Solutions for the Workplace, LLC, is a leader in helping you prepare for success with your Senior Executive Service (SES) application package. The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) define the leadership competencies required for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES). While the SES selection process has changed and the former 10-page ECQ narrative requirement has been eliminated, the ECQs remain central to how executive candidates are evaluated.
Today’s SES candidates must demonstrate executive leadership experience through a combination of a strong SES resume and structured interviews aligned to the ECQs and their associated sub-competencies. Understanding these qualifications is essential because they provide the framework agencies use to assess executive potential, leadership effectiveness, and readiness for the Senior Executive Service.
Below are the current ECQs and their associated sub-competencies.
The 5 ECQs are:
- Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
- Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
- Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
- Leading People: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high- accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
- Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
In addition to the 5 ECQs (known as meta ECQs), each ECQ has 3 sub-competencies:
| Meta ECQ | Sub-Competencies |
| Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. | Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation. |
| Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self- government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently. | |
| Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a commitment to serve the American people. | |
| Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. | Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals. Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities. |
| Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs. | |
| Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems. | |
| Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. | Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain. |
| Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data- driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems. | |
| Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions. Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. | |
| Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. | Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. |
| Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes. | |
| Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate. | |
| Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. | Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation. |
| Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements. | |
| Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values. |
Need Help Preparing for the New SES Process?
Understanding the ECQs is only the first step. Successful SES candidates must be able to demonstrate these competencies through a well-developed executive resume and clearly articulated leadership stories during structured interviews.
At Solutions for the Workplace, we help aspiring SES candidates translate their accomplishments into compelling executive-level examples aligned with the current ECQs and sub-competencies. Our services include SES resume development, ECQ Structured Interview Outline preparation, executive interview coaching, and strategic guidance throughout the SES selection process.
Learn more about our Senior Executive Service Resumes & Writing Services or contact us to get started.