ECQ Examples

What are the ECQs? We’re not talking about what the acronym stands for or the terms themselves. What do they mean? What does the SES look for when they talk about driving results or building coalitions? Why are these competencies necessary for employment in the SES? What will they tell about you, your experiences, your skills and your drive?

There are 28 competencies that comprise these five qualifications and your statement should reflect concrete examples of how your experience speaks to these competencies. A number of these fit organically within each of the categories. For example, Leading Change considers competencies such as vision, flexibility and strategic thinking. A solid Business Acumen story should showcase your financial, human capital and technology management. Your Building Coalitions example should touch upon your ability to build partnerships and be politically savvy enough to influence and network with others.

Take the time to consider each qualification on this list and how your stories can best address them. Diving deep into this mindset is possibly the most important tip we can offer.

Even in this unique writing style we call ECQs, Business Acumen stands out as a little bit different. Of course, each ECQ should be executive in scope, fall within the past 10 years, follow the Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) format, include impactful results, and address the specific competencies.

For example, your Leading People ECQ will ideally include two career stories that address the competencies of team building, developing others, conflict management, and leveraging diversity. Business Acumen has three competencies (Financial Management, Human Capital Management, and Technology Management), but unlike the other ECQs, they don’t always “flow” as naturally together. In fact, many people find it extremely difficult to think of career stories that incorporate all three of the Business Acumen competencies. And even when they do, the stories tend to be overly dense and confusing because there’s just too much information packed in there, and we’ve found that the review board doesn’t like this approach.

Here is a highly effective best practice and perspective to consider for Business Acumen: Imagine you are on the review board. You may be reading career stories from a senior military officer, a corporate executive, or a seasoned federal manager. Moreover, the setting could be anywhere in the world, from the boardroom, to the battlefield, to countless other work environments. Regardless of the applicant’s background or the setting, you need to be able to see that the applicant is comfortable and capable in managing the financial, human capital, and technological aspects of programs and organizations.

So, when writing your Business Acumen examples, think of this particular ECQ as three “mini-ECQs,” instead of trying to combine the topics of financial, human capital, and technology management. The examples may have to be a bit shorter than normal, since all three still have to fit within the two-page limit. Additionally, the three CCAR examples can come from different positions or programs within the past 10 years, or they can come from the same position, but they should stand on their own.

Ultimately, by taking this straightforward approach, you can more clearly present your top career stories while effectively addressing the Business Acumen competencies.

The more samples you read, the tighter your grasp will be on exactly what the SES looks for in applicants. There are plenty of options that can give you a sense of what works and what doesn’t, and provide inspiration for examples you can pull from your own professional experience. Take a look at these examples of the “Leading Change” or “Leading People” qualifications to get started.

This goes beyond a knowledge of the CCAR method, although an understanding of this narrative flow is important to understand. Make a note of what information is needed. For example, think relevant context, specific numbers, sustainable impact and any lasting lesson learned. Make sure this ties directly into the overarching picture: How have your achievements made you the right fit for this job?

You likely have a plethora of shining success stories to choose from. However, we advise against thinking of these career highlights first and then trying to forcibly package them into whichever competency you feel works best. Make sure that they truly reflect the heart of the qualification you’re attempting to portray before beginning your ECQ statement. The more specific and relevant to the ECQs your examples are, the stronger your application will be.

There are a few different approaches you may want to try:

• Select an example and compare it to the list of five competencies
• Analyze how it addresses the core of these competencies — and whether any are a natural fit
• Begin to draw out the parallels as clearly and directly as you can

Once you have a roadmap in mind, you’re ready to begin writing.

For more insight into writing your own ECQs, we’ve compiled an online training manual that will help you along your way. If you need help evaluating your relevant experience and mapping it to the competencies, you can benefit from the guidance of a trained professional walking you through the nuances and challenges involved.