What do you call the written record that outlines the responsibilities and skills necessary for a specific job?

The written record that outlines the responsibilities and skills necessary for a specific job is known as a job description. This document serves multiple purposes in human resources and business management. It provides clarity to potential candidates about what the job entails, including the necessary qualifications, duties, and reporting relationships. Job descriptions are also vital for performance reviews and organizational structure, serving as a reference point for both employees and managers. They ensure that there’s a mutual understanding of expectations, making them crucial for recruitment and employee management.

While job postings communicate the availability of a position to attract candidates, and job summaries provide a brief overview of a role, it is the job description that offers a comprehensive detail of what is expected and required from a candidate in a specific position. An employment contract, on the other hand, formalizes the terms of employment but does not typically focus on outlining job responsibilities and necessary skills.