Government KSA Writing 101 for Federal Jobs
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Write A Great Government KSA Essay
Applying for a government job is not as easy as simply pressing the submit button with your resume attached to the email. For federal employment, you are required to write a series of essays to accompany each resume and job posting. Called the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA), these are a series of questions that the federal agency is looking to probe you about. Think of these questions as pre-interview questions. While people think there is a magic formula and a "catch all" way to write these, they are wrong. There are strategies; however, to help you get highly ranked and land a job opportunity in a more surefire manner.
Tips for Writing a Successful Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA)
Here is a list of tips for mastering the KSA Writing Cycle
The first thing you need to realize is that throughout the job description there are buzz words - those are the keywords you must integrate in the KSA.
You need to address every one of the qualifying factors explicitly. For example, if the qualifying factor states: " You must have at least one year experience teaching in a K-12 classroom", you need to demonstrate through your experience with details how you did it. Don't just say, I did this and I am experienced. You need to show it - not just tell about it.
A good KSA is three to four paragraphs long per question. In the question, you need to throw in the key terms in every 2-3 sentences. It does not mean you need to explain every sentence. For example, if the question states - what is your experience with relational databases. Your responses could potentially be, "As a contractor for ABC Company, I was responsible for three relational database platforms: Microsoft SQL Server 2005, the Oracle 11g platform, and a MySQL instance that ran a PHP based application for the customer service department." You just stated your credentials while throwing in the key term "relational database." Now, explain what you did with each of those database platforms - or the key accomplishment.
Write your essay with flair but don't make it too sophisticated. If a fifth grader can't read it, then its too complex.
The essay should reflect your experience but don't repeat the same experience for each essay.
Always use active voice to write.
Never tell the government how you want to change the world in the KSA. The KSA is to reflect your existing Knowledge, Skills and Abilities not the future. This is a huge turnoff.
Phrase things with intrigue. For example, a person who tells every detail of every bullet in their resume leaves themselves open to the government not wanting to interview them because it will seem as if they either are too experienced or are a "know-it-all." That is not good! State enough information so that you can get in the door and reflect your experience.
Finally, no one hates a poorly written writing sample as much as the government does. This speaks about your ability to communicate effectively; therefore, write well and articulate your points quickly.
The first thing you need to realize is that throughout the job description there are buzz words - those are the keywords you must integrate in the KSA.
You need to address every one of the qualifying factors explicitly. For example, if the qualifying factor states: " You must have at least one year experience teaching in a K-12 classroom", you need to demonstrate through your experience with details how you did it. Don't just say, I did this and I am experienced. You need to show it - not just tell about it.
A good KSA is three to four paragraphs long per question. In the question, you need to throw in the key terms in every 2-3 sentences. It does not mean you need to explain every sentence. For example, if the question states - what is your experience with relational databases. Your responses could potentially be, "As a contractor for ABC Company, I was responsible for three relational database platforms: Microsoft SQL Server 2005, the Oracle 11g platform, and a MySQL instance that ran a PHP based application for the customer service department." You just stated your credentials while throwing in the key term "relational database." Now, explain what you did with each of those database platforms - or the key accomplishment.
Write your essay with flair but don't make it too sophisticated. If a fifth grader can't read it, then its too complex.
The essay should reflect your experience but don't repeat the same experience for each essay.
Always use active voice to write.
Never tell the government how you want to change the world in the KSA. The KSA is to reflect your existing Knowledge, Skills and Abilities not the future. This is a huge turnoff.
Phrase things with intrigue. For example, a person who tells every detail of every bullet in their resume leaves themselves open to the government not wanting to interview them because it will seem as if they either are too experienced or are a "know-it-all." That is not good! State enough information so that you can get in the door and reflect your experience.
Finally, no one hates a poorly written writing sample as much as the government does. This speaks about your ability to communicate effectively; therefore, write well and articulate your points quickly.
Government KSA and Resume Writing Experts
- ResumeReviewers.net - Government KSA Writing Experts
- ResumeReviewers.net is a leading staffing and career consulting firm in the Washington DC metro area specializing in writing and supporting individuals looking to get a job in the federal government. They have written over 2000 KSA essays in the past 3 years as well as reviewed and rewritten over 1000 resumes in 2009 alone. With over 35 years of experience company-wide, they are the go-to people for federal employment guidance. And they offer the best prices in town too - often 30-50% off other vendors in the region.
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