Requisition

(Req)

Glossary of HR Terms Requisition (Req)

What is a Req?

A Requisition (often shortened to Req) is a formal request to open a new job position within an organization. It typically includes details such as job title, department, reporting manager, required skills, budgeted salary, and justification for the role. Once approved, the requisition authorizes the HR or recruiting team to begin the hiring process.

Why it matters

Requisitions are a critical control point in the hiring process. They ensure that new roles are aligned with organizational needs, budgeted correctly, and approved by the appropriate stakeholders. This prevents unplanned hiring, supports workforce planning, and creates a standardized process for launching job searches.

Where it fits in the HR stack

Requisitions sit in the talent acquisition and workforce planning layers of the HR stack. They are usually managed within an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) or HCM (Human Capital Management) platform, which allows hiring managers, recruiters, and finance teams to collaborate on approvals and track requisition status.

Common use cases/Examples

  • Submitting a requisition for a new software engineer in the product team.
  • Requesting a replacement hire after an employee resigns.
  • Tracking requisition approvals across finance, HR, and leadership.
  • Monitoring the number of open requisitions to forecast recruiting workloads.
  • Aligning requisition data with workforce planning and budgeting.

Examples of companies that use it:

  • Large enterprises such as Deloitte, IBM, or Accenture, which manage thousands of open requisitions globally at any time.
  • Tech companies like Google or Salesforce, which use requisition workflows in ATS platforms like Greenhouse or Workday.
  • SMBs and startups using lighter ATS solutions (e.g., Lever, Workable) to create and approve requisitions before posting jobs.

FAQ

No. A requisition is an internal approval document that authorizes recruiting, while a job posting is the external advertisement of the role.

Typically the hiring manager submits it, and approvals come from HR, finance, and sometimes executives depending on budget or role seniority.

Yes. Most ATS and HCM platforms include requisition management modules that track approvals, budgets, and status.

Common details include job title, department, location, reporting manager, salary range, employment type, and justification for the hire.

They create a clear audit trail of hiring decisions, ensuring roles are budget-approved, justified, and consistent with workforce plans, which is important for internal governance and external audits.