Adding the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification to your resume immediately places you above less qualified competitors. After studying with PHR/SPHR Exam For Dummies, you will conquer the exam armed with confidence and a solid understanding of the test and its presentation. This book + online product includes 4 unique practice tests: two in the book (one PHR one SPHR) and two additional tests online (one additional PHR one additional SPHR). All practice questions include detailed answers and explanations. As human resources becomes an increasingly popular field, you should snatch every opportunity to give yourself an edge.

• Updated to cover the six functional areas included in the three hour, 175 question online exam: Business Management & Strategy, Workforce Planning & Employment, Human Resource Development, Compensation & Benefits, Employee & Labor Relations, and Risk Management
• Prepares readers to take an exam that replaces the 60 credit hours of continuing education that is required for recertification every three years

For aspiring students and human resources professionals, this For Dummies text is the ideal guide to acing the PHR/SPHR Exam.

Sandra M. Reed, SPHR, is the owner of EpocHResources, a consulting firm specializing in the unique HR needs of small businesses. She has authored learning modules and case studies for the Society for Human Resource Management. She is the co-author of PHR/SPHR: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, 4E, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with the PHR/SPHR Exam 5

Chapter 1: Introducing the PHR/SPHR Exams: Just the Basics, Please 7

Chapter 2: Preparing for the Exam 17

Chapter 3: Identifying the Question Types and Strategizing to Answer Them 31

Chapter 4: Surviving Test Day 41

Part II: Managing the Basics: Pre‐Test Fundamentals 49

Chapter 5: Career Day: Life of a Certified HR Professional 51

Chapter 6: Examining the Core Areas of Knowledge 59

Part III: The Ins and Outs of the PHR/SPHR Exams 69

Chapter 7: The Key to Success: Business Management and Strategy (BMS) 71

Chapter 8: Perfecting Process: Workforce Planning and Employment 87

Chapter 9: Sharpening Your Tools: Human Resource Development 101

Chapter 10: Paying Your Dues: Compensation and Benefits 115

Chapter 11: Connecting the Dots: Employee and Labor Relations 127

Chapter 12: Shrinking the Target: Risk Management 143

Part IV: Employing Your Knowledge: Practice Exams 155

Chapter 13: Facing the Challenge: PHR Practice Exam I 157

Chapter 14: Answers and Explanations to PHR Practice Exam I 187

Chapter 15: Using Your Skill Set: SPHR Practice Exam I 205

Chapter 16: Answers and Explanations to SPHR Practice Exam I 237

Part V: The Part of Tens 257

Chapter 17: Ten PHR/SPHR Exam Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them 259

Chapter 18: Ten (or So) Study Tips for the Exam Bodies of Knowledge 267

Appendix: Federal Employment Law 275

Index 285