Meaning & use
job specification
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
a formal description of the duties, responsibilities, and required skills for a particular job
Grammar: Countable: use 'a' or a plural. It is often written as part of a job advertisement or recruitment document.
Patterns
- a job specification for something
- write/draw up a job specification
- meet the job specification
Before advertising the post, the manager wrote a detailed job specification.
The job specification lists the qualifications and experience needed for the role.
Applicants who do not meet the job specification will not be shortlisted.
Word forms
| plural | job specifications |
|---|
Common combinations
- detailed job specification
- A detailed job specification helps candidates understand what the role involves.
- draw up a job specification
- The human resources team drew up a job specification for the new position.
- meet the job specification
- Only candidates who meet the job specification will be invited to interview.
- include something in a job specification
- They included the need for a driving license in the job specification.
Synonyms and how they differ
- job description
- A job description focuses mainly on duties and tasks, while a job specification emphasizes the personal qualities and qualifications required.
- person specification
- A person specification often lists the ideal candidate's attributes, whereas a job specification can cover both the role and the requirements.
Word family
- specify verb
- To state something clearly and exactly.
- specific adjective
- Clear and exact, not general.
- specification noun
- A detailed description of how something should be or be done.
Commonly confused: job specification or job description?
job specification vs job description
A job description tells you what the job involves day to day, while a job specification tells you what kind of person and skills the employer is looking for.
Practice
In a recruitment context, what is a 'job specification'?
Choose one answer.
A job specification is a formal description of the job's duties, responsibilities, and the skills needed. Option A describes a job description, option C is a job offer, and option D is a performance review.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “job specification”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.