SHRM-CP Practice Questions

Cameron is a recent graduate who has begun a job as a human resource assistant for an online retail company. This is Cameron's first job in Human Resources and he joined this particular company for its advancement opportunities and career development. Cameron is learning the ropes of how an HR department functions, what social or organizational norms are like, and how to generally fit into the industry. What level of career development is Cameron currently experiencing?

A. Early career establishment B. Organizational entry C. Late career D. Midcareer Correct answer: Early career establishment Early career establishment is the stage of a career development program where an employee learns a new skill or job, organizational standards, and rules for fitting into the company or job.

According to SHRM, which behavioral competency includes personal and professional integrity and acting as an ethical agent?

A. Ethical values practice B. Integral practice C. Ethical practice D. Privacy practice Correct answer: Ethical practice Ethical practice is part of SHRM's behavioral competencies, which include personal integrity, professional integrity, and acting as an ethical agent.

You are a newly hired HR manager and oversee a distribution center with 120 employees and two HR representatives. You would like to perform an HR audit since the site was newly acquired. You are tasked with assembling an HR compliance team to review the site's HR functions, compliance, and overall performance. Who would be a good representative for your team?

A. A headquarters HR representative B. The distribution center manager C. Hiring managers and recruiters D. A select group of employees working at the distribution center Correct answer: A headquarters HR representative A headquarters or corporate HR representative would be the best choice to select for a compliance and HR audit. Members of a compliance audit team should include people with relevant knowledge of HR practices, including HR representatives, in-house legal counsel, and compliance officers.

According to the Blake-Mouton behavioral theory, what is the best characteristic to describe a leader that adopts a "country club style"?

A. A low concern for people and a low concern for production B. A high concern for people and a high concern for production C. A low concern for people and a high concern for production D. A high concern for people and a low concern for production Correct answer: A high concern for people and a low concern for production The Country Club Style has a high concern for people and a low concern for production. Managers that use this style pay attention to the security and comfort of employees in the hope that this will increase performance.

Which strategy best facilitates internal transfers and maximizes flexibility when assigning pay levels?

A. Adjusting pay based on comparable worth of jobs B. Minimizing overlap between pay grades C. Implementing a broadband pay system D. Adopting a seniority-based pay system The correct answer is "C: Implementing a broadband pay system." The large pay ranges in a broadband system facilitate internal transfers because this strategy greatly increases the probability that one's current job and alternate position are in the same large pay range. It also gives organizations maximum flexibility in assigning pay levels to jobs.Adjusting pay based on comparable worth of jobs is usually an attempt to remedy pay inequality across gender and racial lines. Minimizing overlap between pay grades often creates a need for larger pay increases for internal promotions. This can also discourage an employee from transferring to a new position by increasing the likelihood that the employee must take a pay cut for the new position. A seniority-based pay system rewards employees based on length of employment, which makes it more complex to assign pay levels to jobs and does not promote internal transfers.

Which activity best exemplifies job enrichment?

A. An IT employee researches how to resolve a software problem. B. A marketing employee spends extra time developing new branding ideas. C. A billing department employee is given the added responsibility of calculating payroll. D. A sales employee is selected by a supervisor to mentor junior employees. The correct answer is "D: A sales employee is selected by a supervisor to mentor junior employees." Selecting a sales employee to mentor junior employees is an example of job enrichment because it gives the employee the opportunity to learn new skills that will provide a deeper purpose or meaning in the job. It is a "vertical" expansion of a job.An IT employee who researches how to resolve a software problem is an example of job enhancement, or when new skills are added to an existing base of knowledge. The employee already possesses computer skills, and those skills are now enhanced by adding the knowledge of another platform. The marketing employee who spends extra time developing new branding ideas is an example of job crafting, which is when an employee takes proactive steps to redesign daily tasks and duties. The employee who receives extra responsibilities in the billing department is an example of job enlargement because the employee takes on extra tasks and responsibilities that are lateral to the employee's currently assigned responsibilities.

The second step in the creative problem-solving process involves generating a list of possible solutions. This can be accomplished by:

A. Brainstorming with your group to get as many solutions listed as possible B. Identifying the problem as a team C. Coordinating implementation of the solution across the company D. Creating a list of criteria for acceptable solutions Correct answer: Brainstorming with your group to get as many solutions listed as possible Generating a list of possible solutions can be accomplished by brainstorming with a group of people to get as many solutions listed as possible. At this step, you do not evaluate the solutions but are simply generating a list of ideas. The third step in the process is to evaluate and create a list of acceptable solutions.

Several raters evaluate job descriptions and arrange them according to their value to the company. Which job evaluation method are the raters using?

A. Classification B. Ranking C. Point factor D. Market-pricing The correct answer is "B: Ranking" Ranking is a qualitative job evaluation method that places jobs in a hierarchy of their value to the company.Point factor is a quantitative method that breaks down jobs into compensable factors identified during a job analysis. Points are assigned to the factors, and a pay structure is established for the position. Classification is a qualitative technique in which an evaluator writes descriptions of each class of jobs and puts them into the grade that best matches the class description. Market-pricing emphasizes external competitiveness, and it typically involves using third-party compensation survey data to determine the external value of jobs.

Which selection tool should be used to fill a vacancy that requires managing multiple priorities and working under pressure?

A. Cognitive ability test B. Background check C. Behavioral assessment D. Academic transcript The correct answer is "C: Behavioral assessment." Behavioral assessments provide a systematic evaluation of candidate personality profiles used to gauge the viability of a candidate based on things like work style and potential, which are useful when trying to gauge whether a candidate can manage multiple priorities and work under pressure. This is based on the assumption that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Cognitive ability tests measure intelligence, verbal ability, math skills, spatial perception, or inductive and deductive reasoning. Background checks are used to verify prior employment, education, criminal background information, and/or other pertinent data to ensure candidates are being honest about their experience and credentials. Academic transcripts outline academic performance, which does not necessarily align with workplace performance.

A VP of talent development requests a two-day communication skills training for the team. The VP and the trainer meet for a planning session. The VP explains the department is working on several key projects and it needs to improve its effective communication to be successful. During the training session, the trainer observes an apparent lack of trust and openness among team members, which causes some team members to withdraw from the training activities. The VP receives feedback from managers that indicates the session did not go well, so the VP requests a meeting with the trainer. Which action should the trainer take to improve group dynamics?

A. Conduct a team performance appraisal. B. Provide coaching to high-performing team members. C. Assess levels of trust among team members. D. Schedule an offsite team-building activity. The correct answer is "C: Assess levels of trust among team members." Panels of SHRM-certified subject matter experts rate the effectiveness of each SJI response option, and the "best" answer is derived by statistical analysis of those expert opinions.

Mark would like to hire an outdoor apparel marketing manager for his successful start-up and asks you for assistance. Mark tells you to look for candidates with not only marketing experience, but to find someone who enjoys the outdoors. He mentions that he would be surprised if any women would be interested in applying. This is an example of which type of interview bias?

A. Confirmation B. Stereotyping C. Cultural D. Racism Correct answer: Stereotyping Stereotyping occurs when someone makes a generalization about a particular demographic, including gender, race, and religion. In this case, Mark is generalizing that women do not enjoy the outdoors or the work required for the job.

When developing an emergency disaster plan, which activity occurs during a vulnerability analysis?

A. Determining the likelihood of potential hazards and their effects on the business B. Identifying key products, services, and operations and evaluating their reinforcements C. Assessing available internal and external resources and establishing emergency contacts D. Working with an insurance carrier to analyze exclusions and areas of exposure The correct answer is "A: Determining the likelihood of potential hazards and their effects on the business." To conduct a vulnerability analysis, a company must examine the hazards within the company and the community in which the business is located and consider crises that have occurred in the past or which may result from the geographic location of the business or from technological or human error. Business should then determine the likelihood of facing those hazards and the severity of the consequences they would have on the business. The other response options are appropriate risk management activities to execute but do not specifically support a vulnerability analysis.

Which action best fosters high ethical standards in an organization?

A. Establishing an anonymous reporting hotline B. Adopting a corporate social responsibility policy C. Providing manager training on codes of conduct D. Distributing the employee handbook annually The correct answer is "C: Providing manager training on codes of conduct." Training managers on codes of conduct helps managers understand and promote ethical behavior and therefore foster high ethical standards.Establishing an anonymous reporting hotline does not help employees understand the company's ethical standards, so they are not necessarily able to effectively use the hotline. Corporate social responsibility policies generally focus on a company's external commitment to operate ethically and contribute to economic development. Distributing the employee handbook annually does not guarantee that employees read or understand the contents of it.

Mary is investigating a timecard fraud case involving multiple employees at a single manufacturing site. While working with the site manager, he believes you should lawfully inform the suspects of the investigation. What law governs whether you must inform employees they are part of an investigation for this type of misconduct?

A. FACT B. FCRA C. ACT D. CCPA Correct answer: FACT If the inquiry involves suspected misconduct, a breach of law or regulation, or a violation of prior written procedures, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT) of 2003 relieves employers of responsibility to disclose and receive employee permission regarding investigations.

Making your product or service stand out and be more appealing than your competition is what differentiation is all about. What is an example of competition in the field of human resources?

A. HR professionals as part of the same SHRM chapter B. HR professionals within your same company C. HR managers in other companies in different industries D. HR managers in other companies in similar industries Correct answer: HR managers in other companies in similar industries An example of competition within the HR world typically involves those HR managers or professionals in similar industries competing for the same employees and/or customers.

Three product leads from the research and development division of a software company meet with an HR manager to discuss the performance problems of a project manager. Each product lead reports encountering similar issues with the project manager. The biggest problem is the project manager consistently promises products will be completed by a specific date and fails to deliver. During the discussion, the three product leads complain about losing customers as a result of the project manager's behaviors. The project manager says managing multiple large projects is too difficult. Which strategy should the HR manager use to best address this issue?

A. Hire a project coordinator to handle administrative project tasks. B. Assign the project manager with a mentor to provide advice and assistance. C. Help the project manager break large tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. D. Ask the project manager's supervisor to temporarily delegate projects to other employees. The correct answer is "C: Help the project manager break large tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces." Panels of SHRM-certified subject matter experts rate the effectiveness of each SJI response option, and the "best" answer is derived by statistical analysis of those expert opinions.

Designing a future-focused organization requires HR to use a strategic approach. What phase of strategic planning addresses the creation of objectives that produce positive results?

A. Implementation B. Development C. Formulation D. Evaluation Correct answer: Implementation In the implementation stage, HR has already gathered data and reviewed the competitive nature of the industry. The implementation phase is when the strategy is created to align with corporate goals to produce a positive future organization. Other phases include formulation (data gathering), development (competitive analysis), and evaluation (measuring the outcomes).

The term "collective bargaining agreement" or CBA, is often a term used in the private sector referring to written contracts between an employer and a union. What term is used for the same thing, but in the public sector?

A. Memorandum of Bargaining (MAB) B. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) C. Memorandum of Responsibilities (MOR) D. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Correct answer: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, is usually the term used in the public sector for written contracts between an employer and a union.

What are the requirements of an H1-B employment visa for foreign nationals?

A. Must be for managers and executives with specialized knowledge B. Must be for a job so complex that it can be done only by a person with a certain degree C. Must be for temporary agricultural workers D. Must be for a job that doesn't require a bachelor's degree or above Correct answer: Must be for a job so complex that it can be done only by a person with a certain degree An H1-B visa requires a bachelor's or higher degree or its equivalent and for a job so complex that it can be done only by a person with a certain degree. Fashion models also fall into this type of visa.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) brought strict oversight to corporate governance and financial reporting for:

A. Non-profit organizations only B. Publicly-held companies, with some requirements, also applying to privately-held companies C. Publicly-held companies only D. Privately-held companies only Correct answer B: Publicly-held companies, with some requirements, also applying to privately-held companies. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) brought strict oversight to corporate governance and financial reporting for publicly-held companies and holds corporate officers accountable for proper recordkeeping and reporting of financial information. While SOX does not specifically cover privately held companies, certain provisions about securities fraud and related criminal activities apply to any "person," whether the person works for a privately- or publicly-held company. Private companies that may look to be acquired by a public company in the future or may wish to go public on their own must comply with SOX best practices.

A multi-step or progressive disciplinary process typically follows which pattern?

A. Oral warning, suspension, and termination B. Written warning, oral warning, and termination C. Verbal warning, suspension, written warning, and termination D. Oral warning, written warning, suspension, and termination Correct answer: Oral warning, written warning, suspension, and termination The typical process for a multi-step or progressive disciplinary process includes an oral or verbal warning, a written warning, suspension, and termination.

Three product leads from the research and development division of a software company meet with an HR manager to discuss the performance problems of a project manager. Each product lead reports encountering similar issues with the project manager. The biggest problem is the project manager consistently promises products will be completed by a specific date and fails to deliver. During the discussion, the three product leads complain about losing customers as a result of the project manager's behaviors.Six months after the initial consultation with the HR manager, the division director asks for an update on the project manager's progress. Which is the best way for the HR manager to show this data?

A. Prepare a detailed performance summary for each project over the past six months. B. Schedule a meeting so the product leads can share data about customer retention with the division director. C. Focus on the project manager's progress toward time and budget metrics over the last six months. D. Submit a report with detailed notes from the project manager's performance meetings. The correct answer is "A: Prepare a detailed performance summary for each project over the past six months." Panels of SHRM-certified subject matter experts rate the effectiveness of each SJI response option, and the "best" answer is derived by statistical analysis of those expert opinions.

What is a critical component of executive coaching that an HR professional should provide?

A. Provide HR metrics to the executives to consider for presentation at an employee meeting B. Help executives adjust their personal approach to managing employees C. Support the executives to meet the company's strategic goals rather than HR-specific ones D. Help executives understand the cost of site visits and their importance Correct answer: Help executives adjust their personal approach to managing employees Executive coaching is effective in teaching line executives how to evaluate problems with HR implications. However, it is also important to ensure that executives adjust their personal approach to managing employees. Sometimes, executives don't see how their behavior is adversely affecting the workforce.

A VP of talent development requests a two-day communication skills training for the team. The VP and the trainer meet for a planning session. The VP explains the department is working on several key projects and it needs to improve its effective communication to be successful. During the training session, the trainer observes an apparent lack of trust and openness among team members, which causes some team members to withdraw from the training activities. The VP receives feedback from managers that indicates the session did not go well, so the VP requests a meeting with the trainer. After the training session is complete, which step should the trainer take?

A. Review the training evaluations for the session. B. Debrief the VP on observations during training. C. Meet with the team's supervisor to disclose findings. D. Calculate the return on investment for the session. The correct answer is "A: Review the training evaluations." Situational judgment items require the examinee to think about what is occurring in the scenario and decide which response option identifies the most effective course of action. Other response options may be something you could do to respond to the situation, but SJIs require thinking and action based on the best of the available options.Do not base your answer on your organization's approach to handling the situation, but rather, answer based on what you know should be done according to best practice. Panels of SHRM-certified subject matter experts rate the effectiveness of each response option, and the "best" answer is derived by statistical analysis of those expert opinions.

What is a special type of software that facilitates interaction by remote employees?

A. Spyware B. Groupware C. Hardware D. Courseware Correct answer: Groupware Groupware is a specialized software app that supports collaboration and interaction by remote employees. In an increasingly global business environment, groupware helps to create spaces where employees can work together in real-time on tasks. Examples of groupware can include Google Docs, video-conferencing software, and webinar apps. While spyware is important to IT teams, cutting down on the unethical use of company computers, it does not facilitate interaction by remote employees. Courseware is not designed for collaboration but, rather, learning. Hardware is the physical equipment that is in use in the business; the opposite of software.

Which law specifically prohibits an employee's supervisor from making contact with an employee's medical provider?

A. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) B. The Mental Health Parity Act C. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) D. The Health Insurance Portability and Protection Act (HIPPA) Correct answer: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) The Family and Medical Leave Act specifies who may contact an employee's medical advisor for information, written or otherwise, and specifically prohibits the employee's supervisor from making contact with an employee's medical provider.

How does an HR professional serve as an advocate when a discrimination complaint is filed and an investigation suggests that an employee's manager is at fault?

A. The HR professional discusses employment law and options with the employee and explains how to report the conduct to an outside agency B. The HR professional encourages the employee to speak with the CEO to find a solution C. The HR professional takes charge of offering feedback and working on behalf of the employee to find a solution D. The HR professional removes himself from the investigation because he is needed to protect the company Correct answer: The HR professional takes charge of offering feedback and working on behalf of the employee to find a solution This answer serves as the best example of how an HR professional can be an advocate for an employee. The HR professional should take the lead in handling and addressing issues on behalf of the employee, while also balancing the needs of the company.

A newly hired coal miner should be prepared to share detailed information about hazardous incidents with superiors and human resources, under what law?

A. The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) B. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) C. The Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA) D. The National Industrial Labor Relations Act (NRLA) Correct answer: The Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA) MSHA established guidelines for reporting and documenting hazards, including indicators, risks, and conditions that could lead to worker injury or death. Under this law, mine workers must share information in detail with HR. The NRLA gives workers the right to organize and form unions to protect them from wage and hour issues. LMRDA lays out rules for union problems and member protection. PRWORA applies to workers who pay child support or are returning to work after receiving public assistance.

Tim works for a nearby hospital's human resources department and was alerted to the possibility that a nurse had been pricked by a discarded needle. What OSHA regulation governs Tim's actions in the event of a "sharps" incident? A The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act B The Healthcare Workers Sharps Prevention Act C The Needle and Sharps Prevention Act D The Sharps Acts

A. The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act B. The Healthcare Workers Sharps Prevention Act C. The Needle and Sharps Prevention Act D. The Sharps Acts Correct answer: The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act makes changes to OSHA for medical professionals. Needles, piercing devices, knives, scalpels, and tools are all examples of sharps. Sharp injuries must be documented on the OSHA 300 log with the phrase "privacy case" rather than the employee's name.

During a presentation to senior executives, you show data that companies in the top 25% for racial and ethnic diversity are over 30% more likely to outperform their respective national industry medians in terms of financial returns. With this data, you recommend that the company focus its recruiting efforts on hiring a more diverse population. Your ability to discuss this information is an indicator of which competency?

A. Working effectively with diverse cultures and populations B. Demonstrating respect for the perspective of others C. Fostering the organization's cultural norms D. Proving the ROI of a diverse workforce Correct answer: Proving the ROI of a diverse workforce This example shows a level of competency in proving the ROI of a diverse workforce. This competency is part of SHRM's competency model, which includes global and cultural effectiveness.