What is the main difference between a job role and a job specification?

The distinction between a job role and a job specification is essential in understanding how organizations define positions and expectations for employees. A job specification outlines qualifications needed, which typically includes educational requirements, skills, experience, and attributes necessary to perform effectively in a specific position. This serves as a guideline for both recruitment and employee evaluation, detailing what a candidate must possess to be eligible for the job.

In contrast, a job role refers more broadly to the overall purpose of the job and the responsibilities it entails. While qualifications are an important part of a job specification, job roles focus on what the individual will do within the organization. Understanding this separation helps clarify how organizations manage talent acquisition and performance assessments, emphasizing the requirements outlined in the job specification as a critical component of the hiring process.