Cambridge O Level Business Studies · Syllabus 7115 · People in Business
Person Specification
What is Person Specification?
A document setting out the attributes required from an applicant for a job: the qualifications, skills, experience and personal qualities needed to do it, usually separated into essential and desirable requirements. It describes the person, not the job, and it is the standard against which applications are shortlisted so that selection is based on job-related evidence rather than personal preference.
This definition is part of the People in Business chapter in Cambridge O Level Business Studies.
Questions students ask about Person Specification
What is the difference between a job description and a person specification?
A job description sets out what the job involves: its title, duties, responsibilities and who the postholder reports to. A person specification sets out what the applicant must offer: the qualifications, skills, experience and personal qualities needed, usually split into essential and desirable. A sentence that says "must have three years' experience" belongs on the person specification; one that says "supervise the evening shift" belongs on the job description.