Self-test: Is the "HR Manager Human Resources with Federal Diploma" course the right one for me?
Test here whether a job as an expert in Human Resources Management (HRM) with a federal diploma suits you and whether a preparatory course for the federal PET examination "HR Manager" is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of an HR Manager with a federal diploma look like?
HR managers with a federal diploma work in the middle to upper management levels of a wide range of companies. There they are responsible for HR policy, which they define and strategically plan personnel development based on this. They can also be found in public administrations. They have a high degree of entrepreneurial thinking and action and are able to quickly grasp economic relationships and recognize the impact of the latest trends on HR policy.
HR managers are responsible for the management of HR department employees as well as for their targeted training and development and for supporting line managers. HR managers help to shape and support the necessary change processes in the company. They are just as familiar with social policy and social insurance as they are with labor law issues and company pension benefits.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as an HR manager?
Great!
If you don't like all the jobs, think about which ones interest you the most. Also take a look at relevant job advertisements. You may find that there are only jobs that you are more suited to, in which case you are in the right place with this training.
Have a look in related areas to see if you can find something suitable for you. For example:
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities. You will find a large selection on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Target group and skills: Who is the Higher Professional Examination for Head of Human Resources with a Federal Diploma suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The course and the higher professional examination for "HR Manager with Federal Diploma" and "HR Manager with Federal Diploma" are suitable for
- Managers with responsibility for human resources who wish to demonstrate their knowledge and skills with an appropriate diploma.
- HR professionals who want to advance their career with a federal diploma and set themselves apart from the competition.
Head of Human Resources should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Load capacity
- Expressiveness
- Communication skills
- Fluency in oral and written expression
- Operational readiness
- Leadership and social skills
- Empathy
- Ability to work in a team
- Assertiveness
- Negotiating skills
- Sense of responsibility
- Ability to deal with conflict
- Entrepreneurial mindset
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great!
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot apply for the federal diploma directly. In this case, take a look atfollowing page. You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will not be happy in this demanding management role. Look out for further training opportunities that offer a professional specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the higher professional examination for HR managers:
Persons who fulfill the following conditions by the time of the examination date or examination registration are admitted to the Advanced Professional Examination for Head of Human Resources:
- Federal certificate as an HR specialist or another federal certificate (BP) with HR-related job descriptions and at least six years of professional experience, of which either two years as qualified HR practice* or four years working in HR projects or HR consulting functions for complex tasks.
Or
- Degree from a university, university of applied sciences, university of applied sciences, federal PET examination (HFP) and at least four years of professional experience, of which either two years as qualified HR practice or four years working in HR projects or HR consulting functions for complex tasks.
Or
- Degree at tertiary level and at least six years of management experience, including two years of management at two hierarchical levels.
You will find out whether you have been admitted to the higher professional examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons in the event of a negative decision.
*The term "qualified HR practice" refers to the following: comprehensive HR generalist function with overall HR responsibility in a medium-sized company or complex sub-area responsibility in a larger company.
Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the Higher Professional Examination for HR Managers if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration. At some schools, it is also possible to attend the course without the intention of taking an examination. Admission requirements vary depending on the provider.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for Head of Human Resources, clarify your chances directly with the body responsible for the examination regulations, the Association of Human Resources Managers.Human Resources Swiss Exams (HRSE).
- If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the field of human resources, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the higher professional examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
- SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the HFP.Hereyou will find more information.
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as professional experience for Head of Human Resources, clarify your chances directly with the body responsible for the examination regulations, the Association of Human Resources Managers.Human Resources Swiss Exams (HRSE).
- If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the field of human resources, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the higher professional examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
- SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the HFP.Hereyou will find more information.
Subject matter and content of the training
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the Higher Professional Examination for HR Managers is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, the HRSE (Human Resources Swiss Exams).
The following topics are covered in the preparation courses:
- Helping to shape strategy work / cultural work(e.g. helping to shape normative principles and setting an example, deriving HR topics from the corporate strategy, actively helping to shape strategy processes in management, defining HR policy, etc.).
- Helping to shape implementation and change processes in the strategy(e.g. analyzing, initiating and supporting change projects, maintaining a regular exchange with management, conducting, evaluating and implementing employee surveys, etc.)
- Development and implementation of HR concepts(including presenting HR concepts convincingly and bringing about decisions, supporting the implementation of HR concepts and measuring the contribution to the company's success, etc.)
- Management of HR / HR areas / HR department(e.g. planning personnel deployment and procuring personnel, managing employees, formulating target agreements and ensuring the qualification and development of HR employees, organizing team communication, drawing up and monitoring the HR budget, etc.).
- Design of stakeholder group management(including exchanging information and maintaining contacts with relevant federal, cantonal or business bodies on relevant topics, building and maintaining an HR network, managing conflict and crisis situations)
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of this federal diploma, take a look at other training and further education courses in the HR sector. You may find a course that suits you better. You will find inspirationhere.
Obviously the typical subject areas of HR managers with a federal diploma are not your thing. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs vary depending on the provider (apart from the examination fee, which is set by the HFP sponsor). In general, the following costs are to be expected for the 2-3 semester part-time HR Manager training course:
- Course feesbetween CHF 13,000 and CHF 16,600, of which you will receive around 50% back from the federal government after the examination (regardless of the result)*.
- External examination feesCHF 2,000 (as at April 2023) The examination fee is set by the sponsor of this course or HFP. It is paid by the candidate after admission has been confirmed.
- Extra costsSome schools do not include the costs for teaching materials, training documents and simulation exams in the course fees.
Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance around CHF 15,000 - CHF 18,600 for the course and exam?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance. Some schools also offer a discount for early booking.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an education loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the Advanced Federal Diploma Examination with the federal contribution.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an education loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the Advanced Federal Diploma Examination with the federal contribution.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort
- The HR Manager training course is modular and lasts 2-3 semesters, depending on the provider.
- The course is offered at different times. These time variants are determined independently by the respective schools, so there may be differences. There are often day courses and evening courses, which are offered weekly on an afternoon or Saturday as well as in the evening.
- Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine further education with your family, career and free time in the best possible way.
- Thanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A good study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you don't have that much time, get in touch with the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than three semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
The higher professional examination for Head of Human Resources is held annually if at least 40 candidates meet the admission requirements after the announcement, otherwise at least every two years. Candidates can take the examination in German, French or Italian.
Candidates are notified at least 3 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (location, time of the examination, permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The higher professional examination consists of three parts:
1) Shaping strategy and cultural work (case study, written, 120 minutes)
In this part of the examination, candidates are presented with a holistic, complex and innovative strategic case from the environment of a medium-sized company. Candidates work on the case using the steps "Situation analysis", "Central question", "Formulation of objectives" and "Consideration of next steps".
2) Acting in the role
2.1) Critical incidents, oral, 30 minutes
The term "critical incidents" refers to challenging and complex real-life situations in which the intervention of measures is crucial in order to deal with the situation successfully. The candidates are presented with three such situations. They must describe the procedure for the critical incidents and justify the measures taken.
2.2) Role play, oral, 30 minutes (incl. preparation and reflection)
The candidates carry out a role play based on a given written description of the situation. An examination expert takes on the role of the employee. The role play is followed by a reflection discussion in which the candidates are questioned by the examination experts about the discussion (e.g. self-assessment of the discussion, justification of statements, etc.).
3) Design and implement HR concepts
3.1) Case study concept, written 180 minutes (incl. 60 minutes preparation and presentation)
In this part of the examination, candidates draw up an HR concept for the initial situation, including possible variants, budget and procedural planning.
3.2) Presentation, oral, 15 minutes
This simulates a management meeting in which the candidates present their concept to the management.
3.3) Technical discussion, oral, 30 minutes
Subsequently, the HR concept presented is discussed from different perspectives and variants are developed (e.g. finance, sales, marketing).
Diploma and title
Successful graduates of the higher professional examination receive a federal diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Head of Human Resources with a federal diploma".
In French: "Directrice des ressources humaines avec diplôme fédéral / Directeur des ressources humaines avec diplôme fédéral"
In Italian: "Direttrice delle risorse umane con diploma federale / Direttore delle risorse umane con diploma federale"
In English (This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title): "Human Resource Manager, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education"
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the Advanced Federal Diploma Examination?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice or the sponsor of the higher professional examination, theHuman Resources Swiss Exams (HRSE). Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are not at all confident that you can pass the final examination but would like to complete the course, it is best to arrange a personal consultation with a school or the body responsible for the higher professional examination, theHuman Resources Swiss Exams (HRSE). Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, the course leading to the Federal Diploma in HR Management (HFP) does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other opportunities for further training. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Head of HR / HR Head of Training, Continuing Education is probably not the right training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: the job of HR manager does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The Head of HR / HR Head of Training, Continuing Education is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools: