KSAs

KSA stands for knowledge, skills, and abilities, often used to describe what candidates need to perform a job role. KSAs are usually outlined in the job description, covering both the personal and professional qualities required. Many job applications ask candidates to explain, in a few hundred words, how their own knowledge, skills, and abilities match up with the job’s requirements.

A KSA can also refer to a written statement, where a prospective candidate describes their own knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to an open role, which helps employers quickly screen for the most suitable candidates. The KSA model was originally introduced as a government hiring tool, though many personnel departments have gradually moved away from using it.