Which document outlines the qualifications and characteristics required for a role?

Which document outlines the qualifications and characteristics required for a role?

• A. Job description
• B. Role profile
• C. Person specification
• D. Candidate requirements

Answer: (C)

In recruitment, the document that lists the qualifications and characteristics required for a role is the person specification. It translates what the job needs into criteria a candidate must meet, including formal qualifications, relevant experience, knowledge, technical or soft skills, and personal attributes. It typically divides criteria into essential and desirable, guiding shortlisting and selection to ensure fair, consistent judgments about who fits the role.

By contrast, a job description explains what the job involves—the duties, responsibilities, tasks, and reporting lines. A role profile provides a broader view of the role’s purpose, context, and main accountabilities, sometimes touching on the kind of competencies needed but not detailing the exact candidate criteria. “Candidate requirements” isn’t a standard formal document in HR practice, whereas the person specification precisely captures the qualifications and characteristics sought in a candidate.