Making the leap from a GS-15 or equivalent role to the Senior Executive Service (SES) requires more than just experience—it requires strategic positioning. Many federal employees want to advance but struggle with the transition because they don’t know how to present themselves as SES-ready.
If you’re serious about moving up, you need to approach your executive job search with a clear plan. SES hiring is highly competitive, and even the most qualified candidates can get overlooked if they don’t frame their experience the right way. Here’s how to make sure you stand out and get selected for an SES role.
Understand What SES Hiring Managers Look For
SES positions are about enterprise-wide leadership, strategic vision, and decision-making at the highest levels of government. You need to prove you’re not just good at your job—you’re ready to lead on a broad scale.
Hiring managers evaluate candidates based on:
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Your ability to lead change, manage people, drive results, and build coalitions. Learn more about the latest ECQ updates here.
Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) & Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs): Your agency-specific expertise and ability to apply technical knowledge at a leadership level. Get tips on writing strong MTQs and PTQs here.
Leadership at Scale: SES roles require you to think beyond your department and influence policies, budgets, and major federal initiatives.
For official SES hiring policies, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Optimize Your Federal Resume for SES Roles
Your federal executive resume needs to be tailored for SES positions. Unlike traditional resumes, SES resumes:
.Are longer (typically 5 pages or more) to showcase executive leadership experience.
.Use powerful leadership narratives instead of listing responsibilities.
.Align with OPM’s ECQ framework to demonstrate SES-level competencies.
Your resume must tell a clear story of how you’ve led at the enterprise level, managed large-scale programs, and influenced policy. If your current resume isn’t SES-ready, we can help. Check out our SES resume services here.
Strengthen Your ECQs with the Right Stories
Many SES candidates struggle with ECQs because they either:
.Write in a vague, generic way without specific examples.
.Focus on technical expertise rather than executive leadership.
.Fail to follow the Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) model.
Your ECQs must tell a compelling leadership story that clearly demonstrates how you solve high-level problems, drive change, and lead teams effectively. Get a step-by-step guide on writing ECQs that get results here.
Network the Right Way
Many SES positions are filled through networking and internal recommendations before they even get posted. If you’re only applying through USAJOBS, you might be missing opportunities.
To boost your chances, you should:
.Connect with current SES members in your agency to learn about upcoming openings.
.Build relationships with hiring managers and executive mentors.
.Attend SES prep programs and leadership forums to get on the radar.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SES Candidate Development Program is an example of an initiative that helps prepare federal employees for SES roles.
Final Thoughts: Position Yourself for SES Success
SES hiring is competitive, but if you understand what hiring managers are looking for, refine your executive resume, and write strong ECQs, you’ll be far ahead of the competition. If you’re ready to take the next step in your executive job search, don’t go at it alone. Contact us today for expert SES resume writing and career guidance.
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