Formula for figuring out how many HR pros it takes to screw in a lightbulb. Flickr-halfbyte

HR is governed by laws and regulations much of the time. However, we also have some nifty formulas that help us do our jobs on a daily basis. Below you will find some interesting resources that should help you with any questions you have. Make sure you subscribe for free updates so that you never miss a hot news item or funny article.

HR to staff ratio

Employee turnover cost calculator

Hiring, turnover, and absence calculators

A nicely done formula or equation is pleasant to look at.  The ability to take rows and rows of endless numbers and force them into a format that is easy on the eyes is to be respected.  Heck, even a chart can be interesting if you pick the right one (like this).

I have spent a good bit of time in the past week or two developing derivatives of calculus formulae that express HR concepts (geek alert).  My favorite so far involves limits.  The limit formula has boundless possibilities for application, and coming up with new concepts is a tricky, yet interesting, way to spend some time brainstorming.

It’s been quite a few years since I had a calculus class, so anyone that can say this better can feel free to chime in.  Limits basically say that as value x approaches a predetermined point, two dissimilar items become equal.  The example my calculus teacher always used was “As the engineer’s grade approaches zero, an engineering degree becomes a business degree.”  In simpler terms, the lower the engineer’s grade, the more likely he/she is to become a business major (obviously he was an engineering fan ).  Another easy one would be “As your wallet approaches full, dinner becomes a steak.”

The one that’s been bouncing around my head is “As HR approaches awesome, organizations become amazing.”  It’s not quite ready for prime time yet, but at least it’s something. Have a favorite HR formula, ratio, or equation? Share it below!

I love having the opportunity to help people with the HR certification exam. It’s something that allows me to use my knowledge and love of teaching to help others. Definitely a fun way to spend some time!

I don’t know if any of you realize it, but I got started in writing as I chronicled my PHR exam study sessions online.  I wanted to help others with their own self-study process, motivate myself, and give encouragement to those that were feeling lost amid the practice questions, exam requirements, and study resources.  I’m working on putting the articles together into a free eBook (I have put them together into a free eBook already) because I want people to be able to see the process that I went through.

I, like many people, jumped into HR feet-first. I took the PHR in the 12-month window after college, and that meant I didn’t need the pesky 2 years of exempt experience.  Now, while I’m not technically “certified” without the experience, I have passed the exam, so that hopefully says something about my capabilities.  Self-study. All the way. Rockin’.

If you’re working on your own study journey or trying to decide if you should take the HR certification exam plunge, shoot me an email or leave a comment.  I’d love to offer any help I can give.

And if you would like free updates via email (i.e. when another free product comes along), just click here!

This thing still has that new blog smell we all love so much, and I already feel like I need to pull a skeleton from the closet.  My confession may cause a spit take, so put down your cup.

Up until 24 hours ago, I had no idea what I wanted this blog to stand for.  I am a heavy reader on blogging topics, and I know that choosing a niche is one of the most important steps in blogging success, but I wasn’t quite sure what my niche would be.  There are loads of fantastic HR bloggers out there (and almost all of them are much smarter than me).  Therefore, I was unsure of how to properly position this blog to stand out to readers, because I feel like I have some genuinely helpful advice to dispense.  And then it dawned on me.

You see, I also have another love.  Yes, while HR holds a very special place in my heart, I also enjoy giving and receiving career advice.  So I thought to myself, “What if both passions could be combined?  What if this blog could help new HR professionals to make their mark on the world?  What if college students majoring in HR could read this blog and know how to find and excel in the HR position of their dreams?”  (And yes, I do think in complete sentences.)

The thought came to me, because I recalled the difficulties I had in finding my first HR position.  Unlike some other career fields, HR is very tough to break into.  It has the paradoxical “you must have experience for a job, but to get a job you must have experience” problem embedded in its core, and that causes frustration to no end for many people. Hopefully I will be able to leverage my career advice and HR experience into a brilliant combination (or at least a short sputtering of nonsense). 

So, now that I’ve let the proverbial cat out of the bag, I feel much better.  I’ve already put a project into motion that will be invaluable to new and upcoming HR practitioners, and I can’t wait to unveil it.  I have a shining vision of what UpstartHR can eventually be, and I’m excited to see where the path leads.

My first post is going to be a useful one.  I just completed the first UpstartHR free resource-the PHR Study Guide.  Actually, I had written it a while back, but I have updated it somewhat, added some helpful links, and created a portable document that could be passed out freely to others looking to take the PHR exam.  Check it out on the UpstartHR Free Resources page.

Look for more great info on the horizon from UpstartHR.