The foremost purpose of writing great KSAs is to distinguish YOU as the candidate who fulfills most or all of the desired qualifications; stating your experience using descriptive words that characterize who you are thusly enticing the reader to continue reading. Below is a list of descriptive words you can use to succinctly characterize who you are and set yourself apart from other qualified candidates. Remember, how you market yourself in your KSAs is fundamental to being selected as a best qualified candidate and being referred to the selecting official.

These are just a few examples of some of the great verbiage you can incorporate into your KSAs transforming something ordinary into something extraordinary. For more ideas, consider adding a thesaurus to your personal library. Not only will you be developing and writing great KSAs, you’ll also expand upon your own verbal communicative vernacular, another highly desirable skill.

The excerpts below are examples of some great KSAs that landed each of the four different candidates on the “best qualified” list referred to the selecting official. Feel free to use these as a guide as you develop your own great KSAs. Or if you need help or advice, you can contact me though my contact form.

Application of specialized knowledge of laws, procedures, practices, relevant to managing and executing programs in an operational environment

…Served eight and one half years in the US Army and was honorably discharged at the rank of SSG/E-6. During my service, I was stationed in Korea and was selected and trained as a Korean Linguist. I was responsible for leading teams of soldiers to secret high ground communications outposts and in charge of monitoring, interpreting, and reporting South Korean communications and intelligence activity. The work our team conducted was highly classified and was an essential component to intelligence gathering and served as an important element in effectively ensuring the security of the United States and its allied forces. Upon my return to the United States from my tour of duty in Korea I was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. I was assigned the responsibility of establishing a language maintenance program for the returning linguists which enabled and assisted them in maintaining their proficiency of the Korean language and the various dialects.

I was also responsible for document control on all classified material at our company, the 335 ASA Company. This assignment required highly specialized knowledge of not only the Korean language, but also an extensive knowledge of all the applicable international laws regarding such, and an in-depth understanding of reporting top secret military intelligence through appropriate mechanisms and established protocols.
I am also a retired Police Lieutenant with twenty years of investigative experience. For more than half of my career in law enforcement I served as a Sergeant and Lieutenant. I participated in numerous management training sessions during my tenure including a four week Police Management Program held at Babson Business College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. I have had extensive training in constitutional law and civil liability. I have evaluated and trained police officers on proper police procedures and served as Criminal Investigative Supervisory Lead in notable homicide investigations, robberies, and other high profile investigations. I was also responsible for the management of two Sergeants and twenty patrolmen within my command. I ensured and monitored on-going training both in the classroom and on-the-job and ensured strict adherence to all applicable Federal, State, and Municipal Laws…

Ability to communicate orally and in writing to provide advice and guidance to co-workers and other employees and to coordinate work initiatives with external customers

…A skilled and experienced professional in the presentation complex technical and organizational information, I am also well versed in media relations and facilitating group meetings. I have presented to diverse groups and audiences in community forums, formal and informal training sessions, and executive level meetings. Most of my expertise lies in the presentation of complex analytical and abstract reports. I am adept and well versed in composing a variety of documents, letters, memoranda, reports, and documentation to provide guidance and direction on technical issues, business rules and practices, human resource and confidentiality issues, and other varied business circumstances.

I was personally requested by the owner of a large vacation/resort management company, to conduct and present an operational analysis of the Sales and Marketing departments of the company. I assumed the lead position and worked closely with the Internal Auditor and corporate CPA to collect data and analyze operational workflow, data validity, reporting methods, training standards, and current system and manual processes. Upon completion of the analysis, I presented a lengthy oral presentation and substantive written summary of our recommendations to the owner and executive staff, which ultimately resulted in the development and implementation of multiple new management information systems.

I have planned and coordinated work initiatives with internal employees and external vendors. One specific example was a large and complex equipment relocation of a remote telemarking office. The move encompassed the reconfiguration of more than 200 personal computers, telephony equipment, T1 lines, and two multiplatform predictive dialing systems. The entire project was completed ahead of schedule without any interruption in service and had no effect on regular business operations…

Ability to handle pressure and stress in a dynamic and changing environment

…I have successfully worked under strict timelines in management, development, and implementation throughout my career as an IT professional. I have produced some of my best work operating under enormous pressure. I am a highly organized individual and have successfully managed numerous complex projects requiring the intricate management of both people and timelines and received praise for my demonstrated proficiency in the mastery of new complex information and human relations. I have effectively implemented numerous projects ahead of schedule, and free from error.

Some detailed examples of unexpected or stressful situations would include system glitches and failures, which require rapid and proficient interpretation and evaluation. Often, these processes are large in complexity and dimension. As a regular part of my job, I was required to reverse-engineer processes, both functional and non-functional, quickly and effectively to ensure continuous and smooth business operations. One notable example was a complete systems failure inadvertently discovered by the Vice President of the company. He was missing data from one of his morning reports and was requesting IT assistance via the corporate intercom system. I was in the office and quickly began investigating the failure, discovered the issue and attempted to initiate the process manually, however, that proved unsuccessful. I had less than 30 minutes to reverse-engineer and through process-of-elimination, determine and correct the problem. I was successful and had the department up and running a few minutes before operations’ were to commence…

Please briefly provide an example of your customer service skills

…An example of my professionalism and commitment to customer service was one particular woman who had made her way through a very busy checkpoint only to find out that she had prohibited liquids exceeding both the maximum allowable size and carry-on quantities. She was already frustrated as she was running late for her flight. I explained to her the necessity for conducting a bag search and that it appeared that she did have numerous prohibited liquids inside her bag. She ranted for a bit about how ridiculous this policy was and that she paid a lot of money for her items. I took it upon myself to calm her down and re-explained the policy and showed her what she needed to do with her items when she travels. I listened to her concerns and helped her pack her smaller non-prohibited liquids into a small quart size plastic bag that was permissible for carry-on. As we worked together to correct the problem, she explained that her exasperation with the checkpoint and being late was of her own doing. After we conversed and worked together to separate her items, I escorted her to the exit with all her property and the bag she decided to check with the airline. In the end, she was calm and apologetic and thanked me for my patience and professionalism in handling her concerns and complaints.

Situations like this are a daily occurrence at the checkpoint and can become frustrating if we as officers lose our patience and compassion for our passengers. I pride myself on being professional and courteous no matter how many times I am required to explain procedures. I am also attuned to the circumstances surrounding each situation and handle each situation according to the needs of the particular individual. I meet people where they are, and strive to help them develop a better understanding of our mission at TSA and our concern for not only their safety but for the safety of everyone who travels…

These are just a few examples of how to write great KSAs if you are seeking a career in the federal service. Writing is a skill that you too can develop over time. This site is a great place to get some advice about writing and to help you develop your own unique writing style. I can also help you prepare your KSAs and give you some advice on how to get not only on the “best qualified” list, but I can also help you with what happens during the interview process. See my contact page if you would like some help with writing your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities statements for Federal employment. In my book I offer 4 Free KSA Samples , click the banner below

If you are considering a career in the Federal Government keep in mind, one of, if not the most critical component to getting your foot in the door, is writing your Knowledge, Skills, and Ability statements. Have no doubt; writing great KSAs is an exercise in writing, one that can be dauntingly laborious and arduous if you go at it with the wrong mindset. I like to think of writing great KSAs as an opportunity to sell you better than anyone else could ever do! Who knows more about you than YOU!

When it comes right down to it, KSAs are really just essays about you, nothing more. Your particular KSAs will be a collection of half-page to full-page, focused narratives, or essays, you include in your application package that highlight your particular knowledge, skills, and abilities on the selection criterion or factors desired within the vacancy announcement.

Great KSAs give specific examples of your paid and non-paid work experience, education, training, awards, and other honors you may have had. One area I see many people fail to focus on is their volunteerism. I have seen clients who haven’t worked for several years turn experience and training with their local PTAs into valuable, highly desirable experience. I’ve known women who while staying at home with their families, develop highly desirable skills through their devotion to their children’s education by volunteering at their schools PTA, participating in local and county level PTA activities, and by volunteering in their community churches and hospitals helping people who are sick, dying or incapacitated.

So be creative and resourceful as you ponder your own non-paid experience. My own son volunteers on a regular basis as part of his high school graduation requirements. He will be able to use those valuable and diverse experiences he is gaining throughout High School on his first resume as compelling relevant experience.

Remember, as you write your KSAs they are specifically written to support each area of knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the vacancy announcement. Generally there are four to six KSAs required for each application. Sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the vacancy and unlike your resume, they are written in the first person. (I.E. I did this or that…)

Another point to remember is that first-level Human Resource professionals grade or “rate” your KSAs. They use a ranking system for each KSA statement. Your statements can range from superior to not acceptable, or may even be assigned a numerical score. There is no real rule of thumb as the rating systems vary from one job to the next. You will not know which of the KSAs you submit will be the ones the hiring managers consider to be the most important, that’s why you want to ensure that your have put your best foot forward in every KSA you write.

So, now you are ready to write your KSAs for the job you’ve just found in which you know YOU are the perfect candidate. You start thinking about your background and suddenly you say to yourself, what they heck is the delineation between my knowledge, skills, and abilities?

To help you understand, here is how the government defines each of these terms:

• Knowledge: An organized body of information, usually of a factual or procedural nature, which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible.
• Skills: The proficient manual, verbal, or mental manipulation of data, people, or things. Observable, quantifiable and measurable.
• Abilities: The power to perform an activity at the present time. Implied is a lack of discernable barriers, either physical or mental, to performing the activity.

By these definitions, grammar and spelling are areas of knowledge. Bodies of information the applicant needs to perform a job, such as writing, editing, or proofreading. Typing is a skill. Measurable and quantifiable in terms of words typed per minute. On the other side in qualified terms, being able to maintain your composure in tense or stressful situations is ability. Here you are talking about a person’s ability to manage stress and do his/her job well while under pressure.

Now you know what KSAs are and how the government defines each of the terms. Here are seven rules you should always follow, every time you write a KSA.

1. Give at least one or two good examples per KSA and remember don’t speak in generalities. Present very specific details about what you did and the results you achieved.
2. Use different examples in each of your KSAs. Try not to repeat examples unless you can use the same example to highlight a different aspect of your experience.
3. Fill each KSA with solid information. Do not pad your KSAs with superfluous words and phrases
4. Write in the first person. Remember, you are talking about yourself and write in complete, well-structured sentences. Draw material for your KSAs from all aspects of your life and remember to consider volunteerism and other unpaid experiences.
5. Don’t use Acronyms. Spell everything out. The government loves to use Acronyms but doesn’t necessarily understand your particular acronym acumen.
6. Quantify your results. Again, you don’t want to speak in general terms, if you saved your company money by implementing a policy, procedure, a new way of doing something, state how much. Be specific. Don’t say I type fast when you can type 85 words per minute. Say so!
7. Proofread, proofread, and proofread some more. No matter how many times spell checker tells you your document is free of spelling errors, proofread your KSAs. I have found typos and incorrect word usage in so many of the KSAs I have proofread. Be careful and ensure you have no errors by having someone else take a look at your finished product.

Remember, anything worth doing is worth doing well. If you are seeking federal employment and desire a job that is both rewarding and worthwhile, spend the time writing your KSAs, they are going to be the determining factor in whether you make it to the all important “best qualified” list that gets sent to the hiring official..