For the record, a side view (7)
I believe the answer is:
profile
'a side view' is the definition.
(profile is a kind of side view)
'for the record' is the wordplay.
'for' becomes 'pro' (I've seen this before).
'the record' becomes 'file' (file is a kind of record).
'pro'+'file'='PROFILE'
(Other definitions for profile that I've seen before include "Short biographical sketch" , "View from one side" , "Sideways view" , "Side view of face" , "Sideways outline" .)