get my PHR certification

I want to travel to Europe

I’ve changed careers so i really don’t need it right now. I think I see how this goes!!

Yup, that’s me. I passed my exam today. I am sooooooooo excited. The SHRM CD Rom was the greatest help for me. I also used an online course offered by my employer through Skillport. Other than that, I really went into the testing center thinking I was not at all prepared. I took my time. I reminded myself of my tendency to not fully read the questions and answers. And I also reminded myself that they were looking for the BEST answer, even if more than one seemed right. Lastly, I reminded myself that in my pretests, my first answer was usually the right one. It was when I would go back and change things that I got the question wrong. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY… I visualized it and I prayed.

Sometimes when a good opportunity presents itself, you have to take it even if you don’t have room on your plate. Make the room! This is how I justified my decision to study for the PHR certification test in November 2006. Plus, studies have shown that more people pass the test in the fall, than in the spring.

Yesterday was the last day of class for my Problem Solving for HR class and one of my classmates announced that he was getting a study group together for the PHR test. I dismissed it because the fall is hard for me. I have my seasonal part time job plus two classes and I work full time. I also had not planned on studying for it until I finished my degree, when I had more time.

Then the instructor sweetened the deal by offering to donate the study materials to the group and secure a place to study at school. Those study materials cost about $700.00!!! How the heck could I pass this up now? I will never save $700.00 on my own to study and if I wanted to take a formal review course, that would run me another few hundred dollars. Oh, and did I mentionthat the test alone will cost me $400.00?

So, I made a quick decision to go for it. I know I can do it. I already passed my FPC payroll certification last year with flying colors. This test is harder but I am confident I will make it. Wish me some luck anyway, please! I will need it.

Totally worth it! The test prep was a beast, but getting that “you passed” email made it all worthwhile.