CPS Exam

[countrigal]

Oh, I forgot....  Someone brought up the HR topics/laws that Business Law would help with.  I'm not saying that it isn't what you learn via the CPS exam but I know in my college level Business Law class, that was not covered items.  The primary topic covered in that class was contracts which I found interesting and mildly helpful in my personal life, but not really helpful for my position.

[execsec]

I recently changed jobs (about 4 mos ago) and the reason why I got the job was because they advertised for someone with a college degree and/OR professional certification.  I got the salary I asked for and made the change.



I think the MOUS would also be great certification.  It would show that you have added "value" over someone who was not certified.

[winkiebear]

While I agree that the MOUS certification would definitely be a boost, I wonder if it would be a better certification, as it is something an Admin uses every day.  Let's face it, you can't get into the Admin world if you can't use a computer.  



I don't see the relevance for the other topics on the CPS exam.  Has anyone gotten use out of their CPS knowledge other than a job/promotion/raise?

[energizer]

Winkie,



I'm not trying to be difficult -- but what exactly are you looking for since you say "besides" job/promotion/raise?  Sounds to me as though any or all of those three things make it worthwhile to get the CPS designation.  I'm afraid you've lost me on this one.  Can you be more specific in what you are seeking?  Maybe then I can be more specific in my response.  



This sure is getting to be an interesting thread!  Where are we going with it?



Energizer

[execsec]

Wow, this is interesting!  A long, long time ago, from what I understand (and this is why I didn't take the CPS exam back in 1979) part of the exam covered typing and shorthand! I took shorthand in college, used it for one year, and never used it again.  I was scared, what if I couldn't remember some of my brief forms, what if I couldn't read my OWN SHORTHAND!!!  I had also heard that you had to bring your own typewriter to the test.  I didn't have a typewriter and where was I going to get one?  I held off taking the test until 1990.  By then they had dropped the shorthand and typing part of the test.  But the recertify thing had come into place. For those of you who don't know, anyone taking the CPS test after 1988 has to recertify, all those before were grandfathered in and don't have to recertify but probably should anyway.



Plus I was told by someone along the way that if you have your CPS designation you should REFUSE to take a typing test at job interviews.  The CPS designation means you have gone way beyond that part of the job and it's understood that you have those skills covered quite well.  I mean, they don't ask an engineer in an interview to pull out his slide rule do they?  Do they ask a CPA to get out their calculator and add numbers?  Heck no......



But back to the original question, the CPS/CAP test has evolved over the years just like our job descriptions have.  Some of us no longer have to type as much as we used to (on manuals with carbon paper no less) and are doing more administrative work (sitting in meetings instead of and for our bosses) etc.



 

[winkiebear]

Energizer, I'm looking for a 'for instance' ... such as, 'for instance, I actually used the knowledge I recieved from the test this one time .... '  (that's what I meant when I said instead of job/promotion/raise)



Execsec, you are right on the money, lady!  Why would someone with certification be required to take the basic tests?!

[energizer]

Winkie,



Oh...NOW I see!  That does make a difference in the type of response you get.  Thanks.



I could actually give you a couple of "for instances,"  but I'll stick to one that was actually fairly recent.  (It also has the potential to happen again several times over the course of the next 2 years):



In the Business Law section of the exam, you are expected to be able to understand contract language (Other than studying for the CPS exam, I never had a course in Business Law).  One of my job responsibilities is to process end-of-lease paperwork on equipment leases that my boss signs.  He gives the paperwork to me when it comes in from the leasing company, and I have to read through it and make sure it agrees with the original lease agreement.  I found a discrepancy in the final paperwork that would have cost us approximately $3,500 more in end-of-lease charges.  Without the Business Law info I learned, I would not have known which parts of the "fine print"  in the final paperwork would not "stand up in court."  In this case, they tried to bill us for additional rental because the equipment was not picked up before the expiration date of the lease, which according to the "fine print" they could do even if the date was missed by their people!  I told my boss he should insist that since we notified them in writing (as required) 90 days before the expiration date, and their shipping department didn't contact us to schedule pickup of the equipment (which they were required to do) until the week before the expiration date, the delay was their fault and we would not pay any additional rental charges.



So, Winkie, does this help... or would you like some additional "for instance's?"



Best regards,



Your buddy... Energizer  

[winkiebear]

Ding, ding, ding .... Yes, Energizer, that's what I'm looking for.



However, I'd like more input ... gimme more more more!

[tnvolgalcps]

I took the CPS exam in 1992, passing all 6 parts on the first try, recertified in 1997, working on my second recertification, and planning to take the CAP in November. I also have a college degree. So, what am I getting at? Continuing education, life-long learning, keeping up with the trends of the industry, and our profession.



I took the exam shortly after I finished my college degree and only studied those parts that I was not comfortable with...Business Law, Accounting, Economics. After passing the exam, I continued taking classes, attending seminars and workshops, etc., to go toward my recertification.



I guess it is a personal thing...do you want this certification or can you do without it? In my present job, I am the only CPS in the office. Prior to this, I worked in a university setting where 50% of the administrative staff had the CPS certification.



Did I mention that I live in Tennessee and that State of Tennessee employees (including higher education) with clerical designation receive an automatic, legislative-mandated, 9% salary increase upon passing the exam?  

[execsec]

Winkiebear, I can give you another example too...  Two years after I passed my CPS exam I left my job of 10 years (they were scaling down) and I opened my own secretarial business, Secretarial Outsourcing Services (SOS when you need help).  This was before Virtual Assisting was popular.  I would not have had the self-confidence nor the knowledge (albeit with some help from hubby) to write my own business plan and take it to the bank for a small business loan to purchase equipment that I needed for my business. I'm sure the loan committee had to have taken my CPS into consideration.  Having my CPS set me apart from other do-it-yourselfers in the phone book.  I had my business for 2 years before my family moved to another City.  I decided not to start up the business there.  Having the CPS/CAP certification has only been positive for me.

[bethalize]

Execsex, perhaps you might be able to help with TLC's post in the VA forum as you have started a business yourself. You must have lots of relative experience and helpful advice.

[mlm668]

Ok, now I have a question?  I understand the need for recertification. Its makes sense to since other professionals such as lawyers and accountants are required to complete continuing education requirements yearly to stay licensed in here in Virginia.  How often is a CPS/CAP required to re-certify and what is involved?



By the way, does anyone have a suggestion of where I could find a refresher course in shorthand?  Or even where I could purchase an old textbook to refresh my memory of the characters.  I took it for two years in in high school and business school many moons ago and haven't used it since.  It would really come in handy now since I have a boss who like to dictate letters to me personally and especially in my college classes.

 

[msgladiator]

I'm back.  Hey, winkiebear, I'm going to throw this one back at you -- if you were putting together the CPS examination what would areas of study would you include in the exam?  



I guess we have different ways of thinking, that's all, and thought that through your work experience and your involvement in this site that is dedicated to admins that you would see the relevance of the topics included in the exam.  I see all the areas of the CPS exam as being relevant.  Having gone from the admin ranks to mgmt, it has definitely helped me.  How can the topics of management, business law, economics, office systems, event management, accounting be irrelevant to the secretarial/administrative profession?  

[andrea843]

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Andrea

Site Administrator

[energizer]

Andrea,



Thanks for your input.  I'm not sure MsGladiator really intended to belittle those Admins who don't find relevance as much as she was trying to convince them to keep an open mind.  But maybe I'm being too generous.  Either way, your comments were right on the mark as far as keeping this thread going in the right direction.



As I said above, the things I learned while preparing for the CPS exam have served me well throughout my Admin career.  Studying for the exam gave me a more complete knowledge base in that when I come up against a particular situation, more often than not something jogs in my memory and I at least know that an answer is available.  Of course, sometimes I have to really think about it to remember where that answer can be found, (alzheimer's can strike at any time!!   ) but it really is helpful to know that the information is out there within my reach.  



Thanks again for your leadership.  You are appreciated.