Streamlining a comprehensive account of your public service tenure and executive credentials into a concise two-page resume
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced significant changes to the application process for Senior Executive Service (SES) positions, moving from the traditional five-page resume to a concise two-page format. This shift, effective from May 29th, is part of a broader effort to streamline the hiring process and align with the new Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) process.
The change to a two-page resume is causing executives who have worked their way up in the federal government to reverse their thought process and writing style. According to Diane Hudson, the Director of the Certified Professional Career Coach Program at the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches, this transition requires a strategic, competency-driven format that highlights leadership through demonstrated achievements tied to SES core qualifications.
The new SES resume must include all the competencies from the 10-page essays and technical qualification competencies that are directly related to the specific job. To help individuals understand these new competencies, HR and OPM personnel, as well as the boards reviewing resumes and packages, will need to be re-trained.
In addition to the resume changes, OPM is also incorporating structured interviews as part of the new application process for SES positions. The details of the structured interviews are not specified in the interview transcript.
To optimize your SES application, focus on a tailored Executive Summary that quickly showcases your experience, leadership skills, and top accomplishments relevant to SES competencies such as Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen, and Building Coalitions. Craft an Experience Summary or Core Competencies section that explicitly lists competencies and leadership skills required in SES.
Structure professional experience entries to showcase impact against SES competencies, using a results-oriented approach, framing each role with context, your leadership actions, and quantified achievements. Integrate metrics relevant to your leadership impact to demonstrate capabilities under Results Driven and Business Acumen. Explicitly mention scenarios illustrating your abilities to lead change and build coalitions, addressing SES-specific competencies and structured interview focus areas.
The new hiring timeline is 80 calendar days, down from 90 working days. It is important to read job announcements in their entirety and pay attention to updates on USAJOBS and OPM. Failure to provide required documents such as transcripts or military documentation can result in disqualification.
OPM will provide a sample resume and define the competencies more thoroughly before October 1st, marking the end of the transition period from the old to the new structure. By targeting your two-page resume around these SES structured interview competencies and using strong, results-driven language, you optimize both applicant tracking systems and human reviewers’ recognition of your fit for SES leadership roles.
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