Power in diversity!

The study group is a success! Well, not because of me, but for the fact that we are able to better diversify our resources and study materials. Also, being able to connect with people at different levels of HR experience and skills will definitely be a benefit as well. I am so excited!

This week will be extremely hectic and nerve wrecking for me. Aside from trying to remain focused in the PHR studies, I am also participating in some federal training. In addition to that, I am working in closing a long recruit assignment. Neck deep in the offer stage, I feel like I am on pins and needles. After almost 6 months of dedication on this assignment, I am ready for a well earned "success story"! Relationship management at its best is like a beautiful waltz. Such a long day - don't even know if that phrase made any sense. LOL!

April 6th - Study Outline

Here is a brief overview of what to expect for Monday's study session. Since it is the first meeting, it will be an introduction of sorts. As always, I am open for suggestions and topic discussions.

PHR Study Session – April 6th –

Discussion Topic - Core Knowledge Required by HR Professionals - Part 1

Session outline:

1) Introductions - who you are, what materials you are using, where you are in your studying, your exam date, brief bio.
2) Exam Essentials for Core Knowledge Required by HR Prof. (See Below)
3) Questions & Answer
4) Key Terms


Exam Essentails:
Describe how HR programs interact.

Describe needs assessment and analysis process.

Understand the uses of a third-party contract.

Describe communication strategies.

Understand basic concepts associated with andragogy (adult learning theory)

Recognize and describe various motivation theories.

Understand uses for qualitative and quantitative analysis methods.


HRCI Test Specs
69 Needs assessment and analysis.

70 Third-party contract negotiation and management, including development of requests for proposals (RFPs).

71 Communication skills and strategies (for example, presentation, collaboration, influencing, diplomacy, sensitivity).

72 Organizational documentation requirements to meet federal and state requirements.

73 Adult learning processes.

74 Motivation concepts and applications

PHR Virtual Study Group - officially formed!

We now have about 15 participants for the virtual PHR Study group for the May/June 2009 exam sitting. (gotomeeting caps attendees to 15.) And we are meeting every Mondays and Thursdays starting April 6th until end of June. The following is the timeline for test materials covered:

April 6,9 -- Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
April 13,16 --Strategic Management
April 20,23,27,30May 4 --Workforce Planning and Employment
May 7,11 --Human Resources Development
May 14,18 --Total Rewards
May 21,25,28,Jun1,4 --Employee and Labor Relations
June 8,11 --Risk Management
June 15,18,22,25 --Review
June 26 MY TEST DATE
June 29 --Test overview

To help save some time on Monday, here is my brief bio, study prep materials of choice, and limitations : ).

I am an executive recruiter with GRN. For the last 30(+) months I have been focused and leading in full life cycle recruiting projects in the finance and insurance sector. Please feel free to check out my linkedin.com profile. I have over 10 years professional experience in which I've been in management, customer service and sales. I am hoping to show my dedication to the HR practice by obtaining the PHR certification and also be more marketable should I decide to transition into a direct company. My study materials of choice at this time are:

Anne Bogardus' book PHR/SPHR Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide 3rd Edition
Gary Dessler's Human Resources Management
Max Messmer's Human Resources Kit for Dummies (who doesn't love cliff notes??)

If you would like to post your email to share/exchange info with one another, please let me know and I will include you all in the mailing list (Plus, it'll help me save some time when sending email : ).) Otherwise, I can keep it confidential.

Finally, my very own PHR study group!

Thanks to gotomeeting.com I am able to connect with 8 other PHR testers. We will have our first study session on April 6th. I am quite excited because the participants come from very diverse professional backgrounds. So cool. There should be some good synergy. My work schedule will be a lot more hectic starting April 6th and going forward, as I am involved in several new recruiting assignments as well as external projects for my husband's business and home. Between now and Monday's session I have to put together a quick study outline of sorts in order to make best use of the time for all attendees.

Off to some studying.