Similarities between job description and job specification

Job analysis provides an overview of skills and qualifications that are expected from the candidates applying for the job position. Job analysis can be further classified into two main types that are the job description and job specification.

Table of Contents

1

  • Job Description vs Job Specification
  • Comparison Table Between Job Description and Job Specification
  • What is a Job Description?
  • What is Job Specification?
  • Main Differences Between Job Description and Job Specification
  • Conclusion
  • References

The main difference between job description and job specification is that job description provides a summary of all the roles, tasks, and responsibilities that are expected to be offered to the candidate by the company while job specification provides an overview of all the expected skills, attributes, experience and qualification from the candidate for the job position in the company.

Similarities between job description and job specification

Job description contains the details like qualifications required by the candidates of the position, knowledge about the skills, tools, or aids that should be used at work, physical demands, salary range, and even working conditions.

The determining factor of whether the candidate is suitable for the accomplishment of the goals related to the position can be done through jobs specification.

Comparison Table Between Job Description and Job Specification

Parameters of Comparison Job Description Job Specification
Definition Job description contains detailed information about the job position like title, duties, responsibilities, job location, role in a format Job specification contains a set of information like qualities, experience, qualifications, the knowledge that are essential for the candidate to perform the job role
Origin Job description has originated from job analysis Job specification has originated from the job description
purpose Job description provides the essential description of the job profile Job specification provides the eligibility criteria for the candidates of the job profile
Elements Provide details like job title, job role, job location, responsibilities, allowances, duties, salary, and incentives Provides details like knowledge, attributes, skills, qualification, experience, and other requirements
Relationship with the organization Job description provides insights about the offerings of the company to the candidate Job specification provides the expectation of the company from the candidates

What is a Job Description?

It contains the details like qualifications required by the candidates of the position, knowledge about the skills, tools, or aids that should be used at work, physical demands, salary range, and even working conditions.

The job description can be related to job analysis which examines the sequences and tasks which are required by the candidate to perform in the job position. Job descriptions are usually in narrative form and can also contain a list of competencies.

The main use of job descriptions is by employers during the recruitment process. The job description can also contain the relationship factor with other co-workers of the organization like that of managerial level, supervisory level, and other related requirements.

It can include probable promotion conditions and routes. Job descriptions can be inflexible in certain organizations which are rapidly changing. Senior-level recruitment may cause hindrance in freedom of choice and directions through job description.

What is Job Specification?

Job specification refers to the skills, knowledge, and abilities that are required to perform a certain job position in any organization. The job specification for any specific role can include aspects like work experience, education, managerial experience, personality traits which help in evaluating the candidate for the role.

Job specification plays an essential role in the selection and recruitment process of any organization. It is also helpful in evaluating the performance of the employees and can further play role in the promotion and appraisal of the employee.

Job specifications contain specific details of the position of the job. The four main parameters are educational qualification, experience, skillset and knowledge, and personality characteristics and traits. Job specification focuses on all these four parameters.

Job specification essentially highlights all the minute details that are required by the potential candidates. It also provides a threshold for recruiting managers. It builds a framework based on which the prospects can be selected.

Main Differences Between Job Description and Job Specification

  1. Job description refers to the offering of the company to the candidate while job specification refers to the expectation of the company from the candidate.
  2. A job description aims to provide relevant and enough information about the job role while a job specification aims to evaluate the right candidate for the job role.
Similarities between job description and job specification

Conclusion

it is the fundamental part of any recruiting team of an industry or organization. It involves strategic planning as well as deep psychology to evaluate the appropriate choice.

Both the features play a pivotal role in every organization or company. It is the combination of both the features that lead to determining and selecting the closest fit for a role.

References

  1. https://etd.lis.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search/view_etd?URN=etd-0908108-150640
  2. https://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTotal-ZXGL201411021.htm

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What are the similarities of job description and job specification?

The similarities between a job description and job specification include: Both are used by recruiters. Both help recruiters attract the best candidates for a particular job.

What are the similarities and differences between job analysis and job description?

Job description is a document indicating what a job covers, i.e. tasks, responsibilities, duties, powers and authorities, attached to a job. In finer terms, Job Analysis means an in-depth examination and evaluation of a particular Job. Conversely, Job Description is a statement that characterizes of a particular job.

What is the relationship between job description job specification and job analysis?

Relationship between the three The relationship between job analysis, job specification and job description is that job analysis is the fundamental basis upon which job description and job specification are formulated.

Is job description and person specification the same?

A job description sets out the overall purpose of a role and the main tasks to be carried out. The associated person specification details the skills and experience required in order to perform the job effectively.