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KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Statements)

Where do KSA’s belong? The New Method, a KSA Driven Resume

Some agencies still use KSA questions but for the most part they have been replaced with the focus on the resume containing the elements of knowledge, skills, and abilities. In other words, the resume shoulders the burden of responsibility. They want to see clear, concise evidence in your resume to support the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position.

The KSA’s in the resume will also be cross referenced to the online assessment questionnaire to validate your responses to the questions. You could be eliminated from consideration if the support is not there in your resume to the answers in the questionnaire.

KSAs are also known as:

– Supplemental Narrative Statements
– Executive Core Qualifications
– Selective Factors
– Selective Placement Factors
– Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and other Characteristics
– Evaluation Criteria
– Professional/Technical Qualifications

KSA’s used to Qualify Applicants

KSA’s or Quality Ranking Factors are used by agencies to rank applicants with higher proficiency levels above those with lower proficiency levels. The other dynamic is the results and accomplishments you achieved at the job. While the human resources want to see qualifications and skills for the position, the hiring managers want to see accomplishments also so the resume has to pass screening factors at different levels of the organization. It is important to answer the questions at the highest level and showcase your skills.

The Importance of KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) in the Federal Application Process

Don’t make the assumption that reviewers will infer information from your application package and jobs you held. KSA’s can’t be ignored. Make sure the knowledge, skills, and abilities get to the point, are specific, and use examples as best as possible. It is best to quantify that information with the CCAR (Challenge-Context-Action-Result) model.

We eliminate the guess work that you may have on federal resumes and our writers our federal content and keyword writing experts that target the series you are applying for and the job announcement you are interested in. We help build careers in the U.S. government where you will yield a return on investment.

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