Seeking Advice: Which HR Certification Courses Can Boost My MBA Journey?

Hi all! I'm currently pursuing an MBA in HR in my first year. I'm a fresher and have a B.E. in IT. Due to the intense competition for placements within the college, I am seeking advice from senior students. Could you please suggest any certification courses in the HR field that I can pursue to enhance my CV and gain a competitive advantage over my batchmates?

PHR is a certification provided by HRCI - PHR-SPHR-GPHR Certification. They have all the relevant info on the certification. I did this certification while doing my MS in the US.

From my perspective, certification would definitely give you a competitive edge and show a commitment towards being a sound HR professional. In India, a Master's degree in HRM is preferred over any other certification. However, if you are joining a global organization, a PHR would definitely be an added asset to your resume.

An additional qualification on your profile!!

Many US organizations seek candidates with this certification. In my opinion, this certification is not as rigorous as some of the other HR certifications but provides a good foundation. One would gain a good theoretical foundation in all of the HR disciplines. Having said that, this certification will not guarantee a job but can give you an edge over other candidates.

Hi Rahul PHR :)

Thank you so much for sharing this information with all of us. I have around 3 years of experience in HR and always wanted to do something more in HR. You have given me the ideal information I was looking for. I would certainly look forward to joining the 2009 batch.

Thanks once again.

Regards,
Ruchi

Anytime, Ruchi! I am glad this information was helpful and has motivated you. Good luck and keep in touch!

Rahul

Hi all,

It was good to find a link in which I myself was also interested. I have completed my Master's in Industrial Psychology, and now I am planning to take up some crash courses in the HR field. I am waiting for valuable inputs.

I have options for SAP HR, which is costly (preferred if the organization provides the training), but I am more keen on training-related courses.

Best wishes,
Kinjal :)

Hi,

I don't think that any other certification will help you to get a job. Since you are pursuing an MBA, it is a sufficient educational qualification for an entry-level position. However, there is always room for learning through experience.

I suggest you concentrate on your course and successfully complete it. After that, consider working for a small organization or a recruitment consultancy to gain some experience. There will be significant opportunities in India once the recession is over, especially in the new HR dimension - Delivery HR. To excel in this field, you need to have a good understanding of HR processes, which cannot be acquired solely through a certificate. So, move forward and enjoy your current studies.

Anupam

Hi All,

It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could share with me the details regarding PHR (cost, syllabus, tenure, mode of study, etc). Also, what are the courses an HR person can undergo to improve his/her skills?

Regards,
Arti

Hi All,

It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could share with me the details regarding PHR (cost, syllabus, tenure, mode of study, etc). Also, what courses can an HR person undertake to improve his/her skills?

Regards,
Arti

Hi Rahul,

The information provided by you seems pretty useful. I am also thinking of taking up the PHR exam in June '09. However, I am not too sure how useful it will be in the Indian scenario, considering one has to study US federal laws, which may be irrelevant in India.

Could you please share how much time you dedicated to studying for the PHR exam? Also, did you study from the SHRM study material or any other course?

An early response would be highly appreciated.

Regards,
Shivani

Shivani,

I took the PHR exam while I was in the USA in 2005. I agree that US federal laws may be irrelevant for Corporate India; however, this is just one topic out of 6 topics that one has to clear to be a certified professional. Also, the multiple-choice questions test the psychology of candidates to deal with different situations; they focus more on the theoretical and operational aspects of HR.

As I mentioned before, certification does not guarantee a job, but it increases one's professional confidence and sets you apart from peers.

I gave myself 3 weeks to prepare for the PHR certification, and I used SHRM study material. SHRM offers a textbook (with a CD) for preparing for the PHR that costs around $40.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you need further information; I can be reached at rahul@collabera.com.

Good Luck,

Rahul

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