PHR/SPHR Exam For Dummies with Online Practice

Sandra M. Reed, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a leading expert in the certification of HR professionals. She is the author of the 2nd edition of The Official Guide to the Human Resource Body of Knowledge and the 5th edition of the PHR and SPHR Professional in Human Resources Certification Complete Study Guide: 2018 Exams. Reed is also the author of case studies and learning modules for the Society of Human Resource Management, teaching and writing content for undergraduate studies at both public and private universities.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1Foolish Assumptions 2Icons Used in This Book 2Beyond This Book 3Where to Go from Here 3Part 1: Getting Started with the PHR/SPHR Exam 5Chapter 1: Introducing the PHR/SPHR Exam: Just the Basics, Please 7Summarizing the Certification Process 8PHR or SPHR: Which Exam is Right for You 8Exam eligibility 8Comparing the two exams 9Making your decision: Certification is a journey, not an event 10Still undecided? 11Applying for Your Exam 11Completing your application online 11Scheduling the exam online 12Knowing What to Expect on the Exams 12Looking at the exams’ structure and types of questions 13Grasping how the exams are scored 13Preparing to Tackle the Exam 14Tackling the 24 Hours before, during, and after the Exam 14Examining the Core Subject Areas on the Exam 15PHR 15SPHR 16Remembering the Core Knowledge Requirements 17Understanding That You Can’t Be Taught the Exam 18Chapter 2: Preparing for the Exam 21Considering Exam Weights by Functional Area 21Practicing for Results 23Reaping the benefits from practice exams 24Making the right selection 25Building a Study Plan Strategy 25Being organized keeps you focused 25Writing a study plan: The how-to 26Employing the Principles: Going Deeper 27HRCI’s suggested authors 27Online business sites 28Techniques 29Considering a Study Group: Yes or No? 30Noting the benefits of a study group 31Identifying the challenges of a study group 32Selecting the right group or exam prep class 32Keeping your group on task 32Asking Your Employer to Pay for Certification 33Using the Internet for Additional Resources 34Functional Area 01 34Functional Area 02 35Functional Area 03 36Functional Area 04 37Functional Area 05 39Applying Core Knowledge 40Sharing the value of diversity and inclusiveness 41Applying human relations 43Using theories of motivation 43Managing enterprise risk 44Complying with safety standards in the workplace 45Navigating labor union implications 50Chapter 3: Identifying the Question Types and Strategizing to Answer Them 55Having a Plan to Answer the Questions 55Interpreting the Content While Conquering the Form 56Understanding how the questions are formed 56Spotting the target: The correct answer 58Navigating the answer distractors 59Recognizing Special Circumstances 60Maneuvering through the “best” pitfall 60Working with extremes — always, never, most, least 61Dealing with the unknown 62Chapter 4: Surviving Test Day 65Leading Up: The Days before the Test 65Cramming: Yes or no? 66Eyeing the lay of the land: The testing facilities 66Familiarizing yourself with the testing environment 67The Time is Here: Exam Day 67Remembering the ABCs of Exam Day 68Attitude: Believe that you can succeed 68Breathing: It matters more than you may think 69Confidence: Expect success 69After the Test: What to Expect 70Completing the survey 70Getting your results 71Part 2: Managing the Basics: Pre-Test Fundamentals 73Chapter 5: Career Day: Life of a Certified HR Professional 75Tracking Trends in Human Resources 76Understanding educational trends 76Clarifying the role of HR 77Using the Statistics 78Identifying who is certified and why this information is important 78Leveraging the impact of certification on salary 79Applying Your Knowledge on the Job 80Focusing on staying relevant: Continuing your education 80Demonstrating knowledge: Positively impacting your employer 81Constructively criticizing: What to do when you disagree 82Chapter 6: Examining HRCI’s Glossary of Terms 85Deciding How to Study 85The Terms 86Part 3: The Ins and Outs of the PHR Exam 117Chapter 7: The Key to Success: PHR 01 Business Management 119Eyeing the Exam Objectives 119Responsibilities 119Knowledge 120Focusing on What You Need to Know about Business Management 120The playing field 121Working with other business functions 122Establishing internal and external relationships 124HRCI’s Code of Ethical and Professional Responsibility 125Risk Management 127Applying U.S labor law 128Tackling executive orders 129Managing Data 130Chapter 8: Finding Resources: PHR 02 Talent Planning and Acquisition 133Noting What’s Important about Talent Planning and Acquisition 133Responsibilities 134Knowledge 134Recognizing What Subjects to Study 134Looking at the Life Cycle of the Employee 135Creating a Recruiting Process 136Selecting the Right Employees 137Using pre-employment tests 138Conducting interviews 139Employment offers 140The use of background checks 140Comparing Orientation to Onboarding 141Recognizing Common Reports and Tools 141EEO-1 reporting 141Form I-9 142Recruiting analysis 142Chapter 9: Sharpening Your Tools: PHR 03 Learning and Development 143Identifying What’s Essential About Learning and Development 143Responsibilities 143Knowledge 144Examining What You Need to Know for the Exam Regarding Learning and Development 144The design of training 145Developing employees 147Making the most of data management 149Chapter 10: Paying Your Dues: PHR 04 Total Rewards 155Identifying the Exam Objectives for Total Rewards 155Responsibilities 155Knowledge 156Tackling the Key Points about Total Rewards 156Structuring pay systems 156Processing payroll 159Selecting and Communicating Employee Benefits 159Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) 160Employee Retirement Income and Security Act (ERISA) 160The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) 161Social Security & Medicare 161Workers’ compensation 162Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 162Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act 162Taking Advantage of Common Reports and Tools 163Hidden paychecks 163Benefits surveys 163Exempt checklists 164Chapter 11: Connecting the Dots: PHR 05 Employee and Labor Relations 165Navigating Employee & Labor Relations 165Responsibilities 166Knowledge 166Focusing on What the Exam Covers in ELR 167Defining company culture and climate 167Early engagement techniques 169Building engagement through performance management 169Applying discipline and conducting separations 171Using Policies and Procedures to Communicate 172Employee handbooks and policy reviews 172Common reports and tools 173Part 4: Digging into the SPHR Exam 175Chapter 12: Building the Frame: SPHR 01 Leadership and Strategy 177Leadership & Strategy Exam Objectives 177Responsibilities 178Knowledge 178Directing Leadership and Strategy Initiatives 179The Essence of Strategy 179Becoming a strategic partner 180Interpreting strategic planning objectives 181Understanding the stages of planning 181Managing Risk 184Designing Interventions 185Managing Change Strategies 185The three-stage model 185The eight-stage model 186The five-stage model 186Delivering through Technology 187Following trends in HR information systems 187Managing the impact of data analytics 187Avoiding the pitfalls of social media 188Building a virtual workplace 189Selecting and implementing project management software 189Analyzing with metrics 190Forecasting 191Using scorecards 192Chapter 13: Bridging the Gap: SPHR 02 Talent Planning and Acquisition 193Preparing for Talent Planning and Acquisition 193Responsibilities 194Knowledge 194Digging Deeper into the Exam Objectives 194Workforce Planning 195Analyzing the labor market population 195Conducting wage surveys 196Succession and replacement plans 196Overseeing the Staffing Function 197Employer branding 197Recruiting and selection 197Selection 198Integrating New Talent 199Engaging Employees 200Termination in the Context of Talent Planning 201Corporate restructures 201Mergers and acquisitions 202Divestitures 202Chapter 14: Shaping the Resources: SPHR 03 Learning and Development 205Examining What You Need to Know for the Exam 205Responsibilities 206Knowledge of 206Analyzing Business Needs 206Activating Training Systems 207Instructional design 207Using Learning and Development for Retention 209Assessing talent 209Creating career paths 210Allocating resources 211Chapter 15: Harnessing the Value: SPHR 04 Total Rewards 213Total Rewards Exam Objectives 213Responsibilities 214Knowledge 214Breaking Down the Content 214Categorizing Total Rewards 214Building compensation strategies 215Creating the Framework 217Job analysis 217Job evaluation and pricing 218Benchmarking 218Legal issues 218Shaping executive compensation 220Building benefits systems 221Chapter 16: Building Relationships: SPHR 05 Employee Relations and Engagement 225Charting Exam Content 225Responsibilities 226Knowledge 226Making the Case for Engagement 227Job attitudes 229Performance feedback and recognition 230The importance of trust at work 232Separations as an experience point 233Human resource leadership development 233Part 5: Employing Your Knowledge: Practice Exams 235Chapter 17: Facing the Challenge: PHR Practice Exam 237Answer Sheet for PHR Practice Exam 239Chapter 18: Answers and Explanations to PHR Practice Exam 267Answer Key for Practice Exam I 287Chapter 19: Using Your Skill Set: SPHR Practice Exam 289Answer Sheet for SPHR Practice Exam 291Chapter 20: Answers and Explanations to SPHR Practice Exam 319Answer Key for Practice Exam I 341Part 6: The Part of Tens 343Chapter 21: Ten PHR/SPHR Exam Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them 345Sitting for the Wrong Exam 345Underestimating Exam Preparation Time 346Unlearning State-Specific Applications 347Getting Tripped Up: The Perils of Overthinking 348Playing the Guessing Game 348Trusting Your Instinct 348Changing Answers 349Focusing Too Much on the Clock 349Managing Distractions 350Avoiding Mind Tricks 351Chapter 22: Ten (or So) Study Tips for the Exam Bodies of Knowledge 353Being Organized and Planning 354Using Outlines 355Going Online 356Interviewing Subject-Matter Experts 356Presenting Unfamiliar Exam Objectives 357Comparing HR Best Practices to Your Work Experience 357Discerning Action Objectives from Knowledge Objectives 357Spacing Practice for Success 358Knowing Where to Focus When Studying Labor Laws 358Appendix: Federal Employment Law 361Index 369