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Blogs . NPPA Blog
 
Subject: 2010 NPPA - Spring 11  Posted by NPPA: 4/27/2010
The last week before the exam comes pretty quick doesn’t it?
 
Some people think that this is the most critical studying time… and maybe it is, but what are you really going to learn this week that you didn’t know last week?
 
I’m sure there were a few middle fingers at that statement, but seriously – relax.
 
Most of you have been studying for months and have probably become pretty comfortable with the material, have a method of analysis that works for you, etc. but the proximity to the exam date is what worries you.
 
This is normal.
 
This Week
 
Do whatever it takes to get your confidence up. Is there certain music that gets you feeling pumped? Listen to it.
 
Is there a favourite food you haven’t had in awhile? Have it.
 
Is there a certain movie that makes you laugh or get relaxed? Watch it.
 
Whatever tools you utilize during stressful times – go ahead and use them now. The quality of studying you have done in preparation for exam day will influence your results. If you are confident you have studied the best you can and utilize a problem solving approach, you should do well!
 
Be sure you know where your exam location is, go by it this week – recognize that it is your turf and in a week’s time you’ll be walking out a CHRP (unfortunately you will need to wait for official results)!
 
Week 11 Update
 
Judging by the answers on the Facebook group discussion board everyone seems pretty confident that the best answer is:
 
A)    Tell James that if Greg would like to discuss the outcomes of the hiring decisions with you that you would be happy to do so with him.
 
This is correct!
 
As a hiring manager what takes place during the interview process is between you and the applicants. Any breach of this can put you in a legal minefield. 
 
I don’t have a new case for you this week… ya sorry… I think the most important thing to do now is to do a review of everything, brush up on some terms, and try not to overwhelm yourself.
 
If you have any questions over the next few days feel free to message me or post on our Facebook group:
 
Canadian HR Press – Guides & Resources
 
Alternatively, you can email me at nppa@canadianhrpress.ca
 
Best of luck this weekend!
 
Ian
Subject: 2010 NPPA - Spring 10  Posted by NPPA: 4/19/2010
Welcome back!
 
In the last 2 weeks, you will no doubt be nervous and second guessing yourself – I know I did. Even the best laid study plans start to get questioned, you get frustrated, a little paranoid… trust me it’s normal!
 
These emotions can work for, or against you. You can either allow this paranoia to crush you, or you can channel the energy into focusing on the task at hand – make your choice! Whatever you do, try to surround yourself with positive thoughts and positive people - misery loves company, don’t let her invite you to the party!
 
This Week
 
Well I guess last week’s question was too easy huh?
 
On the Facebook group everyone got the answer right:
 
c)       Meet with the management team and inform them of the feedback received. Collectively, review the current performance review criteria and ensure it is goal-oriented.
 
The reason this is the answer is because the management team may be following the performance review criteria, but is it a valid measurement? Also, being a medium-sized firm it would not be uncommon for someone of a Director level to be involved in a review process with management. D would make an excellent follow-up step.
 
Week 10 Update
 
You are an HR Officer in a small financial institution in Port Alfred, Quebec. You recently had a vacancy open in your organization and 5 applicants were interviewed, one of which was the friend of a current employee (James) who referred his friend. James walks into your office quite upset and says, “Why the hell didn’t you hire Greg? He was qualified to do the job!”
 
James has always been a good employee and this outburst takes you by somewhat of a surprise, but you understand James’ frustrations.
 
What do you do?
 
A)    Tell James that if Greg would like to discuss the outcomes of the hiring decision with you that you would be happy to do so with him.
B)    Tell James that there were a number of factors that went into the hiring decision and you would be happy to discuss them with him.
C)    Tell James there may be an upcoming vacancy if he bursts into your office like that again.
D)    Ignore James for the time being. He is simply blowing off some steam and needs some time to get over it – these things always iron themselves out.
 
I look forward to seeing your answers on the discussion board on our Facebook group:
 
Canadian HR Press – Guides & Resources
 
If you have any questions in the meantime let me know at nppa@canadianhrpress.ca
 
Keep you nose to the grindstone over the next 2 weeks and then the summer is yours!
 
Ian
Subject: 2010 NPPA - Spring 9  Posted by NPPA: 4/11/2010
So 3 weeks left – must be exciting eh?
 
Think about it, you keep your nose to the grindstone for another 3 weeks and then the summer is yours!
 
If you’ve had a good study regimen in place you could be a CHRP by this fall!
 
This Week
 
I just want to say how much I enjoyed reading the responses to last week’s CI. OSN’s are no doubt becoming a major part of the business landscape, and many employers will admit to ‘Googling’ applicants – but does it make it right?
 
Some folks said ‘well if the job was social media based maybe it would be appropriate’.
 
Be careful of this trap. Only use the information provided in the CI – considering information not presented in the case can negatively impact your rationale.
 
The answer was:
 
C - Thank the student for this additional research, but inform her that unless an applicant discloses this additional info that it should not be used in the decision-making process
 
Despite how much OSN’s permeate our day-to-day lives, the hiring process needs to be respectful of applicants’ privacy. Applicants who are denied a job based on their OSN history may make a discrimination case against your organization – successful or not, this is bad press. Also, you are an HR Professional; you have a duty to educate the co-op student under your supervision.
 
Week 9 Update
 
You are the HR Director for a medium sized underwriting firm. About a month ago you issued an Employee Satisfaction Survey (ESS) with the goal of seeing what employees felt management needed to improve on. The survey was conducted online, to ensure anonymity, and distributed to every non-management employee in the firm.
 
The survey results have returned and 78% of the respondents said that the management team does not ‘satisfactorily deal with poor performers.’ You have always prided yourself on being ‘tough but fair’ and try to instill this into the management team, so this does come to you as a bit of a surprise.
You know that you need to respond to this survey, or employees will not take future feedback initiatives seriously.
 
What do you do?
 
a)     Have a meeting with your management team – tell them they are ‘getting soft’ and need to start ‘cracking the whip’ at the upcoming performance reviews.
b)     Have a staff meeting with the different departments, along with the representing managers. Inform staff that poor performers will be under close watch in the next quarter.
c)      Meet with the management team and inform them of the feedback received. Collectively, review the current performance review criteria and ensure it is goal-oriented.
d)     Meet with the management team and inform them of the feedback received. Remind them that their role as managers is ensure top-performers are rewarded, and that poor performance needs to be addressed and corrected.
 
I look forward to seeing your answers on the discussion board on our Facebook group:
 
Canadian HR Press – Guides & Resources
 
If you have any questions in the meantime let me know at nppa@canadianhrpress.ca
 
Ian
Subject: 2010 NPPA - Spring 8  Posted by NPPA: 4/5/2010
Hello all,
 
So what are your plans for after the exam? I was serious last week when I said you should plan for something fun – no sense in doing all this studying and not having fun afterwards!
 
This Week
 
Well it looks like your research paid off!
 
Those of you that posted on the Facebook group all chose:
 
C - Tell Craig that, despite the company culture, his actions and argument for them would not hold up against the OHSA and must stop immediately
 
This answer doesn’t need much justification since it is based on the OHSA. But D & A were included for a reason – company policy is not always correct, and company culture does not supersede any laws.
 
Week 8 Update
 
You are an HR Professional for a small not-for-profit (NFP) company. You have hired a co-op student to help you with some assignments. Most recently, you asked her to go through some resumes for a job posting you had up.
 
She returns them and has attached a sheet to her ‘top 5 candidates’ that includes their Facebook picture (for those she could find), some reviews from previous employers on LinkedIN, and the last 5 tweets from Twitter (for those she could find). You know that online social networks (OSNs) are a growing part of the business landscape, but are not sure how to proceed in regards to recruitment.
 
What do you do?
 
a)     Thank the student for going above and beyond. This supplementary information will definitely help you in making your decision after the interviews.
b)     Only compare the candidates based on their resumes, interviews, and the OSNs they have in common
c)      Thank the student for this additional research, but inform her that unless an applicant discloses this additional info that it should not be used in the decision-making process
d)     Thank the student for this additional research, advise candidates in the interview that you have this additional information and will only consider it in a ‘tie-breaking’ scenario if there are 2 top candidates
 
I look forward to seeing your answers on the discussion board on our Facebook group: Canadian HR Press – Guides & Resources
 
If you have any questions in the meantime let me know at nppa@canadianhrpress.ca,
 
Ian
Subject: 2010 NPPA - Spring 7  Posted by NPPA: 3/29/2010
So 5 weeks away eh? Hard to believe it’s so close, I’m sure!
 
I remember when I was writing the NPPA - I had sense of confidence, felt like I knew the material – but still had that feeling of ‘what if I have just spent the past few months studying and have nothing to show for it when I fail?’
 
That was the question I asked myself, and it motivated me to keep focused on success. My group and I made plans for a dinner and a show after the exam, maybe you should do the same!
 
It’s a lot easier to keep your nose to the grindstone when you know there is something to look forward to after.
 
This week
 
So there was a pretty good response to last week’s question – some of you had even seen the movie Up In The Air with George Clooney which would have helped give some context around the question.
 
HR is still a relatively young profession, and we’re getting movies made about us already – take that accounting!
 
Anyway, this question focused on the Professional Practice knowledge area, which isn’t taught in school (at least not mine).
 
You will, if you haven’t yet, be working with people who have ideas/ processes you don’t agree with and will likely be in a position where you just need to grin and bear it.
 
D – is the answer.
 
It is in the best interest of your long-term career, and working relationships, in this scenario to embrace this new concept with open arms and sincerity.
 
Week 7 Update
 
You are the HR Manager at an Advertising & Promotions firm in Toronto. The environment is pretty lax and a lot of people tease one another in a friendly manner and have a good time, these are some of the reasons you enjoy working there. Most people at the company say, ‘we take our job seriously, but not ourselves’.
 
One day, Shelly (who has been at the company for 6 months) comes into your office visibly upset as someone has left flowers on her desk with a note saying ‘These are for your boyfriend… for putting up with you!’
Through some investigation you learn that it was Craig, an Account Executive who has an excellent performance record and has been with the firm for 7 years.
 
In discussion with Craig he says that, ‘this is the way the company is – if she had done it to me I would have been fine with it, it’s just the culture around here.’
 
What do you do?
 
a)     Craig is right, a company culture supersedes any employment laws
b)     Tell Craig that he needs to keep Shelly out of any future acts
c)      Tell Craig that, despite the company culture, his actions and argument for them would not hold up against the OHSA and must stop immediately
d)     Tell Craig that, despite the company culture, his actions  and argument for them would not hold up against the company policy and must stop immediately
 
I’ll give you a hint for this one - you may want to do a little bit of research in determining your answer.
 
I look forward to seeing your answers on the discussion board on our Facebook group: Canadian HR Press – Guides & Resources
 
Best of luck with your studying,
 
Ian
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