SES Hiring Process

For the most part, Senior Executive Service (SES) positions are filled using a merit-based open competitive process. In some cases, a position may be filled using a non-competitive process. The competitive process is generally open to all candidates, including those without prior Federal Job experience. When positions are filled using the merit-based open competition, the following will apply:

• The vacancy announcement will be open for a minimum of two weeks.
• The vacancy announcement will be made available to all candidates including those without prior experience working for the Federal Government.
• The vacancy announcement will be listed on a number of web sites, but for the most part, you can rely on usajobs.opm.gov and jobs.bpa.gov.
• Each candidate will be required to provide responses to the five Senior Executive Service Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) regarding leadership and achievement.
• Any Veteran’s Preference will not apply in the open competition.
• There are no time-in-grade requirements included for these positions.

When positions are filled using the non-competitive process, they are generally open to candidates who have already completed an OPM certified SES Candidate Development Program, who may be placed without competition, or existing SES members may be reassigned or transferred into the position.

There may be different hiring processes depending on the department posting the position. In general though, the position will be posted for at least two weeks, but this is a short period of time to get your entire package put together with maximum impact.

Applications will be reviewed to see if they meet minimum requirements and standards. The reviewing board(s) will identify and select a small list of “best qualified” candidates who are then referred to the hiring official. These are the candidates with supportive and definitive ECQ statements, clearly illustrating leadership and achievement. A panel of experts may review the short list of candidates for the final selection. The selection is made and final approval is obtained from OPM. The review, approval, and certification process may involve more than a dozen review steps. Your resume, ECQs and other documents must withstand the scrutiny of these multiple reviews.

Since there is an extensive recruiting, evaluation, and approval process before an appointment is made, the entire process can take several months - even though the application window may be short. Since the SES positions are filled by accomplished, visionary leaders, you will know that you are among the best of the best when you’re selected to fill one of these vital Federal positions.

SES Application Process - Question

I’m extremely interested to hear about anyone’s experience who has been through the SES Application process.  I am hoping through this forum we can share individual experiences regarding QRB (Quality Review Board), Panel Interviews, SES Application development, and SES Panel Interview. Please post a reply here.

Federal Government Executive Jobs - Do You Have What It Takes?

The federal government is seeking visionary men and women with well-honed executive leadership skills and qualifications that can continue to transform our government. These positions are often filled by ex-military senior officers and other senior executives who wish to serve their country in a rewarding and challenging position. Senior Executive Service (SES) jobs can be found by visiting the USA Jobs web site and searching for SES (see URL below). This site also provides additional background on the SES or senior executive service concept.

Seven questions you should ask yourself if you are considering applying for a Federal SES position:

1. Do you share a share a broad perspective of government and a public service commitment which is grounded in the Constitution?
2. Are you interested in serving in the key positions within federal government just below the top Presidential appointees?
3. Would you like to serve as one of the major links between Presidential appointees and the rest of the Federal work force?
4. Are you qualified to lead and oversee nearly every government activity in one of approximately 75 Federal agencies?
5. Do you have the personal and professional passion to serve as one of the top executives in Federal Government?
6. Are you a visionary leader and able to motivate personnel, build partnerships, and communicate with customers?
7. Do you possess solid management skills in order to produce optimum results with limited resources?

If you answered YES to these questions, The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) wants to hear from you. Simply visit www.usajobs.opm.gov and type in the search term SES. You can also search for SES positions by city and state, but the majority of SES jobs are located in and around Washington, D.C. SES Applications can be quite daunting, but well worth the effort to become one of the top executives in the federal government.

Provided by Barbara Adams, President & CEO of CareerPro Global, the parent company of www.seswriters.com , www.careerproplus.com and www.militaryresumewriters.com, one of the fastest growing Federal, Military, and Civilian Resume Writing and Career Coaching companies in the world. Ms. Adams has been a member of the careers community for the past 18 years. She holds four prestigious industry certifications. Questions may be emailed to badams@careerprocenter.net

Senior Executive Service Web Site

CareerPro Global has developed and launched  SESWriters.com, a Web site devoted to helping senior executives seeking critical positions within the federal government. Candidates for these positions are required to submit extensive, highly detailed applications with multiple components deeply exploring leadership experience and other qualifications. Many find the process to be daunting and overly challenging.

In addition to serving as an entry point for potential clients, the SESWriters.com web site provides many insights into the Senior Executive Service process and relevant career opportunities. The extensive resume and executive core qualifications sequence is explained and tips on the content and timing for job postings and the hiring process are provided.

Barbara Adams, President of CareerPro Global said, “In delivering this new web site, we want to not only bring in new business, but provide a resource for anyone even considering this lucrative career path working at the highest levels of our government.” She added, “With over 20 years of federal resume development expertise our elite team of senior executive service resume writers has the background to help clients successfully navigate and apply to the complicated but rewarding Senior Executive Service application process.”

CareerPro Global has already helped thousands of civilian executives, current senior level federal personnel, and senior military leaders find rewarding positions in government service. “Our writers and staff provide hand-held support through every step of the process,” Adams said. “They understand the intricacies of the federal government resume, application and hiring process and provide a full service experience to our clients. A comprehensive in-house guided ISO 9000 process has been established to advance and ensure all critical application components are addressed.

In business for over twenty-two years, CareerPro Global develops professional civilian, federal and military resumes and provides career counseling with a focus on military transition and federal executives. The company’s credentialed professional writing team is strategically deployed across the U.S., and includes expert professional resume writers in several states. With headquarters in Macon, Georgia, the company has produced over 33,000 resumes and provides educational material and guidance for its clients and the industry. For more information, call 800.471.9201 or visit them online at www.SESwriters.com.

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Reasons QRB (Quality Review Board) Cases are Disapproved

SES: Top 10 Reasons QRB (Quality Review Board) Cases are Disapproved

By Barbara A. Adams, CPRW, CEIP, CFRW, CMRW

Executive Core Qualifications are essential components of the Senior Executive Service application process. ECQs must be written in a CCAR (Content, Challenge, Action, Result) model and emphasize leadership. There are many variables that are included in each ECQ.

Below are the top 10 reasons your SES ECQs may never make it past the Quality Review Board.

1. Didn’t describe what he/she did personally to achieve results.
2. Emphasis on technical rather than leadership skills.
3. Emphasis on process rather than results.
4. Didn’t use the CCAR type model.
5. No evidence of leveraging diversity.
6. No evidence of strategic thinking, vision.
7. Vague statements or philosophy rather than facts.
8. No evidence of innovation/creativity.
9. Laundry list of actions without context or results.
10. No measurable results.Completing the ECQs and the rest of the SES applciation takes time, focus and diligence. You are striving for a rewarding position at the highest levels of the federal government.

Barbara Adams, President & CEO of CareerPro Global, the parent company of

www.seswriters.com,
www.careerproplus.com, and
www.militaryresumewriters.com,

one of the fastest growing Federal, Military, and Civilian Resume Writing and Career Coaching companies in the world.

Ms. Adams has been a member of the careers community for the past 18 years. She holds four prestigious industry certifications.

Questions may be emailed to badams@careerprocenter.net