What is the KSA? Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

If you’re not already familiar with the KSA, and want a job with the federal government, you should be. This sole component of the application process helps evaluate candidates for nearly every government position.

Submitted as an attachment or a separate document to the federal job application, the KSA is a list of the specific sets of knowledge, skills and abilities a federal agency is seeking in a job candidate. “How far a candidate gets in the application process is likely to be determined by the ability to convincingly address the agency's requested KSA’s,” writes Kathy Troutman. She should know. Ms. Troutman is considered the expert in every nuance of the federal employment process, including the art of the KSA presentation.

After reviewing an applicant’s KSA, the candidate is rated and ranked based on his or her qualifications. The subsequent score can be the deciding factor in whether an applicant reaches the next phase by being referred to the hiring manager or recommended for an interview. That’s why it’s so important to get it right – it carries that much weight.

Don’t panic if you’re new to exploring a career with the federal government and have never seen one. Taken directly from the government’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s human resources staff, these 11 tips should help you develop an attention-grabbing KSA:

1. Read the vacancy announcement carefully
2. Gather the information needed to begin writing
3. Be specific
4. Be precise
5. Get to the point
6. Do not ramble
7. Use lots of examples
8. State specifically what you have done
9. Do not use acronyms
10. Present yourself in “clear and plain” language
11. Do not borrow language from the position description

There’s a lot more information available to help guide you in writing a winning KSA, including Ms. Troutman’s website at http://www.resume-place.com/, or the official government website at www.usa.gov/infocenter. In addition, many resume writers specialize in KSA writing, while others offer it as their only service.

Landing a federal job isn’t always easy. However, with persistence, determination and a polished KSA, you can be successful.