What is a person specification and how is it used?

• A. The company mission statement.
• B. A schedule of employee benefits and leave policies.
• C. A concise description of essential and desirable qualifications, skills, and experience used to guide job postings, screening, and interview questions.
• D. The formal contract of employment offered to new hires.

Answer: (C)

A person specification is a profile of the ideal candidate written in terms of what they must have and what would be nice to have. It lists essential qualifications, skills, and experience, plus desirable attributes, and it is used to shape how a job is advertised, how candidates are screened, and what questions are asked in interviews.

This definition fits best because it directly describes both the content and the purpose: it translates the role into objective criteria that guide postings, the filtering of applications, and the design of interview questions. By separating must-have from nice-to-have, it helps recruiters quickly assess resumes, create fair shortlists, and verify candidates’ abilities with targeted questions. For example, essential criteria for a project manager might include years of experience and ability to lead teams, while desirable criteria could be industry certifications or familiarity with Agile methods.