What is involved in investigating whether a vacancy actually exists?

The correct answer is job analysis, which involves a systematic process of gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information about a job to determine its essential tasks, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications. When investigating whether a vacancy exists, job analysis provides valuable insights into the specific needs of the organization and identifies whether a position needs to be filled based on the current business requirements.

Through job analysis, businesses can assess the relevance and necessity of the role within the organizational structure, evaluate workload and productivity, and understand the implications of not filling the vacancy. This thorough examination helps ensure that any recruitment efforts align with the actual needs of the organization, thereby making it a fundamental step in the decision-making process regarding vacancies.

In contrast, job specification is typically about outlining the qualifications needed for a job, screening refers to the process of evaluating candidates, and recruitment is the broader strategy of attracting and selecting candidates for a role. Each of these processes is important in the hiring journey, but they do not primarily focus on determining if a vacancy truly exists.