HRMantra

Job Description Vs Job Specification | HRMantra

Job Description Vs Job Specification | HRMantra

Job Description Vs Job Specification | HRMantra

 7-9 minutes

Definition of Job Description

A Job Description can be defined as an illustration of a job''s roles and responsibilities in an organization. It would normally follow a job analysis that has a description of the job.

What Is a Job Specification?

Job specification means the qualities required for a particular job. It is the outline of character, skills, educational qualification, and work experience that must be possessed by the candidate to perform a job. It is an indication of the demands and the prerequisites needed for any candidate to fill the job.

The job specification is created based on the job description.

A job specification may include requirements such as level of experience and qualifications, and could also go as far as considering demographic factors which encompass items such as age, education, etc.

It can also consider attributes such as abilities, adaptability, attitude, and critical thinking skills.

Also, personal aspects like personality traits, behavior, and habits may be taken into account for an individual.

Job Description vs Job Specification: Key Differences

Job Description Job Specification
A Job description explains the job, roles, responsibilities, duties, and scope of the position. Job Specification outlines the qualifications required to execute a specific job advertisement.
Job Description is job-based on job analysis. Job Specification is based on the Job Description.
Job Description describes the job. Job Specification describes the qualifications and skills of the candidate required for the job.
Job Description describes an overview regarding the task that will be performed an employee when recruited for the job. A Job Specification lists the qualifications and abilities a candidate should have to be selected.
A detailed Job Description includes information like duties, place of work, nature of work, hours of work involvement, reporting scale, and pay. A detailed person specification includes the definition, experience requirements, and qualifications, skills-knowledge requirements, age limits, abilities, and work guidance factors.
The Job Description guides the recruiters to locate candidates and supplies reference material as they screen the candidate. At the same time, one can use it to decide whether or not a job aligns with one''s abilities, aims, and preferences. One is able to use a job specification as a candidate to demonstrate the skills and capabilities necessary in doing the mentioned line of job.
A job description essentially is a statement regarding what is expected from an employee. The basic reason to have a job specification is to help candidates analyze for themselves whether they are fit for the job position they are aspiring for.
A job description helps the organization to fill any gaps in the skill sets required for a job or to reduce the responsibility sharing by different employees. A job specification is used to compare the performance of the candidate while recruitment for the concerned job, with the desired set of criteria or standards.
A job description is based on the job analysis. A job specification is done on the basis of a job specification.
A job description is used in the recruitment process. While a Job Spec is used at the stage nearer to the interview.
A job description carries authority as a document. Job Spec are the internal reference only.
JDs are more flexible while subject to a change and development. Job Specifications are relatively permanent. Remain the same over time.
A job description can provide standards for measuring employee performance. Job specification tells the employer how to train a person for the missing skill because several areas of ambiguity can be recognized in the job specification by an employer.
A Job description is typically short and to the point, presenting an overall picture of the position. Job Specification contains the exact information and needs of the job.
Job description normally states or mentions the salary scale for the job. Job Specification, on the other hand, defines what basis will be used in order to fix the remuneration for that particular job.

Sample of Job Description and Job Specification

Job Description:

Job Title: Sales Manager

Company: XAP Ltd. is among the leading and highly respected sales and marketing firms with branches across the nation. The firm mainly solicits for business-to-business sales via its team of 800-servicing team, targeting firms and corporate officers.

Position: We are looking to fill up a Sales Manager position with immediate effect. The role is more like a call center one with a percentage of leads that the company has provided you, which you are to call to convert them into clients. It mainly is an office-based role but will require you to work for some days in different cities.

Responsibilities:

  • Making call to customers
  • Client Acquisition
  • Marketing strategy
  • Handling direct customer request
  • Achieving the Targets
  • Analyzing the Clients
  • Reaching out to the Business leads
  • Maintaining of all the sales activity report

Job Specification:

Job Title: Sales Manager

Qualification: Any graduate/MBA in Marketing or Sales

Experience and Skills:

  • Strong Communication skill
  • Good at Time Management
  • Strong Result Oriented
  • High Pressure Handling capability
  • Strong ''Never Give up'' Attitude
  • Positive Attitude
  • Great Negotiation Skills
  • Proactive Approach

Experience: 0.1 Year of Experience, in sales or marketing.

Conclusion

Recruitment can be quite nerve-wracking because it consists of several activities.

The first activity is an initial investigation of the job, which can be carried out by methods like surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and more.

Later, a statement is formulated which outlines the demands for the job. Such a statement is termed as a Job Description, which represents the Job Analysis process.

With the use of a Job description, a Job Specification is developed. Such a specification lays out the credentials and demands to be fulfilled for any specific position. It helps in promotion and hiring of individuals to that position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it the Job Description or Job Specification that comes first?

In most instances, a job description is mentioned prior to furnishing the details of the job in a listing.

What does job specialization mean?

Job specialization indicates the process by which employees gain knowledge, training, and experience in some area of expertise.

Back to HR Glossary

Know More About HRMantra Features