Which document provides a personal profile of the type of person needed to do a particular job?

Which document provides a personal profile of the type of person needed to do a particular job?

• A. Job description
• B. Shortlist
• C. Person specification
• D. Curriculum vitae

Answer: (C)

A person specification outlines the type of person needed for a job. It lists the essential and desirable criteria—such as qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge, and personal attributes—that a successful candidate should have. It turns the job into a picture of the ideal applicant, helping recruiters decide who to interview by comparing applications or CVs against these criteria. This is different from a job description, which explains the duties and responsibilities of the role; a curriculum vitae is a candidate’s own resume; and a shortlist is simply the group of applicants selected to move forward in the process. The person specification also often distinguishes between essential criteria (must-haves) and desirable criteria (nice-to-haves), guiding fair and focused selection.

A person specification outlines the type of person needed for a job. It lists the essential and desirable criteria—such as qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge, and personal attributes—that a successful candidate should have. It turns the job into a picture of the ideal applicant, helping recruiters decide who to interview by comparing applications or CVs against these criteria. This is different from a job description, which explains the duties and responsibilities of the role; a curriculum vitae is a candidate’s own resume; and a shortlist is simply the group of applicants selected to move forward in the process. The person specification also often distinguishes between essential criteria (must-haves) and desirable criteria (nice-to-haves), guiding fair and focused selection.