Sandra M. Reed - PHR / SPHR

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Copyright 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

ISBN: 978-1-118-28917-4

ISBN: 978-1-118-42430-8 (ebk.)

ISBN: 978-1-118-33169-9 (ebk.)

ISBN: 978-1-118-33501-7 (ebk.)

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Dear Reader,

Thank you for choosing PHR/SPHR: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Fourth Edition. This book is part of a family of premium-quality Sybex books, all of which are written by outstanding authors who combine practical experience with a gift for teaching.

Sybex was founded in 1976. More than 30 years later, we're still committed to producing consistently exceptional books. With each of our titles, we're working hard to set a new standard for the industry. From the paper we print on, to the authors we work with, our goal is to bring you the best books available.

I hope you see all that refl ected in these pages. I'd be very interested to hear your comments and get your feedback on how we're doing. Feel free to let me know what you think about this or any other Sybex book by sending me an email at nedde@wiley.com. If you think you've found a technical error in this book, please visit http://sybex.custhelp.com. Customer feedback is critical to our efforts at Sybex.

To my husband Chris, whose three little words never fail to inspire me: Go for it. To my children, Calvin and Clara, because the best part of me will eternally be each of you. I am filled with love and gratitude for having the three of you in my life.

Acknowledgments

Any acknowledgement in the updating of this book must begin by recognizing the professionalism and intellect of Anne Bogardus. Her thoroughness and attention to detail represented in the previous editions of this work made writing these updates an absolute career highlight.

To the editors Jeff Kellum, Kim Wimpsett, Pete Gaughan, Brenda Budke, Christine O'Connor and Tim Tate, thank you for your professionalism, encouragement, superior organizational skills and insightful additions to the expanded version of this work it absolutely made for a better final product.

A book like this requires a great deal of time and thought, and nobody felt that more than my clients, co-workers, and support staff who watched me attempt to juggle it all. To TAGS, VWC, and my clients at SBDC, thank you for allowing me a peek into your business, for letting me rattle your cage with strategic leaps, for picking up the slack when I went underground, and for supporting my crazy scheduleI quite literally could not have done it without you.

Finally, to the students, a brief mention of my own testing experience: I remember sitting in my hotel room the night before my SPHR exam, trying to cram in a few more details, desperate to figure out what I didn't already know. It was around Christmas time, and my youngest child was just 2 years old. Feeling guilty for being away from my family and with my confidence at an all-time low, I wondered if I was really up for the challenge. Then, surrounded by my books and flashcards, I suddenly got it. The pieces starting fitting together, the processes had rationale, and the big picture came into clear focus. The next morning, I took a 4-hour exam in just 2 hours and passed it on the first go-round. My excitement about being a part of this project is a reflection of that one a-ha moment, representing for me when HR crosses over from just being a job to an intelligent, strategic career choice. My hope is that with each pass through this material, you will get closer to your own enlightened moment when suddenly, you just get it. Many thanks, and good luck in your careerthis absolutely can happen for you!