Final answer:
The KSA in job specification refers to Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, which are essential for job performance and are used in hiring. Factors beyond KSAs can influence hiring decisions, but formal requirements can be found in the O*Net database.
Step-by-step explanation:
In job specification, the acronym KSA stands for Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. These are the attributes required to perform a job and are used during the hiring process to identify the best candidates for a given position. Although ideal hiring decisions should be based on an accurate assessment of KSAs to match the requirements of the position, in practice, there are additional factors that influence hiring choices, such as interviewer biases and physical attractiveness. For instance, research shows that similarity to the interviewer and regional accent can impact an interviewee's rankings, and biases can result from subconscious associations, such as those related to body size or physical attractiveness. However, to formally understand what is required for various professions, one can refer to the O*Net database from the United States Department of Labor, which provides a detailed list of the KSAs for nearly every occupation.