What is the relationship between job analysis, job descriptions, and job specifications?

The main difference between job description and job specification is that a job description indicates an overview of the responsibilities, duties, and operations related to a specific job in a particular organization, whereas a job specification is an overview of qualifications, skills, and personality traits, expected from an individual in order to perform a particular job.

Job descriptions and job specifications are two indicators used by recruiters to encourage the best and the most qualified candidates for a target job. Although they share some similarities, they are not the same.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Job Description 
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is a Job Specification
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Job Description and Job Specification
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Job Description and Job Specification
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Job, Job Description, Job Specification 

What is a Job Description

A job description is a tool that gives an overview of the responsibilities, duties, and operations related to a specific job in a particular organization. Generally, employees conduct a job analysis to create a clear description of what the job demands.

Job descriptions are significant when it comes to the hiring processes as it highlights the job role and the ideal candidate to fill the position. Simply put, a job description aids the recruiter in reaching the ideal candidates for interviews, and the points included in the description usually become the basis for questions.

When it comes to job seekers, job descriptions help them to decide whether a potential job matches their skills, interests, goals, and preferences. It basically communicates the expectations of the organization and indicates whether your qualifications fit the target job position. By analyzing a job description, you can compare a particular job with other jobs with similar benefits, salaries, and responsibilities. The basic components of a job description include the purpose of the job, job duties, objectives, goals, qualifications or requirements, scope of the work, supervisory responsibilities, working conditions, special circumstances, etc.

What is a Job Specification

A job specification includes the list of qualities required to get qualified to perform a particular job. Unlike a job description, which includes the title of the position, the responsibilities of the position, and a summary, a job specification highlights the personality, skills, educational qualifications, and work experience a target candidate might need to get qualified for a particular job. A job specification helps candidates outline their abilities and capabilities to perform the tasks mentioned in the job description.

A job specification educates candidates about what skills they should use in the targeted position. Therefore, hiring managers generally use job specifications to motivate the best and most qualified candidates. Moreover, the basic components of a job specification include education, experience, skills, personality traits, demands, and credentials.

Similarities Between Job Description and Job Specification

• Both job descriptions and job specifications are used by recruiters.
• Moreover, these help recruiters encourage the best and the most qualified candidates for a target job.

Difference Between Job Description and Job Specification

Definition

A job description indicates an overview of the responsibilities, duties, and operations related to a specific job in a particular organization. On the other hand,  a job specification is a statement of the requirements, basically qualifications, skills, and personality traits expected from an individual in order to perform a particular job.

Basic Components

The basic components of a job description are the purpose of the job, job duties, objectives, goals, qualifications or requirements, scope of the work, supervisory responsibilities, working conditions, and special circumstances. In contrast, the basic components of a job specification include education, experience, skills, personality traits, demands, and credentials.

Purpose

A job description aids the recruiter in reaching the ideal candidates for interviews, and the points included in the description usually become the basis for questions. Moreover, it helps job seekers to decide whether a potential job matches their skills, interests, goals, and preferences. But, a job specification basically helps the candidate to outline their abilities and capabilities in order to perform the tasks mentioned in the job description.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a job description indicates an overview of the responsibilities, duties, and operations related to a specific job. In contrast, a job specification is an overview of qualifications, skills, and personality traits expected from a candidate who applies for a particular job. Therefore, this is the main difference between job description and job specification.

What is the relationship between job descriptions and job specifications?

What is the relationship between job analysis job descriptions and job specifications quizlet?

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