When you read the KSAS, there may be one that makes you feel uneasy about stating your experience. As a KSA writer and federal hiring process expert, I can tell you from experience that there are cases where we have overcome that hurdle with clients. Often clients don't recall their full range of their experience. And often how they are written will somewhat compensate.
If there’s more than one KSA you would have trouble demonstrating, then you are not likely to rank "best qualified" and get referred.
Although most people don't find KSA writing pleasurable, and would like them to go away altogether, they are your opportunity to demonstrate your impact and accomplishments without limiting yourself. Think of them as a bonus.
DUTIES: Now we’re getting to the real meat. These are the actual duties that will be required on the job.
QUALIFICATIONS: Read, and re-read very carefully to determine if you are qualified. Sometimes, clients come to me wondering why they are not getting high rankings after applying for a number of government jobs. Upon review, I notice that they were not the best qualified for those positions. The more qualified you are for the position, the more likely you are to be ranked best qualified and actually referred for an interview.
HOW TO APPLY: The usual application requires a federal resume, maybe KSAs, performance evaluation, DD214 (if former military), transcripts. If other documents are required they will be specified in the instructions. Be sure to follow the instructions and complete
the entire application process.
Your Homework:
Start by finding announcements that appeal to you, that you think you may qualify.
Set up a job search agent on USAjobs.com to find similar jobs. Evaluate the keywords, competencies.
The qualifications section is your key along with reviewing the OPM site for the job classification details.
Be sure to consider the vacancy in great detail when composing your federal resume. If you are applying and not
getting results, even after further analysis... get help to identify the best federal jobs for your success.
Hi Constance,
I appreciate the reply, but I take issue between what is theory and what is practice when it comes to federal hiring.
#1- The article was actually written some time ago and when we changed website format somehow it rose to the top again.
#2- Yes, technically KSAs have gone away but the reality is, they are still required. When reading the vacancy announcements , an applicant
is clearly required to address the KSAs if they want to get noticed. Although they may not be in the same format as previously required, a shorter
version is often required via the questionnaires.
#3 CLients that have continued to address KSAs using a similar style as the old KSA format in the questionnaires and even in their resumes have been referred.
Those who haven't and used "basic" resumes as the new rules say have not been referred. And I'm talking Veterans in both cases.
Frankly, I think KSAs and the extensive questionnaires are "good" things because they filter out unqualified candidates. But I do understand how tedious it can be.
As for the number of federal jobs and the difficulties in landing them, I say so what...you only have to land 1.
Corporations have hiring freezes too and at the same time are hiring. We do have lots of vet Clients and members who have been making their way through
the process, but also have folks who are not and were hired... this year.
I thank you for your contribution and would love to learn more about what you do and how it will affect us all going forward. Perhaps, we could have you
on a call for our members. It's always good to hear the news from the "inside".
Regards,
Daphne