terms.

Discover hands-on, practical exercises that prepare you for real-world HR interviews and jobs as you master the technical, leadership, and business competencies you'll need to succeed on the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP Exams and in your new HR career. This book also provides:

• Fully updated information for the latest SHRM Certified Professional and Senior Certified Professional exams
• Opportunities for new career transitions or advancement with a highly sought-after professional certification
• Access to Sybex online study tools, with chapter review questions, full-length practice exams, hundreds of electronic flashcards, and a glossary of key terms

Perfect for HR leaders who wish to pursue the SHRM Senior Certified Professional or SHRM Certified Professional designations, this study guide also teaches the skills required by anyone seeking to transition into an HR-related role. It offers intuitive and easy-to-follow organization and comprehensive domain coverage ideal for experienced and novice professionals alike.

PART I
Preparing for the Exams

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.

Aristotle

The desire to move to the next level of one's career by taking a professional exam is a mark of excellence. This excellence comes from continuously reaching for new technical knowledge and then applying it to your work. It is likely that, as a successful professional with the experience necessary to qualify for these exams, you have brought a passion and commitment to your career that sets you apart. The characteristics that have brought you to this professional stage are the same ones that you will use as you prepare for the test: determination, resilience, strong organizational skills, time management, and solid resources. In this part, you will learn about the following:

• The Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) certification process
• Best practices for preparing to take a professional-level test
• Which exam is the best choice for you based on your knowledge and experience?
• The importance of the SHRM CP and SCP Body of Competency and Knowledge (BoCK)

The SHRM Certification Handbook describes the journey that you are now beginning:

• By deciding to pursue SHRM certification, you join a growing number of professionals seeking to meet and exceed the higher expectations of HR in today's complex global economy. SHRM certification is designed to help HR professionals assume more-strategic leadership positions and perform more effectively as they earn a credential recognized worldwide for its focus on behavioral competencies as well as technical HR knowledge.

Chapter 1
The Basics of SHRM Certification

Exam Notables

Look around, look around, at how lucky we are to be alive right now.

Lin-Manuel Miranda from Hamilton: An American Musical

As this book will highlight, organizations of all sizes are experiencing tremendous changes and challenges. By reading through these pages, you will discover that we are entering the fourth industrial revolution. The way that work is structured is changing. The challenge to find qualified talent is consistent across all industries. Front-loading education at the beginning of a career through college and university studies is no longer serving long-term talent needs. Social justice is driving change. These are just some examples used to make one point: the strategies and solutions to our world of work run straight through human resource (HR) systems. This is an exciting time to be in HR!

Certification provides a consistent standard of knowledge and a common language through which to practice HR. When HR pros are certified, we align with our organizations and our industry to define strategy and deliver results. Although the individual achievement of becoming certified is important, the collective impact of a group of professionals aimed toward the same targets—using similar tools, best practices, and shared values—is immeasurable.

The Society for Human Resource Management's Certified Professional (SHRM CP) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM SCP) exams are recognized by employers across the globe for their excellence. This is because preparing for the exams helps HR professionals become stronger resources for their teams, accelerate career earnings, and build a strategic mindset that serves both people and results.

Exam Overview

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is one of the premier agencies responsible for promoting the industry of HR management over the last 70 years. Their purpose, mission, and vision are noted on their website, www.shrm.org, and illustrate why they exist:

Our purpose is to elevate the HR profession. Our mission is to empower people and workplaces by advancing HR practices and by maximizing human potential. Our vision is to build a world of work that works for all.

SHRM accomplishes these things in several ways, including through education. In addition to the case studies and learning modules that were already a part of their educational initiatives in 2015, SHRM launched their own professional certification exams.

The SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM CP) exam is described by SHRM as appropriate for applicants who have operational experience in human resources. This includes roles with responsibilities described with verbs such as “implement,” “execute,” “support,” and “perform.” The SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM SCP) is a good choice for individuals with job responsibilities that “design,” “advise,” “oversee,” and “align.” Here are the exam descriptions from SHRM's website to help you decide:

SHRM CP

This credential is designed for HR professionals who are engaged primarily in operational roles—implementing policies, serving as the HR point of contact for staff and stakeholders, and/or performing day-to-day HR functions.

SHRM SCP

The SHRM-SCP certification is designed for HR professionals at a senior level who operate primarily in a strategic role—developing policies and strategies, overseeing the execution of HR operations, analyzing performance metrics, and/or contributing to the alignment of HR strategies to organizational goals.

The SHRM CP had a pass rate in 2021 of about 67 percent, and the SCP exam had a pass rate of 51 percent. These numbers have remained consistent for each exam over the annual testing windows.

Exam Eligibility

Both exams have eligibility requirements that are based on education and work experience. Note that title does not matter; rather, the important thing is the work being performed. Tab...