PHR Exam Study Guide: Business Management & Talent Acquisition

PHR Exam Study Guide

• Business Management (20%): Focuses on HR's strategic role within the organization.
  • Understand HR's contribution to business strategy.
  • Align HR activities with organizational goals.
  • Contribute to organizational decision-making.
  • Analyze business metrics and interpret financial statements.
  • Understand key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Participate in organizational risk management.
  • Advocate for ethical practices.
  • Understand corporate social responsibility (CSR).
  • Apply change management principles.
  • Understand project management methodologies.
  • Oversee HR projects.
  • Perform HR analytics and benchmarking.
  • Calculate metrics like turnover rates, ROI, and cost-per-hire.

Talent Planning and Acquisition (16%)

• Workforce Planning: Predict staffing needs and create comprehensive plans.

  • Forecast staffing needs.
  • Conduct job analyses.
  • Develop job descriptions.

• Recruitment: Attract qualified candidates.

  • Develop recruitment strategies.
  • Source candidates through various channels.

• Selection: Evaluate candidates and select the best fit.

  • Employ effective interviewing techniques.
  • Address legal considerations in hiring.
  • Assess candidates effectively.

• Onboarding: Integrate new hires smoothly.

  • Develop comprehensive onboarding programs.
  • Integrate new hires into organizational culture.

Learning and Development (10%)

• Training Programs: Design and implement effective training programs.

  • Conduct training needs assessments.
  • Design and deliver training sessions.

• Employee Development: Foster career growth.

  • Create career development plans.
  • Implement leadership training programs.

• Evaluating Training Effectiveness: Measure training impact accurately.

  • Apply Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation.
  • Calculate ROI in training.

• Succession Planning: Identify and develop future leaders.

  • Identify high-potential employees.
  • Implement succession strategies.

Total Rewards (15%)

• Compensation: Manage compensation fairly and effectively.

  • Understand job evaluation methods.
  • Design pay structures and salary surveys.

• Benefits: Offer comprehensive benefits packages.

  • Provide health and wellness benefits.
  • Offer retirement plans (e.g., 401(k), pensions).

• Employee Recognition: Acknowledge and reward employees.

  • Develop recognition and rewards programs.
  • Ensure alignment with company goals.

• Legal Compliance: Adhere to employment laws.

  • Understand the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
  • Understand the Equal Pay Act (EPA).

Employee Relations and Engagement (20%)

• Workplace Policies: Create and enforce company policies.

  • Develop and communicate HR policies.
  • Address workplace misconduct and harassment.

• Employee Engagement: Improve employee morale and retention.

  • Implement strategies for improving morale and retention.
  • Conduct and act on employee satisfaction surveys.

• Conflict Resolution: Resolve workplace conflicts constructively.

  • Employ mediation and arbitration techniques.
  • Foster a positive workplace culture.

• Performance Management: Evaluate and improve employee performance.

  • Implement effective performance appraisal systems.
  • Address underperformance.

Risk Management (19%)

• Health and Safety: Maintain a safe and healthy workplace.

  • Adhere to OSHA standards.
  • Develop workplace safety programs.

• Workplace Violence Prevention: Mitigate potential violence.

  • Create and implement policies to reduce risks.
  • Conduct threat assessments.

• Data Security: Protect employee data.

  • Protect employee records and sensitive information.
  • Understand legal implications of data breaches.

• Business Continuity Planning: Ensure business operations during disruptions.

  • Develop disaster recovery and emergency planning.
  • Maintain HR operations during disruptions.

• Compliance: Ensure adherence to employment laws.

  • Understand employment laws and regulations (e.g., ADA, FMLA, NLRA).
  • Develop audit processes to ensure adherence.

Additional Study Tips

• Exam Structure: The PHR exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, with a three-hour time limit.
• Official Resources: Utilize HRCI materials such as the "PHR Exam Prep Guide".
• Practice Tests: Regularly take mock exams to identify areas needing improvement.
• Study Groups: Collaborate with peers for support and discussion.
• Stay Updated: The HR field evolves; stay current with changes in regulations and best practices.

Prepare for the PHR exam with this comprehensive study guide focusing on Business Management and Talent Planning. Understand the strategic role of HR in organizations and learn key concepts like workforce planning and project management. This guide covers essential metrics, ethical practices, and the fundamentals of HR strategy.