KSA INSTRUCTIONS
About this KSA Template:
This KSA template will give you space to complete two KSA statements. Each statement
gives you the space to give two examples demonstrating your specific Knowledge,
Skill or Ability. Each statement also gives you space to list relevant educational
courses, training, awards and quotes from evaluations and complimentary letters.
After you complete this template one time for two KSAs, you will have to come
back and write more to draft all of your KSA statements.
It is recommended that you read and print the instructions
and samples before filling out the templates.
The writing style for the KSA examples is based on the new
OPM recommended CCAR model: Context, Challenge, Action and Results. The federal
personnel specialists prefer to read examples that demonstrate your KSAs. They
do not want generic KSAs any longer. So this format is based on situations where
you can demonstrate your knowledge, skill or ability. Need more ideas and help,
get the Federal Resume Guidebook.
What are KSAs?
KSAs have different names for various federal agencies. They could be called:
Supplemental Statements, Quality Ranking Factors, Key Elements, Factors or Knowledge,
Skills & Abilities. Whatever the title used by human resources announcement
writers, the responses are the same.
KSAs are the additional writing projects required by many
federal announcements. The hiring managers and human resources staff want to read
about specific experience that demonstrate you can perform the job.will support
your candidacy for the position. The KSAs include more details about examples
than your federal resume. The KSAs supplement your federal resume with project
descriptions, challenges, actions and results. The KSAs are a narrative, written
in first person (I lead a team of 12 engineers, etc.) which tell the reader what
you actually did and hopefully, what you accomplished.
The real reason for KSAs:
Your application – federal resume, SF-171, OF-612 – will contain dates,
job titles, agency names, lots of salaries and details, and job descriptions.
The application may not include examples that will show the reader how good you
are at specific skill sets and tasks. You need to strive to tell the reader you
are expert, proficient, highly-qualified or skilled at certain things. The human
resource staff want to be SOLD on your capabilities. They want to find highly-qualified
people for their positions. If you are qualified for the position (which the resume
will state), and you can demonstrate your ability to perform the job, you will
increase your changes of being Highly Qualified for the position.
Read your Announcement:
The vacancy announcement will tell you if the KSAs are mandatory. Even if they
are not mandatory, it is recommended that the KSAs be written in addition to your
application. Make sure that you follow any recommended format or instructions
for writing the KSAs.
How long should KSAs be?
Each KSA statement should be 2/3rds of one page to one and one-half pages ONLY!
Each KSA can include one or two examples following the CCAR outline
The KSA Writing template has space for writing 2 KSA Statements.
1. Page one with introductory information
2. Additional KSA pages
How do I write a KSA?
The Office of Personnel Management has designed a formula for writing KSAs. It
is called the CCAR Model. This stands for CONTEXT, CHALLENGE, ACTION, RESULTS.
The CCAR Outline is the recommended format for writing descriptions of your experience
that support each KSA. The human resources staff would like to see Examples of
your Knowledge, Skill or Ability that demonstrate your past experience. This way
they can see if you are qualified to perform the advertised position. The KSAs
are actually graded on a scale of 0 to 25 (sometimes). So the better your write
your examples, the higher your grade will be. The human resources staff have been
dissatisfied with generic responses to KSAs where examples of work were not evident.
Please give examples of your experiences that support each KSA.
How many examples should I write in each KSA?
If you have one very good example, that will probably suffice. But if you have
one good example from your most recent position, then a shorter example from a
previous position, that might result in a higher grade.
Can a KSA example be an unpaid or volunteer activity?
Yes, you can use an example from a volunteer, community service or unpaid position.
Your leadership role in schools, non-profit organizations or sports teams, can
be used to respond to KSAs. If you can use the CCAR model, use it. But if you
haven’t had an actual challenge or result in your volunteer position, simply
write a statement about your volunteer activities that will demonstrate the particular
KSA.
KSA: Ability to manage budgets.
(Context)"As the Treasurer for the Hillcrest Elementary
School, (Challenge and Actions) I am responsible for managing a $50,000 annual
budget with 5 major events for a school of 800 students. Additionally, I am responsible
for receiving fundraising income, and preparing budget reports for PTA and board
meeetings. (Results) We have successfully increased or budget by $10,000 since
1997."
Should I use headings in my KSAs to make the information
more readable?
Yes, these are some suggested headings. All items listed are optional. There are
no specific formats or instructions for writing KSAs (usually).
KSA item – type the actual KSA statement from
the announcement
Introduction (this is optional)
Results (for each example)
Training
Honors & Recognitions
Highlighting KSAs: it is helpful to highlight the title
of your position in each example. The title of your position will help the reader
recognize that you are writing about a new experience. If your Result is outstanding,
you could either highlight with bold or italics for additional emphasis.
Final Thoughts:
Good luck with writing your KSAs. Remember, you will be tested and graded on your
answers. The KSAs are a major deciding factor in being rated as Best Qualified
for the position. If you are unsure of your ability to write KSAs, or want to
make sure that you have actually answered the KSA, consider the Resume Place Professional
Services to ensure that you will be graded as high as possible with your KSAs.
