One helpful way to adapt yourself to HR in the United States (US) is to take on the challenge of becoming SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) certified.
International HR pros coming here – or already working a significant amount of time in the North American market – may want to consider how certification could enhance their knowledge of US HR best practices and important labor law.
As a dual European and American citizen who’s lived in the US for over a decade – but who took advantage of the disruption presented by the pandemic to get a master’s degree in HRM in Europe – I can say from personal experience that becoming SHRM certified was like the icing on the cake to my degree.
International HR Pros
Data for 2021 indicates that there are approximately 508,000 HR professionals in the US (Statista) and while specific figures for those of us in this industry from an international background are unavailable, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that in the same year 17.4% of the entire workforce were foreign born.
My HR university program in Ireland drew from the same well of thought as many similar programs in the United States, e.g. based on insights from business strategists like Michael Porter or management experts like Henry Mintzberg, to the early origins of the field in Scientific Management and the “human relations movement”.
But while these theoretical bases were effectively the same, the rules, regulations, and policies you need to know to demonstrate credibility in my position were primarily based on European Union (EU) and Irish legislation.
Contrasting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the US illustrates a good example: while both laws concern data protection, the GDPR is broader and more robust (with breaches more likely to result in fines for your business) than HIPAA, but where each state in the US may have additional rules and regulations, (e.g. Massachusetts, where Arielle and I live).
How to become SHRM certified
The exam I took is called the SHRM-CP (Certified Practitioner), which, during the December 2022 – February 2023 testing window, had a pass rate of 68%. (Full details of the exam here).
It is divided into two sections of 110 minutes in length with 67 multiple choice questions in each section, and the questions come in two types: test of factual information (like HIPAA rules) and situational judgment questions (testing how you would apply your knowledge in a workplace scenario).
These questions are based SHRM’s BASK, or Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge. The exam cost me $335.00 or €310.00 (early bird, member price), but ranges up to $510.00 or €472.00 for non-members and my employer very kindly paid for both my exam fee and SHRM membership.
To prepare yourself for the exam, SHRM offers a comprehensive, online Learning System; however, not long after moving back to the United States from Europe, the $1,025.00 or €947.00 price tag was prohibitive for me, and it wasn’t an amount I wished to asked my employer to pay.
If you don’t have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in human resource management, or perhaps you’re still building your proficiency in business English, I would certainly recommend the system, but I decided to self-study using test prep books easy to find online for purchase.
Ultimately, passing the exam took me approximately 14 weeks of study at 1 hour of study per day, 7 days a week, and only around $90.00 or €84.00 in study materials.
While doing a multiple-choice exam with simulated situational questions is far from perfect, I feel that the test provides an excellent motivator to study the US rules and regulations, which have already been helpful on the job in my HR role.
The SHRM exam won’t ask you state-specific questions, but acquiring knowledge of federal legislation will make it easier to learn how it’s applied in your state, e.g. the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination is where you will argue on behalf of your employer when claims of discrimination are filed by employees often coming under the Civil Rights Act.
I would highly recommend anyone practicing HR in the US market, especially those coming to the States from Europe, to become SHRM certified and give your career here a vital boost.
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