Agency Training

SES Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) Writing Workshop

This workshop will empower all participants to apply for Senior Executive Service (SES) positions.

Presented in one-day or two-day sessions, this writing workshop is highly effective for executives who want to feel confident in their personal plan for writing and submitting a successful SES package

Unique Top Ten Method

Our SES ECQ Writing Workshop teaches a unique approach based on The New SES Application, 2nd Edition.

In our SES Writing Workshop, participants will follow our exclusive method to develop SES ECQ packages in response to targeted announcements. Participants will:

  • Come with their Top Ten Accomplishments ready, or write their Top Five in class.
  • Map their Top Ten Accomplishments into the ECQs. 
  • Start with a 1,500 character short CCAR, then expand to 4,000 character required length with more detail.
  • Review the CCAR for the Leadership Competencies that must be visible for the QRB readers.
  • Use Plain Language in 12-point Times New Roman with 1-inch margins.

SES ECQ Course Text

Each participant will be required to purchase a print copy or PDF of The New SES Application, 2nd ed.

Our SES ECQ Writing Workshop covers all potentially required formats:

  • The traditional application package with ten-page ECQ narratives following the mandatory CCAR structure and covering the 28 Leadership Competencies
  • The new five- or eight-page resume-based formats with ECQs and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) included or presented in separate narratives
  • The new accomplishment record-based format with abbreviated narratives

Executive-Level Writing, Simplified

Executives are expert, knowledgeable, and experienced, but they still struggle with writing Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs), and the SES resume for the ultimate promotion in federal government – Senior Executive Service.

The New SES Application, 2nd Ed. will facilitate their writing of new resumes and ECQ sections in class. Participants will learn a new way of thinking and writing about senior management positions in government and their role in current or future government leadership.

Write Your ECQ Accomplishments Using Active Voice

The workshop includes a 90-minute segment on Executive Plain Language by Steve McKenna, PhD.

Key Course Objectives

  • Learn about the SES hiring process.
  • Understand the history and purpose behind the ECQs.
  • Understand the OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) score sheet and how ECQs are scored.
  • Receive instructor feedback and insight about the best executive story-telling techniques.
  • Write and share two CCAR ECQs during the class.
  • Demonstrate in writing the applicant’s decision-making, leadership, and organizational abilities.
  • Create impressive work experience descriptions.
  • Write outstanding profile statements at the executive level.
  • Analyze technical and managerial factors.
  • Understand how to address and write powerful and effective MTQs.
  • Create attention-grabbing cover letters for SES application packages.

Course Format

Custom Collaborative Workshops

Write, share drafts, give and receive feedback, and build a network of supportive peers.

Whether delivered virtually or in-person, this course is presented as an interactive workshop in which participants will write and share their drafts with their peers, give and receive feedback, and create a network of supportive contacts.

Our methods are designed to help participants recognize and communicate their own unique strengths. Instructional methods include:

  • In-class exercises focusing on accomplishments
  • Interviewing, brainstorming, writing, and sharing ECQ examples
  • Analysis of announcements for target language
  • Incorporation of the 28 Leadership Competencies

Half-Day SES ECQ Writing Training Workshop

Half-Day Workshop
$3555
$ 3,386 Commercial vs Government Training Rates*
  • 4 Hours of Training
  • 2 Breakouts
    Small Group Writing Exercises
  • Up to 20 Attendees
  • Offered virtually or in-person
  • Additional Attendees $274 per person
  • Work Directly with Kathryn Troutman or Resume Place, Inc. SES ECQ Writing / Training Experts
Get Training Quote
*Travel Not Included In Fees

Full Day SES ECQ Writing Training Workshop

One-Day Workshop
$5760
$ 5,486 Commercial vs Government Training Rates*
  • 1 Full Day of Training
  • 3 Breakouts
    Small Group Writing Exercises
  • Up to 20 Attendees
  • Offered virtually or in-person
  • Additional Attendees $274 per person
  • Work Directly with Kathryn Troutman or Resume Place, Inc. SES ECQ Writing / Training Experts
Get Training Quote​
*Travel Not Included In Fees

Two-Day SES ECQ Writing Training Workshop

Two-Day Workshop
$11520
$ 10,972 Commercial vs Government Training Rates*
  • 2 Full Days of Training
  • 6 Breakouts
    Small Group Writing Exercises
  • Up to 20 Attendees
  • Offered virtually or in-person
  • Additional Attendees $274 per person
  • Work Directly with Kathryn Troutman or Resume Place, Inc. SES ECQ Writing / Training Experts
Get Training Quote​
*Travel Not Included In Fees

Sample AGendas

SES 
ECQ Writing Workshop

Preferred classroom format: Virtual training via the Zoom platform​

Active participation in chats, interviews, and peer-review workshops is required. The instructor will adapt the curriculum to address participants’ unique needs and concerns and identify class members who may need individual support outside of class.

In this engaging course, participants will:

  • Learn definitions of the 28 SES Leadership Competencies.
  • Learn how to write accomplishment stories in the Context, Challenge, Action, Results (CCAR) format.
  • Learn which types of stories match with which competencies.

Day One

Three Breakouts

  • Warm-up Activity
    Write 2-3 of your Top Ten List of Accomplishments
  • Breakout: Sharing Top Accomplishments
    Sharing Top 2 or 3 in Small Groups
  • Brief History of SES ECQs​
  • Warm-Up for Accomplishment Writing
  • Top 3-5 List of Accomplishments
  • Breakout: Mapping Accomplishments to ECQs
    Sharing top 2 or 3 in Small Groups
  • Overview of the Five ECQs
  • Overview of the 5-page SES Resume
  • Distinguishing Accomplishments from Duties
  • Distinguishing Management from Leadership
  • CCAR Writing Model
  • Leading Change ECQ
  • Breakout: Leading Change Writing Exercise
    Small Group Writing Exercise
  • Executive Plain Language Writing
  • Leading People ECQ
  • Leading People Writing Exercise + Break-out
  • Day 1 Wrap-Up

Day Two

Three Breakouts

  • Accomplishments vs. Duties
  • Result Driven ECQs
  • Breakout: Results Driven Writing Exercise
    Small Group Writing Exercise
  • Business Acumen ECQ
  • Breakout: Business Acumen Writing Exercise
    Small Group Writing Exercise
  • Building Coalitions ECQ
  • Breakout: Building Coalitions Writing Exercise
    Small Group Writing Exercise
  • SES Structured Interview Preparation and Practice
  • Q&A Session
  • Wrap-up
    Next Steps and Evaluation

One-Day Workshop

Three Breakouts

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Review Program Goals
  • Warm-up Activity
    Write 2-3 of your Top Ten List of Accomplishments
  • Breakout: Sharing Top Accomplishments
    Sharing Top 2 or 3 in Small Groups
  • Brief History of SES ECQs​
  • Importance of ECQs for Federal Executives
  • Overview of the Five ECQs
  • Overview of the 5-page SES Resume
  • Distinguishing Accomplishments from Duties
  • Distinguishing Management from Leadership
  • CCAR Writing Model
  • Leading Change ECQ
  • Breakout: Leading Change Writing Exercise
    Small-group Writing Exercise
  • Business Acumen ECQ
  • Breakout: Business Acumen Writing Exercise
    Small-group Writing Exercise
  • Executive Plain Language Writing
  • Breakout: Building Coalitions Writing Exercise
    Small-group Writing Exercise
  • Mapping Accomplishments to ECQs
  • 5-Page Resume Writing Tips
  • QRB Top Ten Rejection Statements
  • Wrap-up
    Next Steps and Evaluation

Half Day Workshop

Two Breakouts

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Review Program Goals and Warm-up Activity
  • Brief History of SES ECQs​
  • Importance of ECQs for Federal Executives
  • Distinguishing Accomplishments from Duties
  • Distinguishing Management from Leadership
  • Overview of the 5-Page SES Resume
  • CCAR Writing Model
  • Leading Change ECQ
  • Breakout: Leading Change Writing Exercise
    Small-group Writing Exercise
  • Leading People ECQ
  • Results Driven ECQ
  • Breakout: Results Driven Writing Exercise
    Small-group Writing Exercise
  • Business Acumen ECQ
  • Building Coalitions ECQ
  • Mapping Accomplishments to ECQs
  • The Ultimate 5-page SES Resume
  • Wrap-up
    Next Steps and Evaluation

Course Outcomes

In this engaging course, participants will be inspired to keep writing and working on their ECQs. Executives will learn definitions of the 28 SES competencies, how to write accomplishment stories in the Context, Challenge, Action, Results (CCAR) format, and which types of stories work for each competency.

Executives will complete the course with a clear understanding of the basic expectations of the executive federal resume, including length and style, and how to integrate ECQs into each job block.

Participants will learn how MTQs differ from ECQs, how to write effective MTQs, and how and when resumes and MTQs are graded. We will also discuss how to identify and address any gaps in their Top Ten accomplishments, the top reasons SES packages are rejected, and how to avoid these mistakes

Evaluation by Rebecca Biggio, PhD, Instructional Systems Specialist

All our programs use the Kirkpatrick methodology to solicit and assess feedback and to continuously improve participant experiences and program effectiveness.

Rebecca Biggio, PhD, Instructional Systems Specialist, has completed the Kirkpatrick Partners Four Level® Evaluation Certification Program and is certified at the Bronze Level.