How To Write a Job Specification
A job specification is your first opportunity to really engage a potential member of staff – it is here that you can go beyond the job title!
What will a candidate want to know?
- Who you are? A candidate that is serious about their next career move will want to know the history of your company, your current specialist areas and organisational structure and your future plans. These topics can be covered briefly and will motivate the candidate to apply for your vacancy.
- What will they be doing? Here you can specify what the role will involve: key responsibilities, customers they will be dealing with, where they need to be located and reasons for the proposed position. It is helpful to include any training that will be part of the role as a candidate will want to know how they can further develop their career with you.
- What experience is required? Candidates will want to know how suitable they are for the vacancy so it is important to answer the following questions: what skills, experience and career history is required? Do they need qualifications? What sort of personality should they possess:
- What are the benefits to them? The market is very competitive so by detailing the overall package, it will better entice a good candidate rather than just providing the basic salary. Will they receive a company car or allowance? Is there a bonus or commission scheme? Do you provide a pension or health insurance? A good question to ask yourself is why should someone work for your company?
Points to Avoid:
When writing a job specification, it is imperative not to appear discriminatory whether it is on the grounds of age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity.
For example, the wording must not seem to suggest that role is only for men or indeed only for women. Employers must be aware not to word the job specification so as to suggest that a younger applicant is preferred, or in fact that a certain amount of years is required – a length of time that is possibly unobtainable for younger applicants.
Should you wish to discuss the writing of your job specification, please call your specialist consultant or the Head Office on 0161 443 0000.
