What is the Importance of Job Analysis to the Selection Process?

Job analyis is important because it begins the process of dissecting a position(job) into elements that can be defined and measured. Job analysis includes the development of a job description which will accurately show the purpose of the job, the essential functions/job duties, and what knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) will be required for the job. It also lists who the position reports to and defines the job into a salaried or hourly category. Having a job description is essential to the selection process because only candidates who have the skills and abilities that most closely match the description will be considered for the job. In a sense it is the best way to select a candidate. Without the job analysis process, a manager would have a difficult time establishing what the employee's job duties would be and, furthermore, how to measure the success of the individual in those job duties. The risk would be great for hiring the wrong person if you did not define the necessary skill sets. This would, undoubtedly lead to terminations and high turnover. An effective organization cannot be successful without a proper job analysis being performed for all positions.