KSAs are essentially statements made to demonstrate those three factors in relation to a particular job in writing. They were originally related to US Federal jobs, but have taken their place in the wider employment market as useful employer evaluation tools. In most cases KSAs will be directly related to essential job skills.
It must be mentioned at this point that KSAs have another direct relevance to job applications. They demonstrate written communications skills, and are therefore extremely important as physical parts of the job application. Good quality drafts are 100% minimum requirements.
Important: Criteria for KSA statements may be specific. If you're in any doubt regarding the information required, its form, or the amount of information required, ask the employer for their requirements.
Examples of KSA
Knowledge of project management
I have managed various projects in the last 10 years. These projects included:
June-December 2008: Customer promotions project - ABC Magazines: This was a direct sales, high-profile marketing initiative by ABC Magazines to consolidate and expand their customer base through intensive online, phone and media publications. The project employed 50 call center operators taking inquiries and doing sales promotions to callers.
I was responsible as project manager under independent contract for management of:
The project achieved a 28% increase in sales on the pre-project initiation base. Revenue from increased sales was $5 million after tax. I received a bonus under contract terms of 40% of baseline salary upon completion.
Knowledge of business contracting procedures
March 2009- August 2009- MMM Inc Project manager
I was employed as a project manager to conduct a formal 6 month study of MMM Inc's contract management systems. MMM required:
Project management involved the study of 128 separate contracts. I employed a staff of 9 people to conduct information collation under the criteria of the project requirements.
The areas studied were:
Failures in contract management were identified as systemic. The project produced a white paper in which new proposals included:
MMM Inc implemented these proposals, instituting formal contract management procedures at all levels of contract operation from inception to completion. MMM Inc subsequently retained my services as a consultant for the implementation of the new contract management procedures.
Knowledge of business communications systems projects
January 2010- June 2010 XYZ Finance Inc Manager, Business systems management project
XYZ Finance Inc instituted a 6 month project to upgrade and expand its entire communications system. This is a business finance franchise operating in 24 states. The corporate communication system was an ad hoc system using multiple forms of software, hardware and different training at all levels of business. It was estimated that the system was unworkable and cost-inefficient in multiple areas of business operations.
I was employed to conduct a study of the existing systems and determine the best options for streamlining, upgrading and enhancing business performance and report to XYZ senior management regarding options.
The study found that the current systems were entirely inadequate to conduct business efficiently and could not be upgraded for future business.
Recommendations for new systems included:
A common phone/software/hardware system to be introduced for all franchises