ECQs (Executive Core Qualifications) are one of the most challenging requirements of an SES application. Our Senior Executive Writers are trained and skilled in developing ECQs for the most technical executives from Scientists, Information Technology, and System Architects, to Military Colonels and Generals with careers spanning over two decades.
The most important characteristic required in each ECQ is to provide content rich with examples that will crystallize your "Leadership" skills and demonstrate how they can contribute to building a Federal corporate culture that drives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions within and outside the Federal agencies.
ECQs are required for entry to the Senior Executive Service (SES) and you must present a top notch ECQ package that will be accepted by the QRB (Quality Review Board) within each Federal agency.
Our experienced SES Writers work one-on-one with you to obtain all required information for each ECQ. We are accustomed to working with executives all over the world to develop SES applications via email, telephone consult and on-line builders. OPM states in their SES guide that you can expect to devote 80 or more hours to develop your ECQs. Most executives do not have the time to spare, or the immediate knowledge of all the fundamental technical requirements, to put together a strong ECQ package. Not an easy task, even for the most accomplished writer. We require up to eight hours of your time, as this is an interactive process, and at least 10 to 14 days to develop your entire SES application.
This review is FREE and we will determine if we can indeed qualify you to become one of the next SES leaders within the Federal government.
Each statement is 1 to 1-1/2 pages long. In these statements, you must provide strong examples of direct leadership experience to show how you address each of these factors. Leadership is more important than "management" in this context. We will work with you to prepare these detailed statements and will develop appropriate narratives that follow the Federal Government model for each individual factor, as shown:
Below is a chart of each ECQ definition. We address your ECQ responses in a CCAR (Context, Challenge, Action, Result) model as described above, required by OPM, and incorporate the respective competencies below into each ECQ, as well as the fundamental competencies.
| ECQ | Definitions | Competencies |
| Leading Change | This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. | Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision |
| Leading People | This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. | Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building |
| Results Driven | This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. | Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility |
| Business Acumen | This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. | Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management |
| Building Coalitions | This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. | Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating |
These competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications and must be reflected throughout your ECQs