KSAs are most often associated with the recruiting process for federal jobs. In this context, the federal job posting may list as many as ten areas of knowledge, skill and ability to which all job applicants must respond in writing.

However, KSAs in the context of an Impact Resume are very succinct statements designed to educate the reader as to your Value Proposition, and to motivate him or her to read further into your resume. Let's look at how this occurs.

“Knowledge” is what you have learned by, and can be described as, your education, certifications, industry exposure and experience. It essentially refers to your familiarity with subjects related to a job or job family (financial planning and analysis, accounting, internal audit, etc.)

“Skills” are what you have acquired by work experience and other life experiences. In short, skills address your competence or capability to actually perform the tasks related to a job or job family.

“Ability” is the quality of being able to perform. In short, the demonstrated combination of your Knowledge and Skills combines to illustrate your Ability.

People read your resume because they want to know if you match up to an open position they need to fill. First, to fill that position, you need certain knowledge. Your resume needs to communicate the knowledge you possess. Second, to fill that position, you need certain skills. Your resume needs to communicate the skills you have developed. Third, to fill that position, you need to demonstrate that you can actually do the job. Your resume needs to demonstrate that you can perform, and surpass, the necessary tasks.

Taken in total, your KSAs represent your Value Proposition – it is what you offer – it is your brand.

When your resume allows the hiring manager to easily determine that your Value Proposition matches the knowledge and skills required for the job and further shows a demonstrated ability to do the job, you have passed the first test and you have motivated the hiring manager to read on and to learn more about you.

One last thought about the use of KSAs to create an Impact Resume. KSAs typically have a “functional” emphasis. Therefore, if you feel that a chronological resume “buries” some of the accomplishments that a functional resume would highlight, the use of well-written KSAs overcomes that by alerting the reader that functional achievements are noted within the details of your chronological resume.

Remember this – KSAs create your Value Proposition (what you offer). By creating a Value Proposition the reader can easily assimilate what you offer with what he or she needs (the open position) In short, the reader can “connect the dots”.

If the dots connect, you get called for an interview. It is that simple. And, if you get called for an interview, your resume has fulfilled its objective – which is to get you the interview that other jobseekers are not getting.