Write a person specification

Key points

  • A person specification sets out the key characteristics, qualifications and type of experience that the person who could most effectively carry out the job will have.
  • To ensure that the person specification is of practical use in finding the appropriate candidate, the employer should ensure that it is neither too vague nor too prescriptive. It should consider distinguishing between criteria that are necessary and those that are desirable.
  • Employers should be aware of the risk of unlawfully discriminating against potential applicants when writing a person specification.

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