Job description
Also known as: JD, job spec
A job description (JD) is the document that defines a role: its responsibilities, required skills and experience, reporting line, and how success is measured. A precise JD is the foundation of an effective search and the first thing strong candidates judge.
Treat the JD as a positioning document, not just a checklist. It should make a strong candidate want the role, and it should give the scorecard and the structured interview concrete criteria to assess against.
A vague or overloaded job description is one of the most common causes of a stalled search: if the role is not sharp on paper, the shortlist will not be sharp either.