What is the main difference between a job analysis and a job description?

While a job analysis is done to determine the duties and responsibillities of a new job a job description describes the duties and responsibilities of a new job. An analyis is a detailed examination and a description is a spoken or written representation or account of something. While these two are very similar an analysis would go much more in depth.

An analyis will help people learn about the job rather than just describing the surface attributes of the job. This can be helpful in assissting people who are unsure about their interest in a job or are unsure if they are qualified for the duties of a job.