CNN recently published results of research done at Salary.com. It stated that “The typical mother puts in a 92-hour work week, the company concluded, and works at least 10 jobs. In order of hours spent on them per week, these are: housekeeper, day-care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive officer and psychologist. By figuring out the median salaries for each position, and calculating the average number of hours worked at each, the firm came up with $138,095 — three percent higher than last year’s results.”

That alone should make any stay at home mom feel valued. Unfortunately not all potential employers see it that way. Instead of seeing a fantastic candidate who is more than capable of multitasking, problem solving and having impeccable organization skills, they see a mom who hasn’t worked in years. The dilemma – how can SAHMs create a resume which offers the opportunity to receive an interview?

Concentrate on your skills. There is no hard rule that says a resume is merely job history. Rather use bullets which annotate results achieved. For example:

Instead of: Mom’s Taxi Driver

Try: Possess reliable transportation.

Instead of: Getting kids to and from school, practice and lessons

Try: 100% attendance. Over the past eight years I have not called in sick once nor been tardy to scheduled appointments.

Instead of: Laundry slave

Try: Able to multitask multiple projects at one time, resulting in a smoothly run operation.

Instead of: Sibling referee

Try: Calm under pressure.

You get the idea. The biggest challenge moms have getting back into the workforce is that lack confidence or sense of accomplishments. Staying home to manage the household and care for the family is one of the most difficult occupations around. If you don’t believe me – ask any stay at home mom. Most would agree that they had it much easier collecting a paycheck from someone else; however there is no comparison as to the rewards of working at home.

Have fun with your resume; don’t get stuck in the quagmire worrying about lack of job history. Concentrate on your transferable skills and you’ll be fine. If you’re still at a loss on how to best display your skills, considering hiring someone to help you put together a professional resume and cover letter. You have what it takes. Employers will be fortunate to have you on their team! You can do it!

Today’s volatile economic environment and expected layoffs means that many people will be searching for a new job. For many of you, a U.S. government job can offer security, excellent benefits, and interesting work. But be aware: competition for these jobs is intense and you have to stand out from all the other applicants to get a placement – that is where the KSA becomes a key opportunity you can use to get that government job.

What is a KSA?

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management maintains a searchable database, called USAJOBS that lists government job openings. Once you have signed up on line, you will find that specific position openings often require completion of a detailed description of your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) in addition to your resume.

Each job that requires a KSA will have specific KSA questions for you to answer usually in about a page of written content. This is not an optional task. You must do it and you must do it well. Each KSA answer is scored by human resources personnel on a 0-20 scale that reflects how closely your knowledge, skills, and abilities match the complexity, impact, variety, circumstances, and interactions that characterize the job for which you are applying. KSAs are frequently the deciding factor in your evaluation for employment in the U.S. government. So, what are KSAs? According to the CDC’s Help Page on KSAs:

Knowledge statements refer to an organized body of information usually of a factual or procedural nature which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible. A body of information applied directly to the performance of a function.

Skill statements refer to the proficient manual, verbal or mental manipulation of data or things. Skills can be readily measured by a performance test where quantity and quality of performance are tested, usually within an established time limit. Examples of proficient manipulation of things are skill in typing or skill in operating a vehicle. Examples of proficient manipulation of data are skill in computation using decimals; skill in editing for transposed numbers, etc.

Ability statements refer to the power to perform an observable activity at the present time. This means that abilities have been evidenced through activities or behaviors that are similar to those required on the job, e.g., ability to plan and organize work. Abilities are different from aptitudes. Aptitudes are only the potential for performing the activity.

How should you answer KSA questions to improve your chances of getting a government job?

The most effective answers to the KSA questions reflect your understanding of the job requirements based on detailed analysis of the job description and typical tasking. You should pay careful attention to the key words used in the job description and use those words in describing your knowledge, skills and abilities.

In general, knowledge is more abstract than skills and therefore can be generalized over many different tasks and responsibilities. Knowledge comes from academic and life experiences including, but not limited to, education and employment. Any knowledge that you possess that is pertinent to the job you are seeking is something you should include in your the KSA response.

It is a good idea to brainstorm by yourself and with others, what “knowledge” you should claim because you can demonstrate it via your written answers. For example let’s say the position requires “being able to organize a project”. Although your work experience did not provide the opportunity to manage a project, your experience running the PTA’s funding raising for a year, although an unpaid activity, could legitimately be claimed as “experience managing a project”. It is up to you to describe the knowledge you acquired in a way that translates to the job for which you are applying.

Think of skills as capabilities that can be tested i.e., understanding how a spreadsheet program can help manage a budget is knowledge; being able to create an Excel spreadsheet to track expenses is a skill. Extract skill requirements from the job posting and offer evidence that you possess those skills. For example, the position of Pharmacy Assistant requires knowledge demonstrated by certified training and skills acquired from previous experience handing drugs and working with customers.

How to write an effective KSA response

In responding to KSA questions, you are making assertions about your knowledge, skills, and abilities. You must then backup those assertions with believable evidence. You need to develop your KSA responses with an eye on two key variables: relevance of content and quality of presentation. The National Forest Service provides an excellent tutorial on do’s and don’ts of writing effective KSA responses.

Describe your knowledge, skills, and abilities in terms that tie directly to the job using keywords that you extract from the job posting. Then “prove” by specific examples what you can do because of what you did in the past and the context in which you did it. Put your compliance with key job requirements at the beginning of the appropriate KSA answer or the beginning of a paragraph. For example: If the job requires a degree in accounting, the first place you can say clearly, “I completed my accounting degree at XYZ University” do it; then continue to describe your experience in accounting tasks.

Numbers can be your friend when it comes to providing proof to your reviewers. Instead of saying, “I wrote reports” consider saying, “I prepared monthly reports on six field trials with a lead time of two days”.

Knowledge and skills can also be demonstrated by using an overview of your previous responsibilities with examples of specific tasks, by describing training or certifications you received, and by citing awards or recognition for accomplishments. Reviewers like to see action words in your KSA answers and that requires that you write in an active versus a passive voice. You should say: “I analyzed data …” not “Data was analyzed”. You can find a great list of action verbs at Job Skills – Power verbs.

In conclusion your KSA answers must:

Be concise Be relevant Be specific Have quantitative examples Make it easy for reviewers to find your compliance with key job requirements Be action and accomplishment oriented Be well written with NO TYPOs and good sentence construction. It is a good idea to have someone else look over your answers before you send them because it is sometimes difficult to see your own mistakes. Remember, KSA answers separate those who are qualified for a job from those who are most qualified.

One of the great challenges of PTA activity is generating fresh and effective school fundraising ideas.

Those who have been involved in the PTA for a few years will have considerable experience of schools fundraising ideas, yet still are keen to identify new, interesting ideas.

Newer PTA members may wish to make a valuable contribution by offering something original. One of the most important factors is coming up with an idea that children and their families feel a sense of identity with and will become keen to support. A good starting point is to involve children and ask their opinions. Children are imaginative and also far less inhibited – unlike adults they won’t worry so much if people think their idea is ’silly’ or ‘unusual’.

Encourage fellow PTA members to consult with children on ideas, or even host a ‘focus group’ in which ideas can be discussed with pupils.

Activities such as a quiz, a sports event, music or dancing are always perennially popular, and are social enough for everyone to feel involved in.

It’s always a good idea to make an event themed – consider something local or topical just to the school for added originality. The creating and selling of school-specific items can also be a huge success – people like to have something made by the school.

It’s never too early to start thinking about schools Christmas cards. These are a school fundraising winner, as almost all parents buy Christmas cards and will gladly support the school this way.

Children can be encouraged to get involved by designing a card. To allow more children to be involved, artists may like to design the picture, while budding writers can compose a greeting, emerging entrepreneurs can contribute to sales and marketing, and outstanding organisers can help with production.

The whole process is a fantastic platform for school pupils to work together to create something impressive, and ultimately raise funds for the improvement of their school.

A competition for a design can be introduced as early as Spring, with different stages of the process addressed throughout the year. School Christmas cards will not only boost schools fundraising, but encourage teamwork, creative and business skills while the children have great fun in the process.
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