Understanding job descriptions and person specifications

Employers use these documents to ensure that only qualified applicants submit applications. Job Descriptions, Person Specifications or adverts may use words or phrases which are unclear or relate to the role – if you can, ask someone you know who works for a similar company if they can understand them.

Job Description (JD) outlines the scope, duties, responsibilities and tasks of the role. If written well, it can help you visualise what it would be like to do that job. It also often forms part of your employment contract.

Job Descriptions are sometimes vague – the words “anything else that is reasonably requested” is often included in job descriptions as employers can’t always predict what might need to be done and don’t want to limit themselves