The following is provided to assist you in

responding to the KSAs

Read the general description of the duties and responsibilities, read the list of KSAs. Look for clues to help you draw from your past experiences the best example that matches what is required for the position.  For example, if one of the KSAs listed is "Ability to communicate in writing," look at the duties and responsibilities and determine what the job requires you to write.  If you can show specific past experience in writing the kinds of things required for the job, you would have a better chance of receiving a higher score on this particular KSA.

Write specific and detailed descriptions of your work experiences. Include answers to the following:

• An estimate of when the experience(s) was acquired.

• A description of the problem(s) you faced or the objectives(s) you were trying to accomplish.

• A specific statement of what you actually did.

• A description of the outcome or results of the activity.

• The name and telephone number of someone who can verify the information you provided. (This does not have to be a supervisor.)

The following is a sample response to "Ability to See the Big Picture."  This is an essential ability for the Organizational Analyst position.  This position requires the employee to focus on specific, detailed problems or tasks while remaining attuned to how the specific problem or task fits into the organization's goals.  In doing this, the employee must sometimes integrate different perspectives and incorporate them into the solution of a problem or the completion of a task.  The employee must also remain focused and not get side tracked by issues that are not relevant.

Sample KSA

KNOWLEDGE-SKILL-ABILITY

Please describe your experience(s) that show that you possess this knowledge, skill or ability.  Indicate where you gained this experience and how long you performed the task(s).  Include approximate month/year the experience/activity(s) occurred; statement of any problem(s) or objective(s); description of exactly what you did and general statement of what you accomplished.

KSA # 1: Ability to see the big picture.

From 1/90-5/90; I was a member of a seven person committee which was responsible for developing and organizing the Summer Festival at the local Youth Center.  The committee was scheduled to meet once a month for five consecutive months.  During those five meetings we had to plan, develop and organize the entire Summer Festival.  (This statement is a good summary of the problems and objectives of the situation.  It includes specific information and details about the situation, the participants, and the objectives to be accomplished. Sufficient detail is provided to allow the reader to understand what was going on.)

When individual members began discussing irrelevant issues, I would remind them why we were meeting and I was able to keep them on track the majority of the time.  During one particularly important meeting, I took control and redirected the group discussion to get it back on track so that we could get the job done.  I was also able to work the ideas and suggestions of each committee member into the overall plan for the Festival.  I did this by adapting their suggestions to fit into the general framework, which we had decided upon in an earlier meeting.  This was sometimes a difficult task because each committee member had a slightly different idea about what the best activities for a Summer Festival were.  (This statement describes exactly what you did.  It is both specific and to the point.  It provides several examples of specific behaviors that helped the group accomplish its goals.  It also describes the situation in sufficient detail to allow the reader to get a good sense of the difficulties involved in keeping the group on task.)

I was able to keep track of the overall objectives of the committee and to keep the discussions focused on those objectives.  As a result the committee was able to plan the entire Festival in only four meetings.  The Summer Festival was well attended and was considered a success by most members of the community.  (This statement contains a good summary of what was accomplished through the efforts described above.  The statement focuses on what you did, but also provides a description of the results of your behavior.)

Please provide names, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons who can verify the information contained above.  It is important to provide enough information so that they can be contacted.

Jane Q. Public (Committee Member)

555-555-5555