Exam Content Outlines
Below are the sections of the exam content outlines for this functional area. These specifications detail the responsibilities and knowledge covered on the certification exams. The item numbering is not sequential here because it reflects the numbering system employed in the exam content outline.
PHR Functional Area 2: Talent Planning and Acquisition (16%)
Responsibilities:
01 Understand federal laws and organizational policies to adhere to legal and ethical requirements in hiring (e.g., EEO compliance, Title VII, nepotism, disparate impact, FLSA, independent contractors)
02 Develop and implement sourcing methods and techniques (e.g., employee referrals, diversity groups, social media).
03 Execute the talent acquisition lifecycle (e.g., interviews, extending offers, background checks, negotiation).
Knowledge of:
12 Applicable federal laws and regulations related to talent planning and acquisition activities
13 Planning concepts and terms (e.g., succession planning, forecasting)
14 Current market situation and talent pool availability
15 Staffing alternatives (e.g., outsourcing, temporary employment)
16 Interviewing and selection techniques, concepts and terms
17 Applicant tracking systems and/or methods
18 Impact of total rewards on recruitment and retention
19 Candidate/employee testing process and procedures
20 Verbal and written offer/contract techniques
21 New hire employee orientation process and procedures
22 Internal workforce assessments (e.g., skills testing, workforce demographics, analysis
23 Transition techniques for corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence process, off-shoring, and divestitures)
24 Metrics to assess past and future staffing effectiveness (e.g., cost per hire, selection ratios, adverse impact)
SPHR Functional Area 2: Talent Planning and Acquisition (16%)
Responsibilities
01 Evaluate and forecast organizational needs throughout business cycle to create or develop workforce plans (e.g., corporate restructuring, workforce expansion or reduction).
02 Develop, monitor, and assess recruitment strategies to attract desired talent (e.g., labor market analysis, compensation strategies, selection process, onboarding, sourcing and branding strategy).
03 Develop and evaluate strategies for engaging new employees and managing cultural integrations (e.g., new employee acculturation, downsizing, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, global expansion).
Knowledge of
17 Planning techniques (e.g., succession planning, forecasting)
18 Talent management practices and techniques (e.g., selecting and assessing employees)
19 Recruitment sources and strategies
20 Staffing alternatives (e.g., outsourcing, temporary employment)
21 Interviewing and selection techniques and strategies
22 Impact of total rewards on recruitment and retention
23 Termination approaches and strategies
24 Employee engagement strategies
25 Employer marketing and branding techniques
26 Negotiation skills and techniques
27 Due diligence processes (e.g., mergers and acquisitions, divestitures)
28 Transition techniques for corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, offshoring, and divestitures
29 Methods to assess past and future staffing effectiveness (e.g., cost per hire, selection ratios, adverse impact)