Are HR Certifications Worth It for Landing a Job in Indian MNCs? Seeking Advice!

Hello Seniors,

Warm greetings!

Presently, I have 2 years of work experience in HR, including Recruitment, and am employed with a small (10-12 employees) software product development company. I am an MBA graduate from a tier-II college with a degree from VTU.

My concern is the benefits of getting an HR certification and the relevance of such certifications in Indian organizations. I need some suggestions regarding certifications like PHR, SPHR, GPHR, etc. Will it be beneficial in terms of getting a good job in an Indian MNC (Do they consider them really important while hiring)? If yes, is this the right time for me to pursue such certification?

Kindly suggest.

Thanks & regards,
Arpita.

Dear Arpita,

No certification in any discipline guarantees anything, whether it be knowledge, a job or employment, good remuneration, or MNC/PSU/Overseas employment, etc.

Certification only authorizes you as capable of taking on a profession and demonstrates your understanding of the fundamental principles of the profession.

What matters is your experience and the level of expertise you have acquired in the profession, perhaps specializing in particular skills to be recognized as the best talent in the market for those specific skills.

HR involves multidimensional activities, where each activity can be a specialized trade. For example, recruitment by placement agencies, training by training consultants, and organization & change management may require hiring consultants. Compensation management also necessitates a specialized consultant.

Therefore, I believe you understand that the HR domain is vast, and no one has mastered the entire spectrum of HR functions. It takes ages, a lot of research, and experience to work with global consultants rather than local managers or members of any professional forum, as the latter may only follow historical practices for action replay.

Partha

Thank you, Mr. Parthasarthi, for your prompt response. I feel it has at least given me some clarity about the relevance of these certifications. I need to re-orient my thought process towards the HR function as a whole.

Thanks & regards,
Arpita.

Hello Mr. Partha,

I read your response to Arpita's note. I really appreciate your thinking, but I myself have 8 years of experience in HR. Unfortunately, I was not able to pursue an MBA degree, although I am confident that I have a better know-how than any fresh MBA HR person. However, they are still preferred by employers. Why is that?

Hello Arpitha,

Thanks for initiating this post. I do agree with the point made by Parthasarthi, but I have a query as well. My case is similar to Arpitha's case, i.e., having two years of experience in HR. I have heard a lot about the PHR, SPHR, GPHR certification courses and how they provide a competitive edge in your career, which does matter in the global world.

So, after obtaining an MBA in HR, do these certifications really help? Although I believe that updated knowledge in your field is of prime importance in today's era. To gain a competitive edge over others, what should be done? I request seniors to shed light on this!

Regards, Niharika

Hello, fellow HR practitioners! Just adding my two cents' worth on this post. Although I'm not familiar with the Indian market, having a certification ensures that a practitioner has a firm grasp of the HR concepts and somehow has a standardized form or level of HR competence, which is recognized by most HR professionals globally. So that when one applies for an HR position internationally, having the certification is an "assurance" from the prospective employer that the applicant understands the HR work, in addition to work and educational background.

Thanks!

I cleared the PHR Certification in the June window. Trust me, the kind of preparation required to clear this exam testifies to the HR acumen as well as the aptitude of the candidate. The level is above that of an MBA in HR, and it is completely application-based.

The Value of International Certification

In today's scenario, where every other person is an MBA from XYZ college, having an internationally recognized certification can really add to personal confidence, competency, and market value of the certified professional.

Thanks.

I am thinking of pursuing a PHR certification. Can anyone suggest a good place where I can receive training in Hyderabad?

Regards,
Vamsee

Dear Vamsee,

Did you find any institutes in Hyderabad for the certificate program? I am also looking to do the certificate and recently heard of an institute called Skill Edvance at SR Nagar, but did not visit, so not sure of the same. Seems more of a financial training institute, but someone on my team told me that they also do HR courses.

Thanks,
Akash.

It is quite interesting to note that India is also emerging as a base for HR certifications. While there was a time when HR certifications were just a choice, Indian organizations have woken up to the benefits of certifications in the field of HR and are seeking HR-certified candidates for their HR-related roles.

List of Best HR and Talent Management Certifications

So without much ado, here’s a list of the best HR and talent management certifications that are reigning not only in India but also have become popular the world over.

1. HRCI
2. SHRM

New Age Recruiting Mantra: Talent Management

However, if you wish to get certified in the new age recruiting mantra, i.e., talent management, then you can check out these two certification programs:

1. Association for Talent Development (ATD)
2. Talent Management Institute (TMI)

With this, I think I have answered your question satisfactorily. Wish you all the best for your future in HR.

Hi Mr. Chris,

I have 4 years of experience in Human Resources in a Generalist role. I'm looking for opportunities in other countries, so I have planned to go for SHRM SCP, but recently I have come across a certification called "Aon Hewitt HRBP." I'm quite confused about which certification would provide more value to my profile.

I would like to know which certification will help boost my career. Please suggest.