March 9, 2015

PHR Test

The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) test is a challenging and comprehensive assessment for men and women looking to enter this exciting and rapidly growing field of business management. The exam is developed by the Human Resources Certification Institute in consultation with an expert team of test administrators.

The test consists of 225 multiple-choice questions and takes four hours to complete. To be eligible for the exam, candidates must have at least two years of professional human resources experience. The passing score for the test is set by a team of experts.

The content of the PHR test is divided into six areas:
The strategic management area (12 percent of the exam) requires knowledge of an organizations mission, values, objectives, plans, and processes; legislative and regulatory processes; the strategic planning process and implementation; management functions, including planning, organizing, directing, and controlling; techniques to promote creativity and innovation; and corporate governance procedure and compliance.
The PHR test section on workforce planning and employment (26 percent) covers issues such as recruitment strategy, quantitative analysis, planning techniques, staffing alternatives, and interviewing techniques.
The human resource development area (17 percent) addresses topics such as federal, state, and local laws related to HR development activities; OD theories and applications; task/process analysis; e-learning; and mentoring and executive coaching.
The content area on total rewards (16 percent) reviews topics that include job pricing and pay structure; job evaluation methods; total rewards strategies; and federal, state, and local compensation, benefits, and tax laws.
The employee and labor relations section (22 percent) addresses issues like employee involvement strategies, unfair labor practices, positive employee relations strategies, and individual employment rights.
The sixth area of the PHR test, risk management (7 percent), covers topics such as occupational injury and illness, workplace safety, internal investigations, workplace security risks, and general health and safety practices.

PHR Study Guide

Start learning how to be successful on your PHR exam. Our PHR study guide is guaranteed to help you get the results you deserve on your PHR test. Some test takers prefer to study using flashcards and so we have created the best PHR flashcards that cover everything you need to know for the PHR exam. Note that using multiple study aids will help you maximize the benefit from your study time.

PHR Study Guide
PHR Flashcards

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Human Resources Salary

Professionals who enjoy working with people and want to develop a company’s culture by creating and enforcing company procedures and policies should consider careers in human resources. A career in human resources may involve working in many facets of an organization, such as recruitment, employee and labor relations, benefits administration, payroll, or training and development. The human resource person plays a very important role in the organization by managing human capital and enhancing overall operations and employee performance.

When most people think of a human resource function, they think of hiring and benefits. As this field has progressed, other specialties developed. Specialties, such as contract negotiations for unions, organizational development, and human resource management systems have emerged. Two terms that are used to describe career options within human resources are specialist and generalist. The specialist is someone who focuses his or her efforts in one area of expertise within an organization. The generalist, on the other hand, handles a number of responsibilities, such as recruitment and retention. The larger the organization, the more specialists you might have. For example, some very large multinational firms may have recruitment departments within the human resource function with many recruiters. There may also be dedicated units to handle employee relations. One thing is for sure; the opportunities in this profession are varied and plentiful, and the human resources salary can also be lucrative.

Most individuals enter the profession in a generalist role, usually a recruiter. These entry-level positions are where most people decide if they are interested in pursuing a specialized role or staying within the career path. Many people work their way up into senior-level positions, which become challenging with the additional responsibilities. There really is not one correct way to progress within a firm; it depends upon a person’s personal interests. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in this field will continue to grow in the coming years. The BLS considers this a well-paying job with lots of opportunity. As far as the amount of education needed for this job, it varies by function. A human resource clerk or human resource assistant may only need a certificate in human resources. A recruiter, payroll, human resource specialist, or training and development professional should have a least a bachelor’s degree that provides a foundation in human resource laws and practices. Manager, director, and vice president roles usually require master’s degrees in human resources, with most people also having their Society of Human Resource Management (SPHR) certifications. The SPHR is a credential that certifies a person’s knowledge and dedication to the profession. Years of human service work and a passing score on a very challenging test are required to receive the SPHR designation.

It is not surprising that the human resources salary increases with experience, education, expertise, and certifications. The highest salaries go to people with master’s degrees in business administration and in human resource management. According to Payscale.com, the national salary average for a human resource professional is between $38,000 and $87,000 a year. These are usually pretty secure jobs within an organization with little turnover. Bonuses and profit sharing are not uncommon benefits included in compensation packages. Up to 82 percent of people working in the profession are women, with most jobs for human resource managers found in larger states, like Texas, New York, California and Illinois. Retail, health care, information systems, manufacturing and distribution, and hotel and hospitality management are the most popular industries paying the highest salaries. It is not uncommon for managers, directors, and vice presidents to earn well over $100,000, with a vice president of human resources making more than $270,000.

PHR Study Options

  1. PHR Study Guide 2018 & 2019 for the NEW PHR Certification Exam Outline: PHR Exam Prep 2018 & 2019 & Practice Exam Questions (click here)
  2. PHR Exam Flashcard Study System: PHR Test Practice Questions & Review for the Professional in Human Resources Certification Exams (click here)
  3. Official site (click here)