From all the acronyms beside Todd Dockery’s name (MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS…the list goes on), it’s obvious that, when it comes to HR, he knows his stuff. However, more important than the letters, SHRM instructor Todd Dockery cares about seeing his students earn certifications and go on to impact the world with their skills and knowledge. In an effort to help students meet their goals, Todd shared five tips that he would encourage students to take advantage of as they study for their SHRM Certification exam.
1. COMMIT TO THE EXAM
“Make a time commitment to study and prepare, and be sure that the time is well-spent.”
2. PREPARE, BUT ENSURE YOU’RE PREPARING EFFECTIVELY
“Try a variety of practice questions. The more practice questions you answer, the better prepared you’ll be. But remember, while practice questions are helpful, they’re not a replacement for studying and learning. Some students become overconfident when they repeatedly take practice exams and see their scores improving—but they aren’t learning the content, they’re just memorizing the practice questions!”
3. TAKE THE EXAM SERIOUSLY
“While you may have several years of HR experience, you still need to review, study, and learn the various concepts and topics covered in the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge.”
4. GET CONNECTED
“Participate in discussions and study groups. SHRM Connect is an excellent online community for SHRM members to discuss all kinds of HR topics. Also, meet local HR professionals and peers to collaborate with in local study groups. The professionals you will meet through UTC’s SHRM Exam Prep course are excellent for this!”
5. TAKE UTC’S PREP COURSE
“All of these tips and more can be accomplished with the last (but certainly not least) tip: Enroll in the UTC SHRM Exam Prep course! This is a great opportunity to spend time studying, have access to online and course practice questions and other tools, and meet local professionals that share your interest in learning more about HR.”
To learn more about Todd, the SHRM Exam Prep course, and his PEZ dispenser collection (of over 1600!), check out his Instructor Spotlight.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Marah Whitaker (think Laura with an M) serves as the marketing assistant for the UTC Center for Professional Education. During the workday, she spends time writing blog posts, creating content for social media, developing email campaigns, and building relationships with CPE’s customer base. During her free time, you can find her getting lost in a good book, having spontaneous dance parties, playing piano, and going to Buffalo Wild Wings on Wing Night. Professionally and personally, she aspires to live by Mr. Feeny’s advice, “Dream. Believe. Try. Do Good.” She strives to use her passions to serve others and contribute positively to the world around her.
Connect with Marah on LinkedIn.