With the limited amount of time that is given to respond, it is very hard to do all of that. Short suspenses make it almost impossible to provide all of the paperwork that is required for a job announcement and on top of that answer all of the KSA questions. Some announcements have 14 or 15 KSAs! If there are more than five KSAs, I no longer bother applying. After spending hours answering the KSAs, some announcements are cancelled. I look carefully at the announcement and if they are asking too much, I just start looking at another announcement.
Writing Successful KSAs
Human Resource Assistant IRS Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:27 AM
I found this article very accurate and well written. If applicants were to follow these simple guidlines I believe more would rank higher in packages.
Re: Writing Successful KSAs
Analyst USDA Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:54 PM
Some job announcements only give 5 or 7 days to respond - what do you expect to get with such a short suspense? AND, don't even think about taking leave to work on KSAs! I can hear "leave abuse" being shouted!
Re: Writing Successful KSAs
Worker DOD Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:38 PM
Simple? I hardly think so! After years of answering KSA's
and, doing (on my own) almost exactly what the article
describes, I always wonder who REALLY reads and uses
these things to evaluate candidates.
ksa
retired retired Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:20 PM
what crap! the article means well and sells to the crowd that still think and believe that there is a fair hiring practice in place. but, the plain truth is, that there is not a fair and equal hiring practice. over the 30+ yr career, what I have seen, is that 95% of jobs are pre-selected and the whole application process is a joke. the whole ksa thing is just a way for mgt to place their candidate on the selection cert and avoid the appearance of not being a fair process. oh, and then let us throw into the mix, the need for a workforce that reflects the face of America. can't have a workforce in MT that doesn't reflect the population of LA.
you don't write ksa to get the job, you do so, so that some unknowing and unskilled personnel clerk can see all the buzz words and get your application on the cert for a job that the personnel clerk has no idea of what it is, or requires, or needs.
Re: ksa
Specalist US Marshals Fri Jan 12, 2007 8:54 AM
I agree, a majority of the time you have people looking over your application that may not be aware of the job requirements of the position your applying for.
After getting my foot in the door and having been apart of three different agencies, a majority of the time I have seen supervisors already have someone in there staff picked for the position, but has to go through the whole scheme of announcing the position inwhich you get all the outside people excited about applying when their not aware that someone has already been picked from within and they don't have a chance in hell and even if there a veteran. I think this was a great article, but getting into a government job is all about who you know and luck. I'm a veteran and I have a Masters and it took me over year. Only to have a friend with a BS get in before me because she had an aunt in human resources that got her in and at the same level as me with a Masters. I was pissed and still a little pissed.
Re: ksa
Analyst DOD Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:34 PM
Those outside excited people that have applied for the position are called "filler applicants". Supervision HAS to interview X amount of people before they can hand over the promotion to the hand picked pre-selected buddy.
Simple as that.
Re: ksa
QA Navy Tue Jul 7, 2009 8:02 AM
You hit the nail on the head. I have a Masters and have been stuck in the same position for fifteen years because of the buddy system. Another thing is if you are not retired military, you will not get selected. The boss is too busy creating a job for himself and his buddies.
Diversity
Administrative Support COE Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:18 AM
I agree that KSA's are an integral part of the selection process. But, I also think this process is an eliminator to potential applicants trying to get their foot in the door. It is hard to have a workforce that looks like America with the selecting officials being the majority and not the minority.
Here we go again
Program Analyst GSA Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:09 AM
No offense to anyone posting here but I have written KSA's for two promotions in the past 4 years and got them both...from outside the hiring agencies. While I agree some vacancies ask for too many and they are time consuming I did find that if you take the time to write them correctly you can frequently use them for other vacancies by making simple additions or re writes without reinventing the wheel.
For some of the "shotgun blast" negative comments posted above, maybe some of you have a reason to be bitter but why does this seem to be the trend so often on thses blogs? The grass is always greener somewhere else and working for the government is a rip off and sucks yet statistics show that very low numbers of federal employees want to give up their jobs even with as bad as they always complain they are. The whole redundant complaining is getting old. If it is this bad no one has you tied to your desk...at least not the last time I looked.
Re: Here we go again
HR Specialist Federal Agency Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:19 AM
I agree Prog Analyst about the negative comments and vibes from these blogs. All the whining and complaining does is make it appear that ALL federal workers are unhappy. Frankly, if people could see some of the awful applications submitted for jobs they'd have a better understanding that maybe they should pay someone to do it for them. I always like the applications for individuals seeking secretarial or clerical positions where typing and proofreading are required, yet their application packages are filled with mistakes.
Wake up whiners and complainers - take an honest look at yourselves and then tell me you have a reason to whine and complain. What you see in an honest look at yourself will more than likely be significantly different than what you think you are seeing.
Re: Here we go again
Federal Officer DHS Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:52 AM
Look at myself? OK, career federal officer, superior writing skills. Significant presentation experience to large diverse groups. Second highest or highest score on supervisory examination the past 5 years.
People selected. Brother in law's (2). College roomates (2) Hockey players (many). Bring in Adultery and DNA and you have the management staff in my office.
Whine and complain? Not in my world!
Re: Here we go again
Electronic Technician Postal Service Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:59 AM
Funny, I didn't really interpret the negatives as people not liking their jobs. I love the security and benefits of a goverment job. However the promotion process is exactly as described...a farse. I refer to it as the dumb-down effect. No manager I have seen in 16 years has hired anyone that was in a position to challenge his practices by virtue of experience or intelligence. In fact now that our most senior supervisor has far exceeded his boss he has been removed from day shift and replaced by a yes man. Without rambling about this I put it out there that the only fair way to promote from the KSA packages is to have them reviewed by an independent source without input from anyone in the promoting office....and that will never happen.
Re: Here we go again
Fed Federal Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:54 AM
To those who know for a fact that there is favoritism in selecting outside candidates- maybe your supervisors and managers are aware of you using government time to read/ post to articles like these.
It's great to get that govt paycheck and be able to spend your day "working" by staying on top of articles and replying to them. Of course, it would be better if you could get that promotion you so deserve so you can make even more money "working" by reading articles and posting to the interenet.
KSA's
Reformed Conservative DFAS Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:16 AM
I would like to see an article giving hints for writing KSA's for "keyword" hiring systems such as Resumix. Thanks!
use of KSAs
Paralegal Specialist SSA Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:22 AM
Having served on numerous rating and ranking panels, using KSAs saves time. Applications were reviewed to clarify points in the KSAs. Unfortunately, all to often, applications are merely regurgitation of the applicant's current job description. Without those KSAs, properly rating and ranking applicants is nearly impossible.
Anyone complaining about the time limits for submitting applications should prepare ahead of time. Look at current openings to get an idea of the type of KSAs required - AND START WRITING THEM NOW!!! You never know when the job you really want will show up. You have to be prepared.
Re: use of KSAs
Analyst USDA Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:03 AM
Give me a break - most of the time KSAs are NOT even read! I am NOT whining merely making a point. Believe me, I have been in some offices were people were pre-selected for positions. It happens all the time. Most jobs require you to know someone. It is not What you know - - but Who you know!
Re: use of KSAs
Misc SSA Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:31 AM
With 30 years of govt service, I have sat on a number of promotion panels and believe me, WE READ THE KSAs. While I agree many selecting officials already know who they want for the job, if that person doesn't write their KSAs correctly, they won't make the BQ and can't be selected (and I've seen it happen; someone slated for the job doesn't make the BQ most probably because of poor KSA descriptives). And in my agency, the promotion panel is made up of 1/2 bargaining unit employees and 1/2 non-bargaining unit employees so that bias is hopefully held in check because of that balance.
Re: use of KSAs
IT Specialist - GS12 SSA Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:49 AM
The problem with using KSA's is that they are not verified and certianly not challenged or reviewed by an individuals performance or so-called (what was in the KSA's) capabilities of said individual and the only bias, er ah basis is that that person knew someone or makes a bigger stink than the good employee.
So, no matter how many bargaining unit employees that person knew on the panel from having worked at the same location for over 20 years the end result is that they got the position over someone else that was and is more qualified to perform, based on past performance in the SAME agency, no doubt.
In fact, sometimes higher ranking management says pick employee X, you have an extra position, that we did not announce, give that person a raise, too.
These power plays are not challenged with the facts; but are simply more big government in action and the reason we are the way we are.
Very interested to hear your rationalization of that one.
KSA's
Secretary USDA, FSA Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:57 AM
With management doing so much pre-selection these days, you know its time to move on. I have worked very hard on my recent application submissions, been notified I made the referral lists and then wait, wait, wait. My only thought is -management can't get to the person the want on the referral list. Most recently, I waited 5 months after being notified I made the refeerral list only to receive an e-mail that said - "the office with this vacancy either decided not to fill the position at this time, has made a selection from another referral list or a selection was made under another hiring authority". Which is it? In the meantime, management has "their person" in the new position.
KSA's
Admin Assistant DOD Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:00 AM
While I understand and agree that KSA's are necessary to the hiring process, it has been my experience that most jobs are pre-selected. Posting the job announcement is a formality. I work in a office where an employee was promoted and hadn't worked an entire week in over a year! Of course they are very close to the supervisor. I've sumitted applications for numerous jobs and have yet to make the selection list. I guess I will keep trying.
Selective fators
Asst. IHC Supt. USFS Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:57 AM
This is not a bad refresher as to what to, or not to, include in your KSA's. However, you can write up the best KSA in the world and not have it read if the "Selective Factors" are used. What I am talking about is the silly boxes that proceed the KSA box in which you must check the statement that best reflects your abilitys. These statements are very subjective and often do not clearly state their purpose. If you do not select the highest options (good luck), you are not a "quality" candidate and will not make the final Certification. This is an area in AVUE that needs to be corrected immediately!
KSAs - Internal Vs. External
Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations) Department of Treasury Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:23 PM
The article provides useful information but it is misleading to asume that great KSAs will ensure success. As a fairly new employee in my agency some years ago, I applied for the same job internally and externally. The internal hiring process focused on one's evaluation as a measurement of what one had to offer; the external assessed the educational background and experience evident in the KSAs. Although I was already an employee of the agency, I obtained the external job, not the internal (when I applied for both, many senior employees informed me that I was wasting my time). As long as we have a subjective evaluation system and personal bias in supervisor's assessements of performance that are weighed more heavily than one's potential and the proper fit with the proper skills, KSAs will not be the primary means of selection. Writing good KSAs helps immeasurably if one applies externally and what one can contribute is weighed as being as significant as what one has contributed.
KSAs
Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations) Department of Treasury Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:51 PM
As support for the author's point, an employee detailed to a technical customer servic position in our agency was advised that his position was opened as permanent job announcement and was advised to reply. The employee had great people skills, an essential component of the job, but poor writing skills. He was offered assistance with his application and refused. Because his KSAs were poorly written, he neither was best qualified nor selected, and returned to his prior position. Any advice on writing effective KSAs is beneficial.
Writing Successful KSAs
Transportation Planner U.S. DOT/Federal Transit Administration Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:10 PM
Knowing how to apply for federal jobs and having knowledge and understanding of the importance of completing the KSAs noted in the job announcement are key efforts to landing the federal job. The KSAs are the selling points for getting across to the agency's application reviewers and the selection committee, what you have to offer or bring to the job, and including your expections of becoming employed in the job or position under consideration. In other words, the KSAs are the applicant's self-marketing selling points to show how 'you' stand out from other job applicants, to land the federal job.
KSA'S
SUPPLY TECH DOD Thu Feb 1, 2007 2:35 PM
What is so hard that every applicant cannot be submitted to the person who's actually doing the interview? Let that person be the one to decide who's best qualified for the position. (yeah, favoritism will always be part of any job) It's BS that we have to use "buzzwords" when most of us already qualify but don't have the proper "words". The system definitely needs an major overhaul !!
reply to Misc SSA
Computer Specialist DOD Fri Feb 2, 2007 9:47 AM
To Misc SSA If the person the selecting official wants doesn't make the panel then the panel is cancelled and the annoucement is put back out again. I have seen this happen over and over again in my 32 years of service. Then the selecting official goes to the person and tell them what to write to so that they can make the panel.
KSA's
TE SSA Fri Feb 9, 2007 10:05 AM
I cannot speak for other agencies, but at SSA, KSA's are not reviewed as much as one is led to believe. I have saved set answers to different KSA's and 'cut & paste' these answers to any applications for a position in which I am interested. I have always made the 'well qualified' lists but, as stated in other comments, if the right person does not make the list, the vacancy is cancelled and reposted at a later date.
Hiring
Inventory Control Manager MdTA Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:16 AM
I must admit that I have carfully filled out each and every KSA for each job I have applied for. I make the BQ list and the job is either cancled, changed, or the latest one I was told was that if too many people are qualified for a possition that they are chosen by the last number of there social security number. So I have to wonder if KSA's are being used they way they are ment to be. I applied for a few possitions which I know I was quilified for and was told so via email but did not make the BQ list. I called and was told that even though I had the quilifications that I was not selected because of the aformentioned statement. I think it is uncomprehesible that we are using a roll of the dice to hire people without at least giving them a chance to dazzle the pannel
Employment Today in the Federal Government
Information Technology Specialist Department of Commerce Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:08 AM
Having read your article, the idea of applying for a job appears simpler than anticipated. However, today's market for employees is about 5% of open jobs while 95% are already filled before being announced. Regardless of what the law states, most agencies bend over backwards to hire those who meet their agendas and are easy to control. Isn't it about time that people hire the best candidate instead of best friend while adding to outright cronyism in the workplace. Even knowing that a lawsuit will result management continues status quo. Simply put, if the best are not chosen for the job and they're chosen for other reasons such as being able to control the situation, our government may just go by the wayside just as Rome did and many countries like it. By not choosing the best qualified, America cannot endure the upcoming consequencies resulting from the peek in oil. New and innovative ideas especially in efficiencies need to be realized but want because of cronyism in hiring.
So, from what I've been reading so far, it appears to be pretty pointless for me to apply for any positions with the Federal Government. Darn! I guess I'll just have to settle for working at the Lottery a little bit longer. The only thing that is keeping me there is the 100% family medical benefits.
Writing KSA's Using the STAR Method
Paralegal Specialist USPS Fri Jan 2, 2009 9:54 AM
We are encouraged/required to respond using the STAR Method. STAR stands for Situation/Task, Action and Result. We cite the specific situation or task that required the knowledge, skill or ability, tell what action we took -- demonstrating possession of the requisite KSA's -- and the result.
grammar/spelling first paragraph/edit
program assistant HUD Wed May 13, 2009 3:41 PM
In the first paragraph, "an effect answer" should be "an effective answer".
This article is really good information to know.
Thank you.
Another Important Selection Factor
Program Assistant HUD Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:43 PM
I believe that while the article does reinforce the basics of writing your KSAs, as stated by many responses to this article, that does not equate to selection. One point that I saw as I was reading the comments was some people seem to think that it is a piece of cake if you are applying internally and almost impossible if you are external to the agency and trying to get in. I have found, especially lately (with the big push for "new blood") exactly the opposite. No matter how you write your KSAs there is some one out there with a degree in english (or basket weaving) that once their education and experience, or lack there of, is added together - their points total will advance them to the BQ list. Meanwhile, some one on the inside trying to move up, with program experience, does not get the opportunity to advance. With the economic situation that we are dealing with today, there are a lot of gov't partners and contractors or former contractors that are applying for gov't jobs too.
I had just started with the federal gov't when KSAs came into existance. The first ones that I did were relativley short. After I turned in my application for a year long register for promotion the other candidates talked about how they responded to the KSAs. Some people wrote 15 plus pages for 4-5 KSAs. The next year I increased what I wrote. I had 1-2 pgs for each KSA for work experience and another page for my educational experience.This was before computers, therefore each KSA had to be typed separately.This took over my life for over a week.I really don't think the person who is interviewing you or is the selecting offical reads the KSAs or the application. I had a telephone interview in the early stages of my career. I was asked a question in which the answer was right on the application. I made a comment about that because I didn't know how much they wanted to know over and above what was on the application. I was told that they did not have the application and had not read it.
KSA's
USDA
Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:03 AM
With the limited amount of time that is given to respond, it is very hard to do all of that. Short suspenses make it almost impossible to provide all of the paperwork that is required for a job announcement and on top of that answer all of the KSA questions. Some announcements have 14 or 15 KSAs! If there are more than five KSAs, I no longer bother applying. After spending hours answering the KSAs, some announcements are cancelled. I look carefully at the announcement and if they are asking too much, I just start looking at another announcement.
Writing Successful KSAs
IRS
Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:27 AM
I found this article very accurate and well written. If applicants were to follow these simple guidlines I believe more would rank higher in packages.
Re: Writing Successful KSAs
USDA
Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:54 PM
Re: Writing Successful KSAs
DOD
Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:38 PM
and, doing (on my own) almost exactly what the article
describes, I always wonder who REALLY reads and uses
these things to evaluate candidates.
ksa
retired
Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:20 PM
what crap! the article means well and sells to the crowd that still think and believe that there is a fair hiring practice in place. but, the plain truth is, that there is not a fair and equal hiring practice. over the 30+ yr career, what I have seen, is that 95% of jobs are pre-selected and the whole application process is a joke. the whole ksa thing is just a way for mgt to place their candidate on the selection cert and avoid the appearance of not being a fair process. oh, and then let us throw into the mix, the need for a workforce that reflects the face of America. can't have a workforce in MT that doesn't reflect the population of LA.
you don't write ksa to get the job, you do so, so that some unknowing and unskilled personnel clerk can see all the buzz words and get your application on the cert for a job that the personnel clerk has no idea of what it is, or requires, or needs.
Re: ksa
US Marshals
Fri Jan 12, 2007 8:54 AM
After getting my foot in the door and having been apart of three different agencies, a majority of the time I have seen supervisors already have someone in there staff picked for the position, but has to go through the whole scheme of announcing the position inwhich you get all the outside people excited about applying when their not aware that someone has already been picked from within and they don't have a chance in hell and even if there a veteran. I think this was a great article, but getting into a government job is all about who you know and luck. I'm a veteran and I have a Masters and it took me over year. Only to have a friend with a BS get in before me because she had an aunt in human resources that got her in and at the same level as me with a Masters. I was pissed and still a little pissed.
Re: ksa
DOD
Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:34 PM
Simple as that.
Re: ksa
Navy
Tue Jul 7, 2009 8:02 AM
Diversity
COE
Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:18 AM
I agree that KSA's are an integral part of the selection process. But, I also think this process is an eliminator to potential applicants trying to get their foot in the door. It is hard to have a workforce that looks like America with the selecting officials being the majority and not the minority.
Here we go again
GSA
Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:09 AM
No offense to anyone posting here but I have written KSA's for two promotions in the past 4 years and got them both...from outside the hiring agencies. While I agree some vacancies ask for too many and they are time consuming I did find that if you take the time to write them correctly you can frequently use them for other vacancies by making simple additions or re writes without reinventing the wheel.
For some of the "shotgun blast" negative comments posted above, maybe some of you have a reason to be bitter but why does this seem to be the trend so often on thses blogs? The grass is always greener somewhere else and working for the government is a rip off and sucks yet statistics show that very low numbers of federal employees want to give up their jobs even with as bad as they always complain they are. The whole redundant complaining is getting old. If it is this bad no one has you tied to your desk...at least not the last time I looked.
Re: Here we go again
Federal Agency
Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:19 AM
Wake up whiners and complainers - take an honest look at yourselves and then tell me you have a reason to whine and complain. What you see in an honest look at yourself will more than likely be significantly different than what you think you are seeing.
Re: Here we go again
DHS
Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:52 AM
People selected. Brother in law's (2). College roomates (2) Hockey players (many). Bring in Adultery and DNA and you have the management staff in my office.
Whine and complain? Not in my world!
Re: Here we go again
Postal Service
Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:59 AM
Re: Here we go again
Federal
Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:54 AM
It's great to get that govt paycheck and be able to spend your day "working" by staying on top of articles and replying to them. Of course, it would be better if you could get that promotion you so deserve so you can make even more money "working" by reading articles and posting to the interenet.
KSA's
DFAS
Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:16 AM
I would like to see an article giving hints for writing KSA's for "keyword" hiring systems such as Resumix. Thanks!
use of KSAs
SSA
Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:22 AM
Having served on numerous rating and ranking panels, using KSAs saves time. Applications were reviewed to clarify points in the KSAs. Unfortunately, all to often, applications are merely regurgitation of the applicant's current job description. Without those KSAs, properly rating and ranking applicants is nearly impossible.
Anyone complaining about the time limits for submitting applications should prepare ahead of time. Look at current openings to get an idea of the type of KSAs required - AND START WRITING THEM NOW!!! You never know when the job you really want will show up. You have to be prepared.
Re: use of KSAs
USDA
Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:03 AM
Re: use of KSAs
SSA
Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:31 AM
Re: use of KSAs
SSA
Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:49 AM
So, no matter how many bargaining unit employees that person knew on the panel from having worked at the same location for over 20 years the end result is that they got the position over someone else that was and is more qualified to perform, based on past performance in the SAME agency, no doubt.
In fact, sometimes higher ranking management says pick employee X, you have an extra position, that we did not announce, give that person a raise, too.
These power plays are not challenged with the facts; but are simply more big government in action and the reason we are the way we are.
Very interested to hear your rationalization of that one.
KSA's
USDA, FSA
Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:57 AM
With management doing so much pre-selection these days, you know its time to move on. I have worked very hard on my recent application submissions, been notified I made the referral lists and then wait, wait, wait. My only thought is -management can't get to the person the want on the referral list. Most recently, I waited 5 months after being notified I made the refeerral list only to receive an e-mail that said - "the office with this vacancy either decided not to fill the position at this time, has made a selection from another referral list or a selection was made under another hiring authority". Which is it? In the meantime, management has "their person" in the new position.
KSA's
DOD
Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:00 AM
While I understand and agree that KSA's are necessary to the hiring process, it has been my experience that most jobs are pre-selected. Posting the job announcement is a formality. I work in a office where an employee was promoted and hadn't worked an entire week in over a year! Of course they are very close to the supervisor. I've sumitted applications for numerous jobs and have yet to make the selection list. I guess I will keep trying.
Selective fators
USFS
Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:57 AM
This is not a bad refresher as to what to, or not to, include in your KSA's. However, you can write up the best KSA in the world and not have it read if the "Selective Factors" are used. What I am talking about is the silly boxes that proceed the KSA box in which you must check the statement that best reflects your abilitys. These statements are very subjective and often do not clearly state their purpose. If you do not select the highest options (good luck), you are not a "quality" candidate and will not make the final Certification. This is an area in AVUE that needs to be corrected immediately!
KSAs - Internal Vs. External
Department of Treasury
Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:23 PM
The article provides useful information but it is misleading to asume that great KSAs will ensure success. As a fairly new employee in my agency some years ago, I applied for the same job internally and externally. The internal hiring process focused on one's evaluation as a measurement of what one had to offer; the external assessed the educational background and experience evident in the KSAs. Although I was already an employee of the agency, I obtained the external job, not the internal (when I applied for both, many senior employees informed me that I was wasting my time). As long as we have a subjective evaluation system and personal bias in supervisor's assessements of performance that are weighed more heavily than one's potential and the proper fit with the proper skills, KSAs will not be the primary means of selection. Writing good KSAs helps immeasurably if one applies externally and what one can contribute is weighed as being as significant as what one has contributed.
KSAs
Department of Treasury
Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:51 PM
As support for the author's point, an employee detailed to a technical customer servic position in our agency was advised that his position was opened as permanent job announcement and was advised to reply. The employee had great people skills, an essential component of the job, but poor writing skills. He was offered assistance with his application and refused. Because his KSAs were poorly written, he neither was best qualified nor selected, and returned to his prior position. Any advice on writing effective KSAs is beneficial.
Writing Successful KSAs
U.S. DOT/Federal Transit Administration
Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:10 PM
Knowing how to apply for federal jobs and having knowledge and understanding of the importance of completing the KSAs noted in the job announcement are key efforts to landing the federal job. The KSAs are the selling points for getting across to the agency's application reviewers and the selection committee, what you have to offer or bring to the job, and including your expections of becoming employed in the job or position under consideration. In other words, the KSAs are the applicant's self-marketing selling points to show how 'you' stand out from other job applicants, to land the federal job.
KSA'S
DOD
Thu Feb 1, 2007 2:35 PM
What is so hard that every applicant cannot be submitted to the person who's actually doing the interview? Let that person be the one to decide who's best qualified for the position. (yeah, favoritism will always be part of any job) It's BS that we have to use "buzzwords" when most of us already qualify but don't have the proper "words". The system definitely needs an major overhaul !!
reply to Misc SSA
DOD
Fri Feb 2, 2007 9:47 AM
To Misc SSA If the person the selecting official wants doesn't make the panel then the panel is cancelled and the annoucement is put back out again. I have seen this happen over and over again in my 32 years of service. Then the selecting official goes to the person and tell them what to write to so that they can make the panel.
KSA's
SSA
Fri Feb 9, 2007 10:05 AM
I cannot speak for other agencies, but at SSA, KSA's are not reviewed as much as one is led to believe. I have saved set answers to different KSA's and 'cut & paste' these answers to any applications for a position in which I am interested. I have always made the 'well qualified' lists but, as stated in other comments, if the right person does not make the list, the vacancy is cancelled and reposted at a later date.
Hiring
MdTA
Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:16 AM
I must admit that I have carfully filled out each and every KSA for each job I have applied for. I make the BQ list and the job is either cancled, changed, or the latest one I was told was that if too many people are qualified for a possition that they are chosen by the last number of there social security number. So I have to wonder if KSA's are being used they way they are ment to be. I applied for a few possitions which I know I was quilified for and was told so via email but did not make the BQ list. I called and was told that even though I had the quilifications that I was not selected because of the aformentioned statement. I think it is uncomprehesible that we are using a roll of the dice to hire people without at least giving them a chance to dazzle the pannel
Employment Today in the Federal Government
Department of Commerce
Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:08 AM
Having read your article, the idea of applying for a job appears simpler than anticipated. However, today's market for employees is about 5% of open jobs while 95% are already filled before being announced. Regardless of what the law states, most agencies bend over backwards to hire those who meet their agendas and are easy to control. Isn't it about time that people hire the best candidate instead of best friend while adding to outright cronyism in the workplace. Even knowing that a lawsuit will result management continues status quo. Simply put, if the best are not chosen for the job and they're chosen for other reasons such as being able to control the situation, our government may just go by the wayside just as Rome did and many countries like it. By not choosing the best qualified, America cannot endure the upcoming consequencies resulting from the peek in oil. New and innovative ideas especially in efficiencies need to be realized but want because of cronyism in hiring.
key buzzwords
HUD
Fri Sep 5, 2008 12:49 PM
Can you provide us with a list of buzzwords to insert in our narrative job experience?
Thank you.
Pretty Pointless
Florida Lottery
Wed Dec 3, 2008 9:13 PM
So, from what I've been reading so far, it appears to be pretty pointless for me to apply for any positions with the Federal Government. Darn! I guess I'll just have to settle for working at the Lottery a little bit longer. The only thing that is keeping me there is the 100% family medical benefits.
Writing KSA's Using the STAR Method
USPS
Fri Jan 2, 2009 9:54 AM
We are encouraged/required to respond using the STAR Method. STAR stands for Situation/Task, Action and Result. We cite the specific situation or task that required the knowledge, skill or ability, tell what action we took -- demonstrating possession of the requisite KSA's -- and the result.
grammar/spelling first paragraph/edit
HUD
Wed May 13, 2009 3:41 PM
In the first paragraph, "an effect answer" should be "an effective answer".
This article is really good information to know.
Thank you.
Another Important Selection Factor
HUD
Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:43 PM
I believe that while the article does reinforce the basics of writing your KSAs, as stated by many responses to this article, that does not equate to selection. One point that I saw as I was reading the comments was some people seem to think that it is a piece of cake if you are applying internally and almost impossible if you are external to the agency and trying to get in. I have found, especially lately (with the big push for "new blood") exactly the opposite. No matter how you write your KSAs there is some one out there with a degree in english (or basket weaving) that once their education and experience, or lack there of, is added together - their points total will advance them to the BQ list. Meanwhile, some one on the inside trying to move up, with program experience, does not get the opportunity to advance. With the economic situation that we are dealing with today, there are a lot of gov't partners and contractors or former contractors that are applying for gov't jobs too.
KSAs
DCMA
Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:46 PM
I had just started with the federal gov't when KSAs came into existance. The first ones that I did were relativley short. After I turned in my application for a year long register for promotion the other candidates talked about how they responded to the KSAs. Some people wrote 15 plus pages for 4-5 KSAs. The next year I increased what I wrote. I had 1-2 pgs for each KSA for work experience and another page for my educational experience.This was before computers, therefore each KSA had to be typed separately.This took over my life for over a week.I really don't think the person who is interviewing you or is the selecting offical reads the KSAs or the application. I had a telephone interview in the early stages of my career. I was asked a question in which the answer was right on the application. I made a comment about that because I didn't know how much they wanted to know over and above what was on the application. I was told that they did not have the application and had not read it.