92. Reclaiming Your Professional Confidence

I recently renewed my SPHR certification—60 hours of continuing education that represent more than just staying current. They reflect a deeper commitment to my growth, my clients, and the message I want to share with you today:

You don’t have to start over. But you do need to start moving.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• What it looked like to retake the SPHR exam after a 13-year career break
• Why investing in yourself—certification or not—can build real momentum
• Practical ways to show employers (and yourself) that you're serious about your next chapter

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Staying current builds confidence and credibility
• You don’t need a credential to move forward, but small steps matter
• Professional development is a powerful signal—to yourself and future employers

Free Resource

Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.

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Work with Me

Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume?
Book a 30-minute Resume Review with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews. 

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Schedule a career consultation to see how I can support you. 

Email me directly at christina@hernextchapters.com

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina

Transcript

Podcast Introduction and Purpose

Christina Kohl 0:04

Hi and welcome to Her Next Chapter's podcast . I'm your host , Christina Kohl . I'm a mom of three and soon to be an empty nester . I'm also a certified HR pro who restarted my career after being a stay-at-home mom for over a decade . I created this podcast to connect with moms who have an empty nest on the horizon and are wanting to redefine their identity outside of motherhood , which might include a job search . On this show , we'll have raw conversations about our ever-changing roles as moms . We'll hear from women who restarted their careers and share tips for a job search after a career break . So if that's you , you're in the right place , friend , let's get started .

Christina Kohl 0:49

Hi there and welcome back to Her Next Chapters . I've got a little personal win to share today and a story behind it that I think might speak to you , especially if you're coming back to your career after some time away . So I recently , as in a couple of days ago , recertified my SPHR . That stands for Senior Professional in Human Resources . It's a credential I've held for years , and renewing it got me thinking about what it means to stay current , to invest in yourself and to show up for your next chapter , whatever that looks like . So , whether you're returning to work after a break , rebuilding after a layoff or making a career pivot . This episode is for

SPHR Recertification Personal Win

Christina Kohl 1:30

you .

Christina Kohl 1:30

So completing my SPHR recertification required 60 hours of continuing education over the past three years . I'm keeping Keep this credential active on purpose , even though I'm no longer in a corporate HR role . Why ? Because I still use HR strategy every single day of my work as a career coach . So, So reviewing job postings , screening resumes , leading interviews , coaching hiring managers , negotiating offers . Keeping my SPHR shows that I'm serious about staying sharp , credible and flexible . And you guys , if I ever decide to return to a traditional HR role , I'm ready . And for my clients , it's a signal that I'm not just coaching from theory . I bring current , real world knowledge to every session . So if you are job searching , changing careers or returning to work , one of the best things you can do is show through action that you're serious about this next chapter .

Christina Kohl 2:29

This isn't just about getting more letters after your name . It's about rebuilding your confidence , staying relevant , showing potential employers that you're engaged and growing . This can look like a lot of different ways , so you can renew a professional license , like I did . You can take a LinkedIn learning course . You can attend a virtual summit or a workshop , even reading up on new tools in your field , or joining a local or online professional group . These small steps matter . You don't need a degree or a fancy title .

Christina Kohl 3:09

So I want to go back in time just for a minute , because this isn't the first time I've had to get a recertification

Returning After a 13-Year Break

Christina Kohl 3:16

. Years ago , during my 13-year career break , I let my SPHR expire , so I was home with my kids . I wasn't working in HR anymore and it just didn't seem necessary at the time . But when I got serious about returning to the workforce , when I really wanted to come back with purpose and confidence , I knew I needed to get that certification back . And getting it back meant taking the exam all over again . And let me tell you , that test is no joke . It is known for being one of the hardest HR exams out there , with as much as a 40% fail rate at the time that I took it . And here's the kicker, you can't even sit for the SPHR exam unless you've had at least five years of exempt-level HR experience . This isn't an entry-level thing . It's for seasoned professionals . People have been in the trenches doing strategic HR work for years , and I had been out of HR for 13 years and now I was diving back in , trying to prove to myself that I still belonged , and even though I had my SPHR certification from years before , I still had to prove my eligibility to sit for the exam . So , thankfully , I had kept copies of my performance reviews from throughout my career and also I'd asked for a letter of recommendation from the executive leader when I left a role , which he gladly provided . This is obviously in the days before LinkedIn was even around . Those documents allowed me to demonstrate the five years plus of exemplary HR experience that I had . So just a quick reminder for those of you listening keep your own copy of those important documents , scan them , keep them digital , whatever it is , email them to yourself . Make sure you hold onto those documents because you might need them in the future .

Christina Kohl 5:10

And taking this test , it wasn't just an emotional challenge Like am I up to the challenge ? Do I know everything I need to know ? It was a real investment . I'm talking dollars . The cost it was about a thousand dollars between the exam fee and the study materials . The time I spent around 10 to 12 hours per week for three months studying so I can pass this test . This is early mornings , late nights , flashcards , practice exams . I was all in . This is my way of saying to myself I'm serious about this comeback and I wanted employers to see that too . And when I passed , it was more than a piece of paper . It was proof to me that I wasn't starting over . It was more than a piece of paper . It was proof to me that I wasn't starting over . I was bringing everything I had learned before , during and after my break into this next chapter .

Christina Kohl 6:02

So I want to talk to you , listening , because , odds are , you're probably not in HR , but yet you're nodding along . Maybe you're wondering how to return to your field after years away , or maybe you're pivoting , stepping into something new , or just trying to feel like yourself again professionally

Investing in Your Professional Growth

Christina Kohl 6:19

. Well , here's what I want you to know . You don't have to take a certification test to prove your worth , but sometimes investing in your growth can be the thing that reminds you of what you're capable of . And maybe you're a teacher thinking about renewing your license , or a project manager eyeing the PMP , or are you a CPA who let their license go , or maybe you're a creative who's brushing up on design tools . Whatever your field , ask yourself what would help you feel current and confident again . What's one step you can take this month to move closer to the career that you want . You don't have to go all in tomorrow , but starting somewhere builds momentum . And yes , it might cost something . Yes , it might take time , but that time and money it's not wasted , it's an investment in you . And if this story has you thinking , I want to feel like that , I want to believe in myself again . I want you to know I've got something coming up that might be just the right next step .

Christina Kohl 7:28

This September I'm running my group coaching program . It is for mid-career women who are returning to work pivoting industries or just finally ready to land a role that feels right . We cover everything from clarity and confidence to resume updates , linkedin , interview prep and networking and salary negotiation . It's a

Group Coaching Program Announcement

Christina Kohl 7:48

full strategy built on real world tools and designed for women who are ready to take action . The wait list is open . There's no commitment now , just you raising your hand . Let me know you're interested . You can check the link in the show notes or just send me a direct message on LinkedIn . Or , better yet , send me an email , christina@ her next chapters . com , and I'll send you all the details . And if you want more job search support in the meantime , I've put together a free guide with links to my best podcast episodes on resumes , interviewing , networking and career comebacks . You can grab it by signing up through the link in the show notes or message me and I'll send it your way .

Christina Kohl 8:26

All right , just a reminder . You don't need a certification to be qualified . You don't need a fancy title to be worthy , but if a credential , a course or a challenge helps you reconnect to your professional identity , go for it . So you've invested in everyone else for years . Maybe it's time to invest in you , and you know what, employers are going to see that as a very strong signal to your commitment to your profession and your seriousness about getting the next job . And you know what that commitment showing up for yourself in that It getting those credentials , getting that training , getting current is going to show any potential employer your seriousness and your level of commitment to your career . Again , it speaks volumes and it's going to be something to help you land that next job .

Christina Kohl 9:17

All right , thanks for being here today , friends , and if this story hit home , I would love to hear from you what is one thing you've done or you want to do to build back your confidence . Well , that's it for this week's episode .

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Christina Kohl 9:30

Friends , I will talk to you next time . Thank you so much for listening today . I hope this episode hit home for you and , if you haven't already , be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn and say hello so I can personally thank you for listening . Until next time , remember , your story is uniquely your own and your next chapters are ready to begin .