The Senior Executive Service (SES) is the executive management of the federal government. Individuals holding SES positions lead and oversee the federal government’s more than 250 agencies through managerial, supervisory and policy positions. SES leaders are also a vital link between the top Presidential appointees, such as the Secretary of Education, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State and the respective federal workforce.
Due to the level of responsibility, SES members must be “of the highest quality,” per the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. Becoming a candidate for an SES position starts with an SES resume, which is like a traditional federal resume, but with additional content that demonstrates the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ).
Learn more about SES resumes, from their types to differences from standard resumes, as well as view sample SES resumes and understand how to evaluate your resume for SES positions.
Federal Resume Writing Services
Client Testimonials
“I’m sure you guys appreciate feedback on how your SES products work out. I just wanted to let you know that it’s been 1 month since I got my new resume from you and I already have two interviews scheduled for awesome jobs including the stretch position of Washington State Forester that I started this whole thing for. The other is the Director of Forest Management for The Nature Conservancy. This has been an awesome experience and I just wanted to say thank you.” – Brad
“I wanted you to know that I was selected for SES today. Thank you so much for your help, and in particular, you clear disagreement when the comments from OPM. I humbly do believe, I am qualified for this posting, and I want to thank you again for helping me get there. With warm regards, Stephen”
“I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical and feared that I might get back a resume that felt like I was lying. However, after reading through the drafts and working with Jim, I am convinced. I don’t feel as though anything on my resume is dishonest or misrepresented. Although, I never would have thought to word it that way myself, I feel as though it is very accurate from a business or high-level perspective. This is excellent work!” Stephan L.”
How SES Resume Writers Helps
SES Resume Writers hires only the best resume writers. We look for certifications, training, experience and awards when we hire, and some of our writers include nominees and winners of the prestigious Toast of the Resume Industry awards.
We also use an internal control process to ensure that each resume is edited and proofread for the highest quality. In fact, we’re the only career services firm to have this additional step to ensure quality. We have more than 25 years of experience and have helped thousands of applicants land their dream jobs, make a career change and revitalize their professional lives with strong new resumes. We routinely work with veterans, c-suite executives and professionals making the change between the private and public sectors.
Our team has a 99.6% satisfaction ratio after having completed 65,000 resumes. In fact, we’re so confident that you’ll be thrilled with our high-touch and results-driven approach that we have a 100% guarantee to ensure you feel completely confident in our process.
Your SES Resume Writers Process
Your SES application can help you land your dream job, and our team understands how important this opportunity is. That’s why, when you contact SES Resume Writers, we’ll put you through an intensive process to get you the best and most competitive application possible. Whether you need a resume or an entire SES application, you’ll get in contact with your SES writer. Together, you’ll discuss the application, your qualifications and the details of your resume through email, phone calls and our own research.
Once this phase is complete, your SES writer will write your resume using the correct format, style and keywords that federal jobs demand. Your resume will then be reviewed by editors and a proofreader to ensure that it’s accurate and free of errors. You will then receive a draft of your resume and get a chance to review it with your writer. At this point, you’re ready to pursue your SES job opportunity.
To learn more about SES Resume Writers, our process and what we can do for you, contact SES Resume Writers today.
Standard Resume vs. SES Resumes
Federal government resumes, whether for an SES position or another government role, differ from standard resumes. Traditional resumes often include a brief, one- to two-page description of work experience and other important qualifications, which is accompanied by a one-page cover letter. SES resumes are typically five pages and sometimes a cover letter may also be included.
Resumes for federal positions also deviate from the traditional resume format for work experiences. This type of resume is much more comprehensive and requires your weekly number of hours, supervisor names and telephone numbers, work address and supervisor contact information.
Paragraphs are also easier to read and preferred in SES and federal government resumes for documenting your work experience, as well as accomplishments. Paragraphs allow you to use our signature. Bullet points are acceptable, but they are more suited for listing your publications, awards or known languages.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) are another fundamental difference between private-sector resumes, and for non-SES positions and SES resumes. ECQs are the five following qualifications:
- Leading change.
- Leading people.
- Results driven.
- Business acumen.
- Business coalitions.
The purpose of ECQs is to demonstrate your leadership qualifications through describing your challenge, context, action and result, or CCAR, through short paragraphs. ECQ narrative statements are your opportunity to show you’re a performance-driven candidate who gets results in a team and organizational environment. In traditional resumes, you may choose to prove similar points through short bulleted statements.
Types of SES Resumes we Write
SES resumes provide hiring managers with a 360-degree view of your relevant skills, experiences, achievements and overall qualifications for the listed job announcement.
Because of the depth of these resumes, which focuses on the five ECQs, as well as fundamental and 28 underlying competencies, the federal government is always working to develop a more seamless form of the SES resume.
Three types of SES resumes are used and reviewed by hiring managers:
Traditional SES Resumes
The traditional SES resume is 5 pages, aimed at providing hiring managers with an in-depth and detailed description of your relevant experiences.
ECQ-Based SES Resume
The ECQ-Based resume is similar to a traditional SES resume, but must include clear and specific evidence of the five ECQs. Browse our SES resume examples to see how each of these resumes are formatted, as well as how they demonstrate the ECQs.
One-on-One SES Resume Coaching
Submitting the best possible SES resume gives you the greatest chance of getting the job you want. One way to improve your resume is to get one-on-one coaching, offering personalized attention that helps you learn concepts and apply them to your writing.
With our coaching, you get instruction and assistance tailored to your needs. You can set yourself apart from others seeking the same job with a resume that aligns with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) standards while highlighting your accomplishments. Our Master Senior Executive Writer and Coach will work with you to create a resume that will make your credentials shine.
Working together, you will build a history of your employment over the past decade. We will discuss your greatest triumphs and future goals, helping to develop a resume that reflects your strengths and tells your story.
Collaborating with an expert at SES Resume Writers will teach you about best practices for SES resumes too. The typical one-on-one coaching process includes:
- Completing an initial 30- to 60-minute phone call with your coach, who will discuss their information-gathering process and field any questions you have.
- Gathering career documentation for your coach and answering our detailed resume questionnaire over the next week to two weeks. Your writer will follow up with questions and feedback.
- Waiting while your Master Senior Executive Writer and Coach drafts a new resume that includes your executive-level accomplishments and results within seven days of receiving your materials.
- Looking over the resume and submitting revisions, with a final resume ready for you just weeks after the process began.
Our One-on-One SES Resume Coaching service costs $2000, and you will finish our sessions with a resume you can confidently submit. Contact lee.kelley@careerprocenter.net for more information.
How We Service Your Resume
Standout SES resumes share several common traits, which are useful when evaluating your own resume. We consider the following questions when reviewing your resume:
- Does your resume cover the five ECQs? It’s essential that your SES resume demonstrates your ability to lead change and people, while also building coalitions and driving results. If your resume doesn’t include the five ECQs, hiring managers won’t ask for an interview.
- Does your resume feature quantifiable and qualitative results? Numbers are an effective, persuasive tool in any resume. Demonstrate the depth of your accomplishments or ECQ narratives to show hiring managers the results you’ve given past organizations, which are a good indication of the results you can provide a federal agency.
- Does your resume contain Specialized Experience? All vacancy announcements list specialized experience. Ensure you include a paragraph that describes and supports your specialized experience. Use our signature Headline Format to showcase your core competencies and/or experience and accomplishments that match the requirements of the specific SES job application.
- Does your resume use active voice? Use active voice instead of passive voice to capture a hiring manager’s attention. Active voice encourages reading, whereas passive voice can quickly become dull if used in every sentence.
- Does your resume include relevant experiences and leadership? Relevant experiences and leadership skills are a must for federal and SES resumes. Share the experiences that matter to strengthen your candidacy. Your role as a volunteer at a non-profit may shed light on your character, but the focus at this stage is on your skills and qualifications.
Understand, when you evaluate your SES resume, you’ll find reasons to edit or improve it. Editing is a natural step when writing any resume, especially one for an executive position that demands a high-level of performance and experience. Evaluating, proofreading and editing your resume are all steps that raise your chance of receiving an interview.
Write an SES Resume With SESWriters
Managing, leading and directing a team may pale in comparison to the challenge of writing an SES resume, which is why we offer a Senior Executive Service resume writing service that’s provided a substantial increase in your chances of receiving an interview. Our writers know exactly what Hiring Officials wish to see in SES Resumes.
At SESWriters, we have more than 37 years of experience writing SES resumes. Our team of award-winning and certified writers can help you with a career change, a transition to the public sector or a move to a higher-level position.
Competing for a DC-Area Position?
We’re Here to Provide SES Resume Writing Services
You’re interested in applying for an SES (Senior Executive Service) position in the Washington, D.C area, but where do you start? The federal government in Washington, D.C. is seeking men and women with well-honed executive leadership skills and qualifications that can continue to transform government at the highest levels. These positions offer a great salary and the career is very rewarding. Our DC SES resume writers have completed more than 58,000 corporate, military, and federal resumes and over 3,000 SES applications with a 99.6% customer satisfaction rate and 48% referral and repeat client rate.
Our federal executive government resume writers start by assessing your executive leadership strengths, talents, and skill set. Next, we help you flesh out executive leadership stories by utilizing our proven process and our signature builders. Our skilled DC SES resume writers will pay special attention when developing an individualized executive resume and ensure it is in compliance with federal and SES resume requirements. Our professional writers develop the content HR is looking for and match the experience required in the select vacancy announcement. We develop an artfully crafted five-page SES resume that is professionally written and highlights your executive leadership experience, accomplishments, and knowledge that will meet the hiring agencies and OPM’s expectations. Once your SES resume is developed, it can be tweaked for other positions within the Senior Executive Service in the Washington, D.C. area.
Learn more about our professional SES resume writing services, plus discover why we have a 99.6 percent customer satisfaction rate, by contacting us for a free career consultation today!
