How To Write Your KSA Answers To Get That Government Job

Today’s volatile economic environment and expected layoffs mean that many people will be looking for a new job. For many of you, a job with the US government can offer security, great benefits, and interesting work. But keep in mind: the competition for these jobs is intense and you have to stand out from all other applicants to get a placement; that’s where KSA becomes a key opportunity that you can use to land that government job.

What is a KSA?

The US Office of Personnel Management maintains a searchable database, called USAJOBS, that lists government job openings. Once you’ve registered online, you’ll find that specific job openings often require you to fill out a detailed description of your Knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) in addition to his resume.

Each job that requires a KSA will have KSA-specific questions for you to answer, typically in about a page of written content. This is not an optional task. You must do it and you must do it well. Each KSA response is rated by HR staff on a 0-20 scale reflecting how well your knowledge, skills, and abilities match the complexity, impact, variety, circumstances, and interactions that characterize the job. that you are requesting. KSAs are often the deciding factor in your evaluation for US government employment. So what are KSAs? According to the CDC help page on KSA:

Knowledge Statements refer to an organized body of information generally of a factual or procedural nature that, if applied, enables proper job performance. A body of information applied directly to the performance of a function.

skills Statements refer to the skillful manual, verbal, or mental manipulation of data or things. Skills can be easily measured by a performance test in which the quantity and quality of performance are assessed, usually within a set time limit. Examples of proficient handling of things are the ability to type or the ability to operate a vehicle. Examples of competent data manipulation are the ability to calculate using decimals; skill in editing transposed numbers, etc.

Ability The statements refer to the ability to perform an observable activity in the present moment. This means that the skills have been evidenced through activities or behaviors that are similar to those required on the job, for example, the ability to plan and organize work. Skills are different from aptitudes. Skills are just the potential to perform the activity.

How should you answer the KSA questions to improve your chances of getting a government job?

The most effective answers to the KSA questions reflect your understanding of the job requirements based on a detailed analysis of the job description and typical tasks. You should pay close attention to the keywords used in the job description and use those words to describe your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Generally, knowledge it is more abstract than skills and can therefore be generalized to many different tasks and responsibilities. Knowledge comes from academic and life experiences including, but not limited to, education and employment. Any knowledge you have that is relevant to the job you are seeking is something to include in your KSA answer.

It’s a good idea to brainstorm for yourself and with others what “knowledge” you should claim because you can demonstrate it through your written responses. For example, let’s say the position requires “being able to organize a project.” While her work experience did not give her the opportunity to manage a project, her experience managing a PTA fundraiser for a year, while unpaid, could legitimately be claimed as “administration experience.” of a project”. It is up to you to describe the knowledge you gained in a way that translates to the job you are applying for.

Think about skills as testable capabilities, that is, understanding how a spreadsheet program can help manage a budget is knowledge; Being able to create an Excel spreadsheet to track expenses is a skill. Pull the skill requirements from the job posting and offer evidence that you possess those skills. For example, the Pharmacy Assistant position requires knowledge demonstrated by certified training and skills Gained from previous experience in drug delivery and working with clients.

How to write an effective KSA response

By answering the KSA questions, you are making claims about your knowledge, skills, and abilities. You then need to back up those claims with credible evidence. You should develop your KSA answers with two key variables in mind: content relevance and presentation quality. The National Forest Service provides an excellent tutorial on the do’s and don’ts of writing effective KSA responses.

Describe your knowledge, skills, and abilities in terms that directly relate to the job using keywords you pull from the job posting. Then “prove” with specific examples what you can do because of what you did in the past and the context in which you did it. Put your compliance with key job requirements at the beginning of the appropriate KSA response or at the beginning of a paragraph. For example: If the job requires a degree in accounting, you can first say clearly, “I completed my accounting degree at XYZ University” has to; then go on to describe your experience in accounting tasks.

Numbers can be your friend when it comes to providing proof to your reviewers. Instead of saying, “I wrote reports” consider saying, “Prepared monthly reports on six field tests with a lead time of two days”.

Knowledge and skills can also be demonstrated by using a general description of your past responsibilities with examples of specific tasks, describing any training or certifications you received, and citing awards or recognition for achievement. Reviewers like to see action words in your KSA answers and that requires you to write in an active versus passive voice. You should say: “I analyzed data…” No “The data was analyzed”. You can find an excellent list of action verbs in Job Skills – Power Verbs.

In conclusion, your KSA responses must:

• be concise
• be relevant
• Be specific
• Have quantitative examples
• Make it easy for reviewers to find your compliance with key job requirements
• Be action and achievement oriented
• be well written with NO TYPES and good sentence construction. It’s a good idea to have someone else review his answers before submitting because sometimes it’s hard to see your own mistakes.

Remember, the KSA responses separate those who are qualified for a job from those who are most qualified.