Applications, Resumes and Interviews...Oh My!

With my recruiting projects negatively impacted by the downturn of the financial industry, budget cuts and hiring freezes, I was forced to take action and aggressively position myself in the last 2 months to transition over to another means of recruiting work...

And there I left it, unfinished, the beginning of a blog almost 6 months ago. Fast forward to March 15th, 2010. In the last 6 months, I had interviewed, was offered and then accepted a position as a corporate recruiter for one of the largest automotive aftermarket supplier in the world. An exciting role within a dynamic company, positioned at the top of their game. Unfortunately, six months later, due to the lagging economy and lowered sales, that same position was cut. Although I consider myself a chronic optimist, to say I was a little bit disheartened, would be gracious.

We, my hubby and I, had already planned a weekend trip up to CT to visit my parents, so off we went. Little did I know that on that trip, I would find my inspiration. Typical of all family weekend visits are the movies Mom and Dad would rent for us to sit down and watch. One of the movies selected was Julie & Julia.

Julie & Julia is a great "feel good" movie. A movie based on two true stories, it's about a culinary legend, Julia Child, who provides and inspires a frustrated office worker, Julie Powell, with a new recipe for life. A mission, rather, to whip up 524 recipes in 365 days. Along the way, Julie finds herself and her joy.

Like Julie, "I can write a book. I have thoughts!... I can write a blog..." So here I am typing away...why not?

So I'll be creating a blog on what I am passionate about, my toddler and my tot, my Cornelius! Or rather, what inspires me to inspire him. If things succeed, I'll be able to launch a successful internet business and head off towards world domination, or if things steer the other direction, at least I will have a fun project to keep me blogging, networked with other moms and busy.

So in the words of Julia Child, "Bon Appetit!" Or rather, Good Reading! :)

Officially PHR certified!

I officially received my PHR certificate and PHR pin back on July 13th and should have updated my blog; but things have been crazy hectic here. With summer winding down and some of my other projects coming towards a close, I finally have the time to check in. So much to do, and still...so little time. I'm creating a new blog on my career transition activities, volunteer projects and networking campaigns. Please feel free to tune in! :)

3 more days in counting...

After months of studying and preparing for the PHR certification test, I am just 3 days away from my exam. Feedback from the PHR virtual study group already has 3 members with success stories! Hopefully, I will also have a happy story to tell by Friday afternoon. :)

So far I've read over Anne's book several times with special focus to the Workforce Planning and Development and Employee Labor Relations. With the sharing of resources from the study group, I've also went over the SHRM modules 1-6 and their associated eFlashcards. I've also had useful feedback from some of the people who have taken the test in regards to good test taking tips. I will be sure to utilize all this information well during the upcoming exam. My next strategy is to take as many of the practice PHR exams as I can get my hands on. Right now, I am averaging an 88% from all the practice exams. As long as I score 501 or above, I will be extremely happy!

Back to more PHR practice exams...

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.