12 answers
Siddhi
Student
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
3
Questions
Updated
2048 views
Which certifications can help me to land a job which are relevant today ?
I am an MBA grad with HRBP experience and its been three months since im job hunting, how and in which skill should i upskill myself to land a job?
Which skills are important to pursue as an HR in todays world?
12 answers
Yashasvi Raikwar
Marketing Coordinator
15
Answers
Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Updated
Yashasvi’s Answer
Hi Siddhi, just to add to the great suggestions already shared 💛 One thing I'd really encourage is creating a few small HR projects of your own instead of only focusing on certifications. For example, you could design an onboarding plan for a fictional company, create a recruitment strategy for a specific role, or even analyze a company's Glassdoor reviews and suggest ways they could improve their employer brand or employee experience. These projects don't have to be for a real organization, they simply show employers how you think and approach problems, and that can often leave a stronger impression than another certificate. You got this! 🌱
Tara Wilkerson
10
Answers
Updated
Tara’s Answer
Hi Siddhi. If you're interested in getting a certification in HR, consider the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). These are often sought after by employers. You might also find it helpful to subscribe to HR newsletters for the latest insights. Building your skills in analytics and AI is also a great idea since being able to analyze data and spot trends is highly valued in HR. You've got this, and good luck on your journey!
Sarah Cockrell, MBA, MSCM
Organizational Development
55
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
HR is evolving, but at its core, it’s still a people-centered profession. Technical skills and certifications can help, but don’t overlook the human skills that make great HR business partners effective.
I’d focus on strengthening areas such as communication, conflict management, employee relations, interviewing and talent selection, organizational learning, career development, and workplace investigations. Depending on the organization, an HRBP may lead these functions directly or partner closely with specialists, so understanding how they work together is valuable.
On the technical side, become comfortable with HRIS/HCM platforms and other enterprise systems. Even if you’re not a systems expert, knowing how to use HR technology and interpret workforce data will make you more effective.
Rather than collecting certifications for the sake of having them, choose ones that align with the type of HR role you want. Employers are often looking for someone who can build trust with leaders, navigate difficult conversations, and help develop people just as much as they value technical expertise.
I’d focus on strengthening areas such as communication, conflict management, employee relations, interviewing and talent selection, organizational learning, career development, and workplace investigations. Depending on the organization, an HRBP may lead these functions directly or partner closely with specialists, so understanding how they work together is valuable.
On the technical side, become comfortable with HRIS/HCM platforms and other enterprise systems. Even if you’re not a systems expert, knowing how to use HR technology and interpret workforce data will make you more effective.
Rather than collecting certifications for the sake of having them, choose ones that align with the type of HR role you want. Employers are often looking for someone who can build trust with leaders, navigate difficult conversations, and help develop people just as much as they value technical expertise.
Wong Loke Yuen
Dean; Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
765
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
For someone with an MBA and previous HRBP experience, I would prioritize certifications and skills that strengthen your existing HR background rather than starting over.
Some useful areas to develop are:
1. HR Analytics
Learn how to use data to understand employee turnover, engagement, hiring, performance, and workforce trends. Become comfortable with Excel and basic data analysis.
2. HR Technology
Learn how modern HR systems work. You don't need to master every system, but understanding how HR technology supports recruitment, payroll, performance, and employee data is valuable.
3. AI in HR
Learn how AI is being used for recruitment, employee engagement, workforce planning, learning and development, and HR analytics.
4. Employment/Labor Law
Strengthen your knowledge of employment regulations relevant to the country where you want to work.
5. Strategic HR and Workforce Planning
Since you already have HRBP experience, develop your ability to connect HR decisions with business goals. Learn about workforce planning, succession planning, organizational development, compensation, and performance management.
6. Communication and Leadership
HR professionals need strong communication, negotiation, conflict-resolution, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
For certifications, you could research recognized qualifications such as SHRM-CP or CIPD qualifications, depending on your location and the type of HR roles you are targeting.
Some useful areas to develop are:
1. HR Analytics
Learn how to use data to understand employee turnover, engagement, hiring, performance, and workforce trends. Become comfortable with Excel and basic data analysis.
2. HR Technology
Learn how modern HR systems work. You don't need to master every system, but understanding how HR technology supports recruitment, payroll, performance, and employee data is valuable.
3. AI in HR
Learn how AI is being used for recruitment, employee engagement, workforce planning, learning and development, and HR analytics.
4. Employment/Labor Law
Strengthen your knowledge of employment regulations relevant to the country where you want to work.
5. Strategic HR and Workforce Planning
Since you already have HRBP experience, develop your ability to connect HR decisions with business goals. Learn about workforce planning, succession planning, organizational development, compensation, and performance management.
6. Communication and Leadership
HR professionals need strong communication, negotiation, conflict-resolution, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
For certifications, you could research recognized qualifications such as SHRM-CP or CIPD qualifications, depending on your location and the type of HR roles you are targeting.
Sijoy Sagar
Program Manager
63
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sijoy’s Answer
Hi Siddhi,
With your MBA and HRBP experience, you are already off to a great start. To boost your HR credibility and job prospects, consider getting certified with SHRM-CP or PHR, which are well-respected in India. These certifications will make you stand out. Adding skills in HR Analytics or Digital HR tools will further enhance your profile, as employers value HR professionals who combine people skills with data insights and digital know-how.
Recommended Certifications:
1. SHRM-CP (SHRM): Ideal for HR generalists and operational roles.
2. PHR (HRCI): Suited for mid-career HR roles.
3. SHRM-SCP / SPHR: For senior HR leaders.
4. aPHR (HRCI): Entry-level, no experience needed.
5. Specialty Certifications (CCP, CEBS, CPTD, GPHR): For areas like Compensation, Benefits, L&D, Global HR.
Certified HR professionals often earn 5–15% more than those without credentials.
Key Skills to Develop:
1. HR Analytics & People Data: Learn tools like Power BI, Tableau, or AIHR’s People Analytics.
2. Digital HR Tools: Get familiar with HRIS systems such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM.
3. Employee Experience & Engagement: Focus on designing employee journeys, wellness programs, and DEI initiatives.
4. Change Management & Agile HR: Consider certifications in agile practices or change management (Prosci, Agile HR).
5. Global HR & Compliance: Understand labor laws, cross-border HR practices, and global mobility.
Practical Next Steps:
1. Start with SHRM-CP or PHR certification.
2. Add HR Analytics training to show your data-driven HR skills.
3. Network through NHRDN, SHRM India, or LinkedIn HR groups.
4. Update your resume to highlight certifications, HRBP experience, and analytics/digital HR skills.
My Personal Advice: Siddhi, you are already well-equipped with your MBA and HRBP experience. By earning a certification like SHRM-CP or PHR and enhancing your skills in HR analytics and digital systems, you will become a strong contender in Mumbai’s job market. Each step you take now is an investment in your future as an HR leader. Keep moving forward and all the very best for your futur endeavors
With your MBA and HRBP experience, you are already off to a great start. To boost your HR credibility and job prospects, consider getting certified with SHRM-CP or PHR, which are well-respected in India. These certifications will make you stand out. Adding skills in HR Analytics or Digital HR tools will further enhance your profile, as employers value HR professionals who combine people skills with data insights and digital know-how.
Recommended Certifications:
1. SHRM-CP (SHRM): Ideal for HR generalists and operational roles.
2. PHR (HRCI): Suited for mid-career HR roles.
3. SHRM-SCP / SPHR: For senior HR leaders.
4. aPHR (HRCI): Entry-level, no experience needed.
5. Specialty Certifications (CCP, CEBS, CPTD, GPHR): For areas like Compensation, Benefits, L&D, Global HR.
Certified HR professionals often earn 5–15% more than those without credentials.
Key Skills to Develop:
1. HR Analytics & People Data: Learn tools like Power BI, Tableau, or AIHR’s People Analytics.
2. Digital HR Tools: Get familiar with HRIS systems such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM.
3. Employee Experience & Engagement: Focus on designing employee journeys, wellness programs, and DEI initiatives.
4. Change Management & Agile HR: Consider certifications in agile practices or change management (Prosci, Agile HR).
5. Global HR & Compliance: Understand labor laws, cross-border HR practices, and global mobility.
Practical Next Steps:
1. Start with SHRM-CP or PHR certification.
2. Add HR Analytics training to show your data-driven HR skills.
3. Network through NHRDN, SHRM India, or LinkedIn HR groups.
4. Update your resume to highlight certifications, HRBP experience, and analytics/digital HR skills.
My Personal Advice: Siddhi, you are already well-equipped with your MBA and HRBP experience. By earning a certification like SHRM-CP or PHR and enhancing your skills in HR analytics and digital systems, you will become a strong contender in Mumbai’s job market. Each step you take now is an investment in your future as an HR leader. Keep moving forward and all the very best for your futur endeavors
Michelle Brenier
Content Writer
6
Answers
Hanford, California
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
If you have an MBA and HRBP experience, don't just get certifications to add to your resume. Focus on improving skills that link HR strategy to business results and data.
Key areas to focus on:
HR analytics and people analytics: Learn tools like Excel, Power BI, and Tableau. Understand dashboards, workforce metrics, attrition analysis, and make decisions based on data.
HR technology and AI: Get familiar with HRIS platforms, AI in recruiting, automation, and how AI impacts workforce planning and employee experience.
Strategic workforce planning: Work on headcount planning, succession planning, talent strategy, and connect people initiatives to business goals.
Employee relations and organizational development: Improve skills in stakeholder management, change management, performance management, and organizational design.
Business acumen: Understand financial metrics, productivity, costs, and how HR initiatives impact the business.
Employment law and compliance: Important if you aim for HRBP or roles focused on employee relations.
When considering certifications, choose those that match the job descriptions you're interested in. Depending on your market, certifications like SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, HRCI PHR/SPHR, or those in people analytics or Power BI might be helpful.
With your HRBP experience, take a few weeks to target your efforts: review 20–30 HRBP/HR Manager job descriptions, find the top 3 skills you lack, and improve those. Update your resume to highlight measurable results from your HRBP role, not just your duties.
Three months of job searching doesn't always mean you need another certification. Sometimes, it's more about how you position yourself, target your search, or show your impact on your resume.
Key areas to focus on:
HR analytics and people analytics: Learn tools like Excel, Power BI, and Tableau. Understand dashboards, workforce metrics, attrition analysis, and make decisions based on data.
HR technology and AI: Get familiar with HRIS platforms, AI in recruiting, automation, and how AI impacts workforce planning and employee experience.
Strategic workforce planning: Work on headcount planning, succession planning, talent strategy, and connect people initiatives to business goals.
Employee relations and organizational development: Improve skills in stakeholder management, change management, performance management, and organizational design.
Business acumen: Understand financial metrics, productivity, costs, and how HR initiatives impact the business.
Employment law and compliance: Important if you aim for HRBP or roles focused on employee relations.
When considering certifications, choose those that match the job descriptions you're interested in. Depending on your market, certifications like SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, HRCI PHR/SPHR, or those in people analytics or Power BI might be helpful.
With your HRBP experience, take a few weeks to target your efforts: review 20–30 HRBP/HR Manager job descriptions, find the top 3 skills you lack, and improve those. Update your resume to highlight measurable results from your HRBP role, not just your duties.
Three months of job searching doesn't always mean you need another certification. Sometimes, it's more about how you position yourself, target your search, or show your impact on your resume.
Jasmine Jackson
DEI & Employee Experience Manager
12
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Jasmine’s Answer
Hi Siddhi!
For HR with the MBA layer (I am in a similar position), here are somethings i've been thinking about for myself too in places to upskill:
- AI x HR: How it can enable more efficient functions
- AI Change Management x HR: how you help employees/companies/leadership implement AI into their business operations and ecosystem
- People Analytics and Insights: Data is huge! Leaders want to understand sentiments, impact, and ROI. Data is critical and companies want to know that you can take their data and make it usable in a way that is action/insight oriented. With your education, i'm sure you have the skill sets, but anything to help boost and showcase that would be a solid asset.
- I think project management is always a classic but i'm not fully sure how much that's paying off in the HR space as much as change management, data analytics, AI, and internal communications.
For HR with the MBA layer (I am in a similar position), here are somethings i've been thinking about for myself too in places to upskill:
- AI x HR: How it can enable more efficient functions
- AI Change Management x HR: how you help employees/companies/leadership implement AI into their business operations and ecosystem
- People Analytics and Insights: Data is huge! Leaders want to understand sentiments, impact, and ROI. Data is critical and companies want to know that you can take their data and make it usable in a way that is action/insight oriented. With your education, i'm sure you have the skill sets, but anything to help boost and showcase that would be a solid asset.
- I think project management is always a classic but i'm not fully sure how much that's paying off in the HR space as much as change management, data analytics, AI, and internal communications.
Mrinalini Singh
Project Manager
145
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Mrinalini’s Answer
If you've graduated with an MBA and have HRBP experience, you're already on a great path! To boost your career, consider getting certified in SHRM-CP or PHR. Adding skills in People Analytics using tools like Excel or Power BI, along with AI for HR, will make you even more appealing to employers. Instead of gathering many certifications, focus on mastering HR technology, workforce analytics, and AI-driven HR practices. These areas will help you stand out. Don't forget to enhance your LinkedIn profile, actively network, and showcase your HRBP achievements. Networking can open more doors than you might think. You're on the right track, and good luck on your journey!
Brennell Sobers
Senior Healthcare Recruiter
6
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Brennell’s Answer
To land a role faster, focus on HR analytics, HR tech systems, and strategic HR capabilities. The most important skills for today’s HR roles are People AnalytiWith an MBA and HRBP experience, you already have a strong foundation. The challenge you’re facing in your job search is very common right now — HR roles have become more data‑driven and tech‑focused, so employers are looking for candidates who can combine traditional HR skills with modern HR capabilities.
To increase your chances of landing a role, the best place to upskill is in areas that show you can support strategic decision‑making and handle HR technology. I’d recommend focusing on People Analytics, HRIS systems, and Talent Strategy. These are the skills that make HR professionals stand out in today’s market.
Employers are prioritizing HR candidates who can interpret data, build dashboards, understand workforce trends, and use platforms like Workday, SuccessFactors, or UKG. Strength in these areas shows that you can partner effectively with leadership and contribute to business outcomes, which is exactly what companies want from HRBPs and generalists right now.
Alongside the technical skills, it’s also important to strengthen areas like employee experience, change management, and AI in HR. These skills help you support organizational growth and make you more competitive across different HR roles.
If you focus your upskilling in these areas over the next few months, you’ll be in a much stronger position to secure interviews and land a role that aligns with your background and long‑term goals.cs, HRIS mastery, Talent Strategy, Employee Experience, and AI‑driven HR tools.
To increase your chances of landing a role, the best place to upskill is in areas that show you can support strategic decision‑making and handle HR technology. I’d recommend focusing on People Analytics, HRIS systems, and Talent Strategy. These are the skills that make HR professionals stand out in today’s market.
Employers are prioritizing HR candidates who can interpret data, build dashboards, understand workforce trends, and use platforms like Workday, SuccessFactors, or UKG. Strength in these areas shows that you can partner effectively with leadership and contribute to business outcomes, which is exactly what companies want from HRBPs and generalists right now.
Alongside the technical skills, it’s also important to strengthen areas like employee experience, change management, and AI in HR. These skills help you support organizational growth and make you more competitive across different HR roles.
If you focus your upskilling in these areas over the next few months, you’ll be in a much stronger position to secure interviews and land a role that aligns with your background and long‑term goals.cs, HRIS mastery, Talent Strategy, Employee Experience, and AI‑driven HR tools.
surabhi singh
Working in pwc
4
Answers
Raipur
Updated
surabhi’s Answer
HR and people analytics: Find out how to use tools like Excel, Power BI, and Tableau in a fun way. Learn to make dashboards, keep an eye on workforce numbers, understand why employees leave, and make smart choices based on data.
HR technology and AI: Dive into HRIS platforms, AI in hiring, and automation. Discover how AI can make workforce planning better and improve the experience for employees.
HR technology and AI: Dive into HRIS platforms, AI in hiring, and automation. Discover how AI can make workforce planning better and improve the experience for employees.
Karimay Moolji Khan
Human Resources Manager
3
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
Karimay’s Answer
Hi Siddhi,
I suggest you start using AI tools to improve your skills. These tools weren't around much when I began my HRBP career, but they've become very popular recently.
I suggest you start using AI tools to improve your skills. These tools weren't around much when I began my HRBP career, but they've become very popular recently.
AnnMaria Hassan
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
AnnMaria’s Answer
I suggest adding to your core HR management skills by learning how AI can help you manage people and tasks more efficiently every day. Also, explore how AI works with visual analytics to better understand your audience and clients.
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