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SES Resume

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By Mark Etting

Office of Personnel Management
Office of Personnel Management

The SES Resume is written in a highly professional and detailed manner. The Federal Government needs executives and managers who can lead and motivate people. They need people who are results-driven and can achieve those results and have expert business sense.

The law requires that the executive qualifications of each new career appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) be certified by an independent Qualifications Review Board based on criteria established by the Office of Personnel Management

As you can see by the above the SES Resume is different from the federal resumix and the typical federal resumes written for most GS positions. The SES Resume must be written in a much more professional and exacting manner. There is no room for error in this document.

Building Your SES Resume

SES resume writingis often complex and overwhelming. A large number of candidates for the Senior Executive Service choose to use professional resume writing services. But, if you are inclined to write your own resume, here are some tips for you:

1. Offer as much personal information as is requested.

2. Be very specific and to the point in your writing. The hiring committee will not put up with indirect round about answers.

3. Respond EXACTLY to what is required in the job listing. The vacancy announcement at this level of the Federal government has specific rules which must be followed to the "t". Any alterations or errors will cost you the interview!

4. Only supply RELEVANT data. If it doesn't fit within the framework of the job announcement, DO NOT USE IT!

5. Do an exemplary job in writing and building the ECQ statements. The ECQ's cover five basic areas: leading change, leading people, results driven, business acumen, and building coalitions.The Hiring committee uses these narratives to select the most qualified applicants .THEY ARE IMPORTANT!

And Here are some things NOT to do !

1. Don't Skimp on details. Your SES resume must be thorough and complete. The Committee needs to see that you are the stand out individual. uantity.

2. Don't attempt to write your own SES resume unless you feel capable. You can outsource your SES resume writing needs and often will get better chances of being hired than if you write your own resume.

3. Don't write too little. If data that you have is relevant, use it. It may seem insignificant now but later when you DON"T GET CALLED you'll wish you had used it.

SES resume writing is an involved process. It has to be done correctly and has to follow the rules. IT is up to you to make the choice between going it alone or hiring an SES Resume Writer resume writing needs.

 

Be A Leader

photo by J Fraissie
photo by J Fraissie

ECQ's ( Executive Core Qualifications)

A siginificant part of the Ses Resume is the section covering the ECQ's.

The ECQ's cover the skills required to succeed in the SES. There are five core (ECQ's). They determine whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions.

The ECQ's are extremely important to the hiring process. Some say they are the most important part of the SES Resume Writing / hiring process.

The five most commonly encountered ECQ's are:

* ECQ 1 Leading Change

* ECQ 2 Leading People

* ECQ 3 Results Driven

* ECQ 4 Business Acumen

* ECQ 5 Building coalitions

A successful application for the SES requires that the SES Resume Writing be impeccable when it comes to these points. A Federal Ses Resume must show a high level of competence in each ECQ.

Along with the SES Resume the ECQ questions must be structered and written so that your competance in each area and your ability to use these skills interdependantly is clear leaves no doubt as to your qualifications.

SES Resume Writing 101

In any career endeavor, it is imperative that you follow the application instructions carefully. When you are writing an SES Resume, you must follow each rule...guideline and suggestion exactly...if not your resume will be discarded and you will lose valuable job opportunities.

At the Senior Executive level, there is no room for errors. You simply need to read the job announcement carefully, to see what the hiring department is looking for. There is a standard format for SES Resume Writing, however, it may vary slightly from one job announcement to the next. The standard included elements are as follows:

Federal Resume: This should be a standard federal resume that includes name, contact information, social security number, experience and training, education, work history, and other relevant achievements (not necessarily in this order)

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's); these are: Lead Change, Lead People, Drive Results, Build Coalitions and employ Business Acumen

Technical Qualifications (TQ's) or other required elements

Managerial Technical Qualifications (MTQ's) or Professional Technical

Qualifications (PTQ's)

Cover Letter

KSA statement (only required by some openings, and may replace other elements of your SES resume

Another great way to get your resume noticed is the use of keywords from the job announcement in your SES Resume Writing. The keywords will capture the attention of the reader. You want to catch the attention of the reader in the first thirty seconds. Using the keywords from the job announcement is a great way to get the reader's attention and get him reading the rest of your SES resume.

Stand out From the Crowd!

photo by alvinguy01
photo by alvinguy01

How to Stand Out in the Crowd

When it comes to federal government resume writing, Ses Resumes for sure, you need to make sure that yours stands out above and beyond the rest. At this level in the employment game, harnessing your potential and finding your angle is the number one priority. An SES resume is ultimately a sales presentation, and your accomplishments , skills and abilities are the ones being sold.

If your education and experience alone won't close the deal, then you need to focus on your accomplishements, skills and abilities that is where you must place the emphasis in your SES Resume Writing.

It is also imperative that you utilize keywords from the job announcements into your resume to catch the attention of the reader. If they see that you took the time to detail specifically what they are looking for, they will read your resume, and potentially even offer you a position because of your attention to their needs. If you don't grab the attention of the person reading your Federal Ses Resume within the first few seconds,they won't bother to read the rest of your resume.

As with all federal or civilian application processes, with an SES Resume you are only trying to make one point : What can you do for THEM. If they can't clearly see what you are bringin to the table, they will likely move on to someone who has a unique resume. However, if you make yourself stand out and show them why they need you, and your federal government SES resume writing should be successful.

The Three C’s of Resume Writing

You've heard of the Three R's;reading 'riting and 'rithmatic but did you know there were 3 C's in Resume Writing? regardless if you are writing a civilian resume or an SES Resume the 3 C's apply.

Clarity

When you're getting into resume writing, you need to be very clear in every aspect. You need a firmly stated, very obvious objective. Additionally, you need to make sure that you have the proper information for your education and employment history as needed, so that the employer doesn't have to decode your resume and make guesses as to what you're capable of. The easier your resume is to read and follow, the more likely you are to be considered for the job.

Coherence

Coherence is another important element of resume writing. When you are applying for a job, your resume should be relevant, and totally coherent. For example, when you're applying for that big career executive position, they don't care if you worked at McDonald's when you were 21, or if you were in drama club in high school. Most professional careers don't even want or need high school information or job history that isn't relevant. If you're looking for a professional career, your resume should reflect this. Make sure that your objective and education match the position you're applying for, while being well presented.

Confidence

One final element of resume writing to consider is confidence. Employers look for people who are confident in their abilities, so it is imperative to utilize phrases and words that demonstrate your confidence in your resume writing. However, there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, so don't be too foregoing in your explanation of your abilities and expertise. For example, say "I am confident in my ability to work for your company because of my extensive training... I am capable of doing the work that is required...," etc. instead of saying something like "I'm the best, and if you don't hire me you'll be sorry." Although the latter is an extreme example, if you appear too prideful or overconfident, you may very well be giving this impression in your resume and cover letter, even if it's not directly stated.

Take Charge

SES Salary Range

DRAFT SALARY TABLE NO. 2008-EXRATES OF PAY FOR THE EXECUTIVE SCHEDULE (EX)EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2008:

Level I $ 191,300

Level II $ 172,200

Level III $ 158,500

Level IV $ 149,000

Level V $ 139,600

From the Office of Personnell Management

SES Resume Writing Professional Advice

Do not shortcut or bullet point your SES Resume. There is no need to do so. Within the Federal Government parameters it is expected that your Resume will be long, in fact to fit the format requirements it can't be a condensed version but must be thorough and complete.

Being a qualified SES candidate implies that you have extensive experience which your resume needs to detail.

Your writing needs to be in an active not passive voice. In other words detail your accomplishments as opposed to simply listing out duties and (boring) responsibilities.

Be detailed, show what you accomplished for the company and why it had merit and value for the company. If you increased revenues by $100,000,000 say so and describe how that $100 million was better or more helpful than previous revenue increases.

Use the old addage of selling with a story. When writing your ECQ's or PTQ's etc. tell a story. Your Federal resume (SES) isn't the same as a civilian resume. You can use more text, you're granted the ability to actually write about your skills and accomplishments. The resume reviewers will read your entire resume not like cvilian HR experts that simply glance over a typical resume.

WARNING! when you tell your stories make sure they are accurate and truthful; fiction (lying) will only backfire.

 

How to find SES positions

The quickest and most direct way to find positions available in the Senior Executive Service is to go to: http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/?WT.svl=navsearch

"Usa Jobs" is the Federal Government's website for career opportunities.

Along the top navigation area you will find search options. You click on the on "Senior Executive" button. Once you have entered the Senior Executive search you can search by specific keyword (Job Title, Agency Name, Vacancy Announcement #, Control # ) or you can search for specific geographical area for your SES position.

USA Jobs has a full Information center, an area to collect the many forms you may need and much more. In other words for an SES candidate it is an extrermely useful resource.

Pointers on your Ses Resume

Your SES Resume must describe, in detailed form, exactly how your professional experience fits into the SES requirments.

Your ECQ's and SES resume must be far superior to your competitors for you to be invited for an interview in the Senior Executive Service.

Convincing a Federal Review Board that you are the one, is not an easy job. Experience in the procedures, a working knowledge of Federal government Resume requirements and accomplished craftsmanship in authoring the SES resume and ECQ / PTQ questions that are a big part of your application are needed in order to succeed.

No one does this better than our highly qualified writers. They are highly trained, experienced and certified resume specialists, with proven track records.

photo by Lisamarie Babik
photo by Lisamarie Babik

Ses Resume ( ECQ Writing Tips)

1. Place emphasis on your recent experience, education, and training. Some consider experience over 10 years old to be out-dated.

2. Highlight awards and other forms of <i>Special Recognition</i> that are specific to an ECQ Statement.

3. You are not restricted to Federal experience Include private sector, volunteer and professional organizationexperience if they support the ECQ.

4. Include all education or training you have participated in that is applicable to your skills in a particular ECQ.

5. Include examples of special assignments and details.

6. Include all applicable special qualifications i.e. public speaking, professional publications, languages spoken, membership in related professional organizations or scientific societies and expertise in any technical areas such as I.T.

7. Show measurable results, especially in terms of improved customer service, increased efficiency, productivity, or money saved.

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Qualifications For the SES Program

 

Federal law states that the qualifications for each new appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) be verified through an Independent Qualifications Review Board.

The (ECQ's) Executive Core Qualifications section (part of the Federal SES Resume) lay out the leadership skills an appointee needs.

The Qualifications Review Board seeks Executives with proven track records in strategic leadership. The candidates must also show a commitment to public service. A long history in public and private service can also sway the board.

Qualifications Review Boards (QRB's) are brought together to provide an unbiased review of career appointee's applications for the Senior Executive Service. They review applications focusing on the candidate's experience and how it realtes to the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) requirements. One thing to note is that the board only reviews qualifications within the scope of the ECQ portion of the SES Resume...not any other criteria.

I recommend the use of experienced Professional Federal Resume Writers when seeking federal government employment. Especially in the SES program. It demonstrates a dedication and a professional attitude.

 

 

 

 

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