The next put up takes a better take a look at Navigating Main SES Adjustments.
Keen on making use of to SES federal jobs in 2025 and past? Holding tabs on the adjustments will enhance your odds when it’s time to use and compete for an SES function.
Learn: Understanding the Federal Hiring Timeline
Associated: Greatest Federal Resume Writing Providers
Whether or not you’re a first-time SES applicant or a seasoned government revisiting the method, understanding these updates is important for staying aggressive.
Right here’s what it is advisable know.
Overview
In Could 2025, OPM launched the ‘Benefit Hiring Plan’, which represents one of the crucial vital updates to the SES utility course of in a long time. It redefines how senior government candidates are assessed – shifting the main focus from prolonged and bureaucratic to concise and results-driven.
Profitable SES candidates should clearly and successfully talk their expertise and credentials throughout the confines of the brand new framework.
For extra on this subject, take a look at: How the Benefit Hiring Plan Impacts Federal Job Seekers
Two Web page SES Resume
Beneath the ‘Benefit Hiring Plan’, all Federal Resumes at the moment are capped at two-pages in size.
Previously, SES Resumes had been recognized for his or her exhaustive element – typically stretching to 5 or ten pages chock-full of knowledge. For SES-level candidates, condensing a long time of management expertise into simply two pages goes to be particularly difficult and would require a strategic strategy.
For extra on this subject, take a look at: Navigating Main Adjustments to the Federal Resume.
New ECQs
Beneath the ‘Benefit Hiring Plan’, the ECQs have been up to date for the primary time since 2006. The variety of ECQs stays 5, however the definitions and behavioral indicators have been refreshed.
Listed here are the previous and new ECQs.
Outdated ECQs (Pre-2025):
- ECQ 1: Main Change
- ECQ 2: Main Individuals
- ECQ 3: Outcomes Pushed
- ECQ 4: Enterprise Acumen
- ECQ 5: Constructing Coalitions
New ECQs (2025 and past):
- ECQ 1: Dedication to the Rule of Regulation and the Ideas of the American Founding
- ECQ 2: Driving Effectivity
- ECQ 3: Benefit and Competence
- ECQ 4: Main Individuals
- ECQ 5: Reaching Outcomes
New Strategies for ECQs
Amid all of the adjustments launched by the ‘Benefit Hiring Plan’, one of many greatest shifts is that SES candidates now not should submit the standard 10-page ECQ essays.
Don’t get too excited – ECQs aren’t going anyplace. What’s altering is the way you showcase them. As an alternative of prolonged standalone narratives, you’ll now be anticipated to exhibit your ECQs in different methods.
Beginning July 1, 2025, SES candidates are now not requested to submit the standard 10-page ECQ essays. As an alternative, companies might select from considered one of these strategies for evaluating an SES candidate’s ECQs.
- (a) full a structured interview the place you clarify your management expertise in individual
- (b) write one-page narrative statements for every ECQ (known as an accomplishment report)
- (c) submit a two-page Federal Resume that issue the ECQs immediately into the doc itself
It’s price noting that companies select the analysis methodology on a job-by-job foundation – so that you by no means know what to anticipate. SES candidates should pay shut consideration to the small print in every job announcement.
Under is a screenshot from a LinkedIn put up providing a glimpse into the brand new SES necessities.
Methodology 1: Structured Interview
When the structured interview methodology is used, you gained’t be requested to submit written ECQs – however that doesn’t imply they’re now not required. You’ll nonetheless want ECQs, solely this time you’ll communicate them as a substitute of write them.
The interview is designed to attract out your {qualifications} by means of focused questions. You’ll have to establish sturdy, related tales prematurely and know them inside and outside.
Having the ability to recall and articulate your ECQ tales in a high-stakes interview setting is arguably much more difficult than submitting a written narrative.
Methodology 2: One Web page Narratives
When the narratives methodology is used, you’ll be requested to jot down one-page statements for every of the 5 ECQs – this is called an “accomplishment report.” It’s a streamlined model of the previous 10-page essay requirement.
Whereas capped at one web page per narrative, it’s nonetheless a big enterprise. That’s 5 pages of fastidiously crafted, high-impact content material that should clearly replicate your management expertise and align with every ECQ. It might be shorter than the previous format, however the stage of thought, technique, and writing talent required stays excessive.
Methodology 3: Resume
When the Resume methodology is used, you’ll have to submit a two-page Federal Resume that integrates the ECQs immediately. No separate narrative. You’re anticipated to weave examples for every ECQ into the doc.
This implies structuring your expertise and achievements to align with every of the 5 ECQs. Hiring officers should be capable of see the way you meet every core qualification simply by studying your Federal Resume.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope this text helps you perceive the SES utility course of higher. Large adjustments like this may be powerful to navigate. I’ll proceed to replace this text because the SES course of evolves.