Home
Person Specificationwww.DairyJobs.eu
A Person Specification describes the ideal personal attributes an incumbent requires.
It is a profile of the personal skills, qualifications, abilities and experiences to identify in candidates during the recruitment and selection process. The criteria should relate directly to the duties of the job description and contain the minimum requirements essential to do the job effectively. These criteria should form the basis of the advert in order to attract the most suitable candidates and form the basis of the selection criteria.
Suggestions for preparing a Person Specification
- From the job description pick out the duties, grouping together those which are similar.
- Translate duties into the abilities and skills needed to do the job. Specify necessary skills as far as possible in precise job-related terms.
- Identify any specific knowledge requirements for the job or requirement of some evidence of ability to learn.
- Where relevant indicate qualifications and level of education required for the job, be as precise as possible.
- Identify experience required to carry out the job. Define the extent.
- Education and qualifications
- Training and experience
- Personal attributes / qualities
A job description describes the job but a person specification describes more fully the profile of the person for the role. A person specification is prepared and used to ensure the selection of the 'best match' person for the position.
How should a person specification be created?
Personal "dimensions" are used to design the person specification calssifying these as "essential" or "desirable".
Essential refers to the minimum needed to carry out the job. The job cannot de done without these criteria. Without these basic criteria no one will be offered the job, no matter what other attributes they might posses.
Desirable refers to those criteria which are not essential and a person could do the job without these. If more than one candidate satisfies the essential criteria then desirable attributes can be taken into account in selection. (it is useful to list desirable criteria in order of priority).
Examples:
- Physical (e.g. appearance, weight, age, speech, stature)
- Achievements (e.g. level of education completed, work experience)
- Aptitudes (e.g. verbal reasoning, numerical aptitude)
- Interests (hobbie, social activities; sporting activities)
- Personal circumstances (e.g. married, children, mobility, working hours, other commitments)
- Leadership traits
A Person specification should be prepared and used with care. It is important to ensure that the list of essential or desired competencies does not lead to unlawful discrimination against potential employees. After an appointment take care not to tell candidates that you chose the best cndidate for the job but consider simply saying that the selected candidate was a better fit with the company's requirements for the role.
Dairy Jobs Search Services
Contact us and let DairyJobs speed up the recruiting solution for your company
Job agencies looking for staff for clients please contact and we can assist with locating high quality candidates quickly on a minimal fee / reciprocal basis or simply advertize with us.