SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)
OPM updated the Executive Core Qualifications. Here is the current set, the CCAR model the Qualifications Review Board reads them by, and how our writers coach your narratives to the QRB standard.
The five Executive Core Qualifications
Drawn from the OPM Guide to the Senior Executive Service and Qualifications Review Board (August 25, 2025).
Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding
Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
Driving Efficiency
The ability to cut wasteful spending and pursue efficiency through better process and technology.
Merit and Competence
The knowledge and technical competence to produce work of exceptional quality, reliably.
Leading People
The ability to lead and inspire toward the mission, drive a high-accountability culture, and lead people through change.
Achieving Results
The ability to achieve individual and organizational results aligned to stated goals.
THE WRITING MODEL
Write each ECQ on the CCAR model
Every strong ECQ is built on the Challenge, Context, Action, Result model. Begin each statement with a half-page to one-page summary of your executive experience, then build the narrative in four parts.
Challenge
Describe a specific problem or goal.
Context
Name the individuals, groups, and environment you worked within, such as clients, co-workers, members of Congress, a shrinking budget, or low morale.
Action
Discuss the specific actions you took to address the challenge.
Result
Give specific, measurable results of your actions.
OPM GUIDANCE
What the board looks for
The QRB wants specific challenges, actions, and results. One or two strong examples per ECQ carry more weight than a long list. Six rules govern the narrative.
Keep it inside the limits
Clear, concise, first-person statements: no more than two pages per ECQ, no smaller than 11 point font, 0.8 inch margins.
Spell out and quantify
Spell out all acronyms, and quantify your accomplishments rather than stating beliefs or philosophies.
Add related credentials
Include recent education, training, and awards that relate to a particular ECQ.
Count non-federal experience
Include details, task forces, committees, and other special assignments where they demonstrate executive qualifications.
Show competencies, do not name them
Show the fundamental competencies across the complete statement without labeling each one directly.
Write CCAR without the labels
Keep the model in mind, but do not annotate the statement with “Challenge,” “Context,” “Action,” or “Result.”
How our ECQ writing service works
The first step is yours: Resume Place SES writers and editors cannot write the first draft. To help you write it, we recommend our book, The New SES Application, with three sets of Top Ten lists and two full case studies that show the format to follow.
Writing your Top Ten leadership accomplishments from the last ten years is mandatory for writing SES ECQs. From that list you map the ten examples into the five ECQs, two examples each, and our SES writers and editors coach the drafts to the QRB standard. Use our free CCAR Accomplishment Builder to write the stories.
If your announcement also lists Mandatory Technical Qualifications, we write those too: MTQ and TQ writing, $285 per qualification.
The three-hour ECQ consultation, $780
THE CONSULTATION
A one-on-one discussion about ECQ writing and a review of two pages of narrative: send a single two-page ECQ, or two one-page stories from different ECQs. The hourly rate is $260.
- Three-hour consulting and needs review: within 5 working days.
- Five- or seven-hour mark-up of the ECQs: within 7 working days.
- Full-service writing: 2 to 3 weeks.
- We need your Top Ten list of accomplishments to begin the writing, and a minimum of 7 days for any SES ECQ project.
PAST PERFORMANCE
The record behind the service
Resume Place senior executive writers have been writing, editing, teaching, and coaching SES ECQs for 25 years, inside agencies and one-on-one.
Where the record comes from
Agency contracts
Contracts with the VA, the Secret Service, and other agencies to write, coach, and edit ECQs for internal SES and leadership program candidates.
Agency training
Trusted trainers for leadership development programs and SES pipeline building, starting every class with the Top Ten list.
QRB rejection rewrites
We rewrite the ECQs following the QRB rejection letter, and they pass.
The leading curriculum
We wrote and published the leading text for writing ECQs, The New SES Application, and coach private clients preparing for promotion to the SES.
SUCCESS STORY
I just wanted to share my good news with you! I was notified this week that I got the SES job that I applied for. I have your assistance to thank for my big turnaround from my first SES interview to the next. The feedback from the selecting official was I improved my performance 200%!
Preparing for the QRB interview
The Qualifications Review Board is a three-member panel of sitting SES members. The panel assesses your breadth, depth, and scope of executive experience within the context of the ECQs and their competencies. Be ready to discuss your experience in a clear, concise, organized way.
Successful candidates focus on the challenges faced, the leadership actions taken, and the results achieved. That is the CCAR model, and it is exactly what the board scores. Write your interview stories ahead of time with the free CCAR Accomplishment Builder.
GET STARTED
Write ECQs that pass the board
We coach SES candidates through the ECQs, the two-page resume, and the QRB interview.