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 homeowner’s 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 it’s possible the favored candidate’s resume
and KSAs are not competitive and the personnel staff do not approve their application.
Or it’s possible the favored candidate’s spouse is relocated and they
move away. Or anything can happen. You should still apply. Tell the hiring manager
you exist and you’re waiting for an opening.
Is it worthwhile to apply for a job when I can’t
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 can’t understand the KSA at all? What
should I do? Fake it, call the personnel office?
If you don’t 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 it’s possible they selected the wrong KSAs for the announcement.
It’s 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 it’s 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, it’s 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 can’t think of anything to write for KSAs. I don’t
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 don’t
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 don’t write anything.
I know that most electronics technicians don’t 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, we’re here to help you as
well.
