How long should each KSA be?
KSAs are usually one to one and
one-half pages for each. For readability, make the page lengths a little less
than a full page so there is some white space at the bottom of the page. If you
write about two examples, make each example 2 paragraphs with a total of four
paragraphs.
Can I include community
service experiences in my KSAs, or do they just want paid experiences?
Absolutely, community service
and volunteer experience is relevant and adds to your "likeability"
factor. If you are an umpire for Little League or a member of the board for a
homeownerÕs association, add it to the KSAs. It would be a good example for
Ability to Communicate Orally, or Ability to Plan and Coordinate.
Should I include any
training courses in a KSA?
Yes, after you write your
examples, make a list of relevant training course that will support the
particular KSA statement.
How can I write a KSA on an
area I have no experience in? Should I apply for this job?
Yes, you should still apply for
this job. Yes, there might be a favored candidate, but itÕs possible the
favored candidateÕs resume and KSAs are not competitive and the personnel staff
do not approve their application. Or itÕs possible the favored candidateÕs spouse
is relocated and they move away. Or anything can happen. You should still
apply. Tell the hiring manager you exist and youÕre waiting for an opening.
Is it worthwhile to apply
for a job when I canÕt respond any good answer to one of the KSAs, but I am
very qualified for this job and the other KSAs?
Yes, you should still apply.
You will probably get high marks on the other KSAs, so the one KSA will result
in less points. But you should write something for this KSA. Do some Internet
research, read the mission statement, research information about the subject.
Write about your knowledge of the subject. Write about the knowledge of similar
subjects in your job. Write something.
What do they want when they
ask for my Ability to Communicate Orally?
They want to know who you
communicate with. What levels of professionals. Do you negotiate, present, give
briefings, handle sensitive situations, mediate solutions, gain consensus? Are
you a member of a team? Do you communicate with team members? They want examples
demonstrating that you can talk.
What if I canÕt understand
the KSA at all? What should I do? Fake it, call the personnel office?
If you donÕt understand a KSA,
try to call the personnel office to ask for an interpretation. But also read
the duties and responsibilities carefully again to interpret the position. Also
visit the website of the agency to see if you can understand the context of the
position and the KSAs. Try to interpret. But if the KSAs seem really
off-the-wall, you should call personnel, because itÕs possible they selected
the wrong KSAs for the announcement. ItÕs possible there was a human error. If
there is an error, the announcement will be withdrawn, rewritten and
readvertised. Save yourself some time and make a phone call. Call twice if you
need to.
What if the KSAs are totally
different than the content in the duties & responsibilities? Is this
correct? Should I write then anyway?
If the KSAs are totally
different, again you can call personnel to make sure they are correct. Chances
are they are correct, and you need to interpret them more carefully against the
duties and responsibilities in the vacancy announcement. But, sometimes the
KSAs are actually wrong for the position. Ask questions; the personnel staff is
available to provide customer services to you.
What if I have the same
answer for two KSAs? Should I split the answer in two components?
Many times applicants have the
same or similar answer for two KSAs because the KSAs are usually so close in
content itÕs difficult to figure out the difference. Sometimes you just have to
read the KSA word for word to find the difference and interpret a way to write
it in two ways. Do not respond to two KSAs with the same answer. One of the
answers will get a Zero. You can split the answer into two reasonable
components.
Is it a good idea to develop
a "database" of examples that I can use over and over again for KSAs?
Yes, itÕs a great idea to
develop sample KSAs that you can re-use and re-frame with each announcement.
You will have to pick up the language from the particular KSA each time you
rewrite them.
I canÕt think of anything to
write for KSAs. I donÕt know where to start; can you help me?
Yes, I can help. You have to
write the KSAs, or you will not be considered for a position. You have to write
about your knowledge, skills and abilities that demonstrate you can do the job.
You should either brainstorm with a friend who knows your skills, or I can help
you. Writing your first set of KSAs is difficult. We can help.
The KSAs totally baffle me.
I am a scientist and I have never seen anything like this before. I do not know
how to write the KSAs, can you help me?
This is a writing task about
your knowledge, skills and abilities to do this job. It is a tedious and long
process, I agree, but if you want to work at NIH, you have to write this
application. This is like a test for the position. You should write at least
one good example that demonstrates each KSA. I know that you are highly
qualified for this position, but if you donÕt prepare the application for the
personnel staffing specialist, the hiring manager and senior scientist will
never see your application. This is an important part of the application that
has to be done. We can help you get it done.
I am an electronics
technician and I am not a good writer. How can I write KSAs when I donÕt write
anything.
I know that most electronics technicians donÕt write reports, narratives and other written documents, so writing KSAs is challenging. They want to read examples that demonstrate your KSAs in particular areas. I know this is difficult, but this is the process that is required. You need to get help with brainstorming about examples that will answer these KSAs. Can you find someone to help you understand what they need? If not, weÕre here to help you as well.