Writing effective Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) Narratives

  • The Senior Executive Service (SES) needs people who can demonstrate, through their leadership and management accomplishments, which they are in a position to lead now. This is not the place to write about how you developed skills.
  • Remember that you are writing executive summaries, not biographies. If you need more than one page, make certain that every word is important to convey your full leadership abilities.
  • The SES needs people who are ready to lead in todays environment. Use recent examples as much as possible. What have you done lately?
  • Spell out all acronyms.
  • Describe recent education and training that enhanced your skills in a particular Executive Core Qualification (ECQ). Try not to go back any longer than 5 years, if possible.
  • Include non-Federal experience (e.g., private sector, volunteer and professional organizations) if it demonstrates executive qualifications.
  • Don’t forget to include special assignments (e.g., details, task forces, committees) if they are relevant to an ECQ.
  • Avoid statements that describe your personal beliefs or philosophies; focus on specific challenges and results.
  • Include awards that relate specifically to an ECQ.
  • If possible, quantify/qualify your accomplishments.
  • Focus on leadership rather than managerial and technical abilities; all three are important, but leadership is more important.
  • Show your experience in all 5 Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
  • Follow the Challenge-Context-Action-Result model.
  • Each ECQ should contain specific, job-related experiences with specific accomplishments.
  • Never combine any of the ECQs.
  • Never address an ECQ by referring the reader to other parts of your application (e.g., resume).
  • Avoid using an identical example for more than one ECQ.
  • Avoid a laundry list of activities without context, actions, or accomplishments.
  • Focus on your vision for the organization not your personal vision.
  • Highlight awards or other forms of recognition that relate specifically to an ECQ.
  • Include relevant formal education or training that has enhanced your skills in a particular ECQ.
  • Include special qualifications: public speaking, publications, languages spoken, membership in related professional organizations or scientific societies, or expertise in a technical area (e.g., budget, information technology).
  • Show measurable results, especially in terms of improved customer service, increased efficiency, productivity, or money saved.
  • Avoid passive constructions, bureaucratic phrasing and vague statements

English 101 Revisited

  • Absolutely no typos or grammatical errors.
  • Use personal “I” instead of third person.
  • Write in short, complete sentences (subject, verb, proper tense agreement).
  • Use common words and expressions instead of bureaucratic ones.
  • Economize on words and expressions, but not to a cryptic extreme.

Format

  • Keep length 1-2 pages for each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ).
  • Material should be easy to read:
  • Use paragraphs or bullets to separate items.
  • Use headings and subheadings to indicate categories.
  • Use all capital letters, bold or italics to highlight important information.
  • Leave some white space; don’t type margin to margin.
  • Avoid using small size type.
  • Don’t make reviewers hunt for experience (e.g., see attachments).
  • Put all relevant information in the ECQ writeup.
  • Application should be neat, clean, and typed.
  • Make sure photocopies are legible.
  • Don’t attach copies of training certificates, awards, or position descriptions.
  • Number all pages.
  • Don’t assume Spell-Check and Grammar-Check will catch all the errors; review every word.

Tone

  • Be friendly and professional, not stilted, formal, or chatty.
  • Avoid passive verbs; use active verbs with the personal “I”.

References

  • Make sure that individuals you reference can attest to your ability to perform the SES job and can speak to your specific competencies in the Executive Core Qualifications.
  • Contact references and tell them about positions for which you have applied.
  • Be sure reference information is current (e.g., telephone numbers, address)

More ECQ Writing Tips

  • Avoid statements that describe your personal beliefs, philosophies, or commitment to social or political causes unless you can show bottom line results.
  • Don’t reveal information about your political affiliation or activities unless you are using experience as a political appointee to qualify.
  • Don’t identify your race, sex, national origin, color, religion, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor.
  • When you’re finished, ask three people (preferably dispassionate and knowledgeable individuals) to review your application.