Which country was the first to hold competitive examination to select candidates for a particular job?

China was the first country to implement a competitive examination system for selecting candidates for government positions. This system, known as the Imperial Examination, was established during the Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD) and became more formalized during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). It aimed to recruit talented individuals based on merit rather than birth or connections, influencing civil service systems in other countries.