A swiftly evolving workplace requires workforce agility, especially for HR. Your practice touches every aspect of work, so you have to be agile to keep yourself and your organization from collapsing under the weight of constant change. Understanding HR’s role at every point and location of your business is essential, and earning multiple certifications can help you do that.

“Holding multiple certifications at the same time shows a trajectory of commitment to HR practice,” says JD Nomdedeu, HRCI’s director of international business development and partnerships. That commitment translates to business growth and success.

Here’s how multiple certifications can help you and your HR practice stand out from the crowd.

Establishes the Breadth of Your HR Knowledge

HR is a diverse profession, covering responsibilities as specific as payroll and as vast as global talent acquisition strategy. Multiple certifications demonstrate which areas you are most competent. “Just because someone says, ‘I work in HR,’ doesn't mean that they know what's happening across the spectrum of HR practice,” Nomdedeu says. Holding multiple certifications demonstrates your mastery of HR, he says, from operations to strategy.

The aPHR™, for example, focuses on legal compliance. It offers a broad understanding of HR’s range for new practitioners and managers. The SPHR™, on the other hand, is more focused on strategy. It supports understanding business needs and the development of HR leaders.

Provides a Record of Your Continuing Education Activities

Maintaining each certification requires continuing education in the area it represents. “Active credentials are proof of expanding knowledge,” Nomdedeu says. The continuing education requirement of each certification expands on a specific set of competencies, he suggests, giving you the knowledge you need to support comprehensive business growth.

In this sense, additional certifications can be more beneficial for your practice than degrees. A master’s degree has a definite end, whereas certification requires continuous learning to maintain. “Professional development on a regular basis is more valuable,” Nomdedeu says. “It really counts more than just getting another degree.” Multiple certifications keep you up-to-date across the HR spectrum, giving you the ability to pivot in today’s turbulent work environment. 

Proves Your Commitment to the Profession

The time and resources you spend obtaining and retaining multiple certifications demonstrates your commitment to HR and the people and organization you serve. “The commitment of HR practitioners to the profession takes them through different roles and stages of their professional development,” Nomdedeu says. HR is vital to an organization’s success, and holding multiple certifications proves that you aren’t just waiting for change to rock your company’s boat — you’re ready to face it head-on. 

Adding the GPHR™, for example, shows that you’re anticipating business changes as the economy expands globally. “The GPHR supports business operations according to international standards,” Nomdedeu says. For companies looking to go global, this is a valuable asset. Combined with international credentials (aPHRi, PHRi or SPHRi™), the GPHR supports your practice in other countries and regions of the world.