What is the primary purpose of a job specification?

The primary purpose of a job specification is to describe the qualifications needed for a position. A job specification outlines the specific skills, experience, education, and attributes required for a candidate to successfully perform the duties of a job. This detail helps employers identify the right candidates during the hiring process while also providing potential applicants with clear expectations of what is required for the role.

In addition, a well-crafted job specification serves as a key document in recruitment and selection, ensuring that both the employer's needs and the candidate's profile match appropriately. It helps to inform training and development needs, as well as performance management by establishing a benchmark for evaluating employees.

While job responsibilities and company policies are important, they do not define the qualifications needed for a job, which is the core focus of a job specification.