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r/humanresources•
DancesAroundPool

Advice on SHRM-CP exam?

Hello all, I've occasionally lurked on this sub and I've found it to be extremely helpful. With that being said, I need some advice on if you would recommend I take the SHRM-CP exam at this point in my career.

I graduated almost two years ago with an HR degree and took an HR assistant job for about nine months. After that, I took an internship in labor relations to try and explore more in the field and add more experience. After the internship ended, I took an HR coordinator position where I have been currently have been for seven months.

I believe this certification is the next step for me to take but I am not sure if I would be ready for it this early in my career. I can't afford the study materials from SHRM but I have been studying the BOCK, flash cards, and Mometrix work books.

Can anyone offer any insight or suggestions on whether I should wait until I gain more experience? Thanks and I appreciate any advice.

Posted Apr 12, 2018, 10:37 PM UTC

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MuffHunter69HR Generalist•

I was in a very similar situation. Had an internship for a year at a smaller bank until I graduated with my Bachelors in HRM. I started as an HR Specialist and got promoted to HR Generalist a year later. I took the SHRM-CP in February and passed.

A couple resources that I used were Olamide Asekun’s 1,000 HR certification practice questions with answers (I wanna say $30 on Amazon?) and the Mometrix practice questions book.

I don’t think it hurts to take it rather early in your career. I’ve found it useful as it really makes you think in terms of HR being a strategic partner to drive business compared to more transactional work that you experience in entry level positions.

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HamletDTD•

SHRM -CP wasn't all that hard. I came from a business background. I bought second hand study materials for the pHR and passed with cramming for 3 weeks before my test. If you have an HR degree it should be straight forward.

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elchupoopacabraSHRM-CP, Comp & Benefits•

I think the toughest thing is the situational judgment questions. More specifically, understanding how the questions are worded, and knowing the answer they are looking for. There is a "right" answer, and a "best" answer.

I passed on my first go. However, one coworker did not, and she thought she struggled with knowing the "best" answer when weighing against what she learned on the job (company norms may not be "best").

See if you can find second hand SHRM-CP materials, it's been out for a couple years now so there might be some out there. The practice questions in the material gave good insight in to the wording of those SJ questions.

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HrgooglefuSPHR•

you might consider the aPHR through HRCI as a first step if you don't have the professional knowledge/experience.

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preppygraduate•

I found someone who was selling their SHRM materials dated 2017. You may want to search the sub and you will find my post. I ended up getting approved for the PHR so I didn’t buy it from them. I believe it was at a pretty decent price too.

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