A person specification describes the personal attributes desired in a potential employee. It is a companion document to a
job description
A job description or JD is a written narrative that describes the general tasks, or other related duties, and responsibilities of a position. It may specify the functionary to whom the position reports, specifications such as the qualifications ...
, describing the personal attributes being sought from applicants to ensure that they are suitable for the role.
[ These attributes include qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge, and sometimes personal attributes ][ which a candidate needs to possess in order to perform the job duties.][ The specification should be derived from the job description and thus help form the foundation for the recruitment process. Person specifications are also good for helping potential applicants understand the job's requirements and self-select accordingly.][
When writing a person specification, it is often suggested by guides that the content be ]measurable
In mathematics, the concept of a measure is a generalization and formalization of Geometry#Length, area, and volume, geometrical measures (length, area, volume) and other common notions, such as mass and probability of events. These seemingly ...
,[ and it cannot contain content that would directly or indirectly discriminate unnecessarily against protected groups.][
Many employers currently use ]core competencies
A core competency is a concept in management theory introduced by C. K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel.Prahalad, C.K. and Hamel, G. (1990)The core competence of the corporation", Harvard Business Review (v. 68, no. 3) pp. 79–91. It can be define ...
to build their person specification.[
]
See also
*Human Resource Management
Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, ...
*Personnel
Employment is a relationship between two parties regulating the provision of paid labour services. Usually based on a contract, one party, the employer, which might be a corporation, a not-for-profit organization, a co-operative, or any othe ...
*Job Description
A job description or JD is a written narrative that describes the general tasks, or other related duties, and responsibilities of a position. It may specify the functionary to whom the position reports, specifications such as the qualifications ...
*Business
Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or Trade, buying and selling Product (business), products (such as goods and Service (economics), services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for pr ...
References
External links
acas.gov.ukbusinesslink.gov.uk
Human resource management
Recruitment
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