The Best HR and Talent Management Certifications

 

When it comes to people matters at a company, everyone turns to the HR team. And for good reason – the most important resource of a company is its people, and managing their needs and expectations falls on the HR team. 

It follows that as long as business is in existence, there will be people working in companies, and hence there will be a need for HR professionals at these companies.The role has, though, evolved well beyond its roots in administrative functions such as conducting interviews, tracking leaves, and conducting performance appraisals. The “people” element has taken centerstage, as it should, and an HR career involves ensuring that employees serve a strategic purpose and help the organization attains its goals. 

Is it good to get certified? 

Most people looking for careers as HR professionals look to get a bachelor’s or master’s degree in HR or related disciplines. Aside from the long duration of such courses, they tend to cost a lot and mean a significant investment of non-earning time that could possibly have been spent more lucratively elsewhere. 

It is here that the best HR and talent management certification programs become a good choice. A good certification can catalyze a career in HR at the entry level or as an experienced professional. Besides, a certification offers the latest skills and knowhow in much lesser time than other degrees or qualifications. 

What are the gains from getting an HR certification? 

The key gains of picking some of the best human resource management certifications are the following: 

·         More attractive candidacy during recruitment and selection for HR openings 

·         A stronger case for growth and promotion in an HR career 

·         Higher salaries by a significant margin 

·         A proof of commitment to the field and a desire to learn and continually grow 

·         Higher recognition as an employee with the most up-to-date skills and knowhow in the field 

·         Continual growth of knowledge due to certification and recertification exams 

Which are the best HR certifications? 

A number of human resource management certifications are available for candidates looking to begin or grow a career in HR. Here are the top choices:

 ·         SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP): This is offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), an organization with a 300,000+ HR and business executive member base across 165 countries. The program is targeted at professionals tasked with strategy development, leadership roles, influence in the HR community, analysis of performance metrics, and aligning HR strategies with the goals of the organization as part of their HR careers. It is suitable for candidates without a bachelor’s degree or with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in HR or non-HR subjects with requisite work experience. The certification requires candidates to successfully complete a four-hour computer-based exam with 160 questions. 

·         HR Management and Analytics program from the Wharton School of Business: This online certificate course is offered at the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. It is targeted at mid- to senior-level HR and learning and development professionals, general managers, and other positions with talent management and HR dimensions. It focuses on using HR analytics to improve collaboration within employees and between departments. Participants learn analytics frameworks with real-world examples and applications to data sets. 

·         Human Resources Management Cornell Certificate Program: Offered under the aegis of eCornell from Cornell University, this program gives a foundation for a great careerby helping to understand how to align the HR function with organizational goals. It includes nine practical, result-oriented courses with exercises and real-world examples. Topics covered include compensation, employee performance, and labor relations, and it is well-suited to the needs of line HR professionals, global professionals, and those aspiring for a career in HR. 

What other certification disciplines are available? 

The best HR and talent management certification programs also include some excellent certifications in talent management, aside from the HR certifications. The Talent Management Institute (TMI) is a great choice, offering great choices for professionals at all levels in HR. TMI offers three certifications, as well as two programs in collaboration with the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. 

TMI certifications are time-bound, and lapse unless renewed by the specified time. Two of the top certification programs are as below: 

·         Talent Management Practitioner (TMP): An excellent option for a young professional looking to enter the talent management field, it combines well with a graduate program in HR or related disciplines. TMP offers a contemporary understanding of HR for modern professionals, and works well for people with different specializations in HR.

 ·         Senior Talent Management Practitioner (STMP): For mid-career professionals in HR, STMP is a great way to move up into more senior roles or handle additional higher-order responsibilities. It offers advanced skills in handling complexities of a dynamic business landscape, and is also the first step to prequalify for the prestigious TMI-Wharton Fellow Programs.