What is the difference between job description and person specification?

I have recently handed in a piece of coursework and my teacher has told me that I need to explain the difference between job description and person specification. What is this? Can you be quite specific please!





Thanks|||In real simple terms, a job description is the details of the role itself. For example it could be filing, answering the phone, inputting data onto a PC etc.


The person specification is the skillset that the employer would like to see of the ideal candidate. For example, if the job description was for an office junior that involved filing, typing, data entry etc then the employer might be looking for someone with skills including neatness, accuracy, reliability, ability to work alone or even as part of a team, a good time-keeper.





In essence, the job description refers to the role and the person specification refers to the attributes of the individual they would prefer for the role.





Hope this helps?|||A job description describes the tasks associated with the job. A person specification lists the attributes, qualifications, experience of the ideal candidate.|||A job description describes the job and the requirements of the role.





A person specification dictates the personality and experience traits of the best person for the job.|||A job description provides detail about a specific role.In other words it is not dependent on the attributes of a specific individual,but on the attributes of a specific set of tasks.


It %26#039;describes%26#039; the nature of tasks to be undertaken in a particular role and the responsibilities of that role.





A person specification on the other hand %26#039;describes%26#039; the attributes of a particular person needed to fill a role - including such things as work experience and qualifications.





I hope this helps - its from the top of my head|||Job description is what the job involves, your roles as an employee, what hours you need to work, wages etc, etc,


Person specification is such as, needs NVQ level 2, GCSE%26#039;s at grade C or above or whatever qualifications that job need for the person to fill the role.|||a job description is what the job consists of eg title,purpose,main duties,who they are responsible to and if they are responsible for anyone





a person specification in the persons qualifications, qualities, skills andexperience that would be ideal for the job|||Follow this link bellow and it will help out with more detail. On the job descripton and person specification.|||A job description is what the job involves for example the activities the employee will do. For example waitressing....you will be serving food and drink.





A person specification is what qualities the person needs for example aspects of their personality and ability which will make them good for the job. For example the ability to interact with people and be polite.





hope this helps good luck with your coursework!! xx|||I would say a job description is an outline of the tasks the role includes. The person specification is the kind of attitude and experience expected of the candidate who could get the job.