Brainstorming your KSAs and passion(s)

Posted by Steve

May 12, 2009

Monday evening our "Fight Club" local job search group meeting was very productive. There were two issues that came up, but really are same thing:

1) I'm looking to change direction, and have been applying for jobs. I'm think I have the skills for them, but I'm not sure, and

2) I don't know what I want to do.

These are very common dilemmas to be in (I've been there and done that many times). So, don't feel you are alone in this. But, you can feel stuck in this uncertainty and doubt.

If you're feeling like this, there are two exercises I'd like you to do.

1) Take an inventory of your current skills, knowledge, and abilities (KSAs). These are defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management as:

* Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) - The attributes required to perform a job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying service, education, or training.
* Knowledge - Is a body of information applied directly to the performance of a function.
* Skill - Is an observable competence to perform a learned psychomotor act.
* Ability - Is competence to perform an observable behavior or a behavior that results in an observable product.

For example, you could have knowledge of plumbing, the ability (competence) to install a water pipe, and the skills to use the tools and methods necessary to install a water pipe.

What you want to do is brainstorm ALL your KSAs (in no particular order) that you have. It doesn't matter how insignificant or silly you may think they are. Your task right now is to just list them. then, prioritize them in order of importance or significance. We'll get to what to do with them in subsequent Fight Club meetings.

2) Brainstorm your passions! What do you love to do? What would you do for free because you love it soooo much? Again, it doesn't matter if you think it's silly or weird - it's what you love to do. There's something you love - even if you don't think you do.

Throughout these two exercises, don't be worrying about what other people might think of your list. Who cares? This is about you and you alone. This is about your life. No one is going to live it for you. So, you get to decide how you are going to live your future.