ECQ Writing Help

Writing Effective Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ)

• The Senior Executive Service (SES) needs people who can demonstrate, through their leadership and management accomplishments, which they are in a position to lead now. This is not the place to write about how you developed skills.
• Remember that you are writing executive summaries, not biographies. If you need more than one page, make certain that every word is important to convey your full leadership abilities.
• The SES needs people who are ready to lead in todays environment. Use recent examples as much as possible. What have you done lately?
• Spell out all acronyms.
• Describe recent education and training that enhanced your skills in a particular Executive Core Qualification (ECQ). Try not to go back any longer than 5 years, if possible.
• Include non-Federal experience (e.g., private sector, volunteer and professional organizations) if it demonstrates executive qualifications.
• Dont forget to include special assignments (e.g., details, task forces, committees) if they are relevant to an ECQ.
• Avoid statements that describe your personal beliefs or philosophies; focus on specific challenges and results.
• Include awards that relate specifically to an ECQ.
• If possible, quantify/qualify your accomplishments.
• Focus on leadership rather than managerial and technical abilities; all three are important, but leadership is more important.
• Show your experience in all 5 Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
• Follow the Challenge-Context-Action-Result model.
• Each ECQ should contain specific, job-related experiences with specific accomplishments.
• Never combine any of the ECQs.
• Never address an ECQ by referring the reader to other parts of your application (e.g., resume).
• Avoid using an identical example for more than one ECQ.
• Avoid a laundry list of activities without context, actions, or accomplishments.
• Focus on your vision for the organization not your personal vision.
• Highlight awards or other forms of recognition that relate specifically to an ECQ.
• Include relevant formal education or training that has enhanced your skills in a particular ECQ.
• Include special qualifications: public speaking, publications, languages spoken, membership in related professional organizations or scientific societies, or expertise in a technical area (e.g., budget, information technology).
• Show measurable results, especially in terms of improved customer service, increased efficiency, productivity, or money saved.
• Avoid passive constructions, or bureaucratic phrasing.
• Avoid vague statements

  English 101 Revisited

• Absolutely no typos or grammatical errors.
• Use personal "I" instead of third person.
• Write in short, complete sentences (subject, verb, proper tense agreement).
• Use common words and expressions instead of bureaucratic ones.
• Economize on words and expressions, but not to a cryptic extreme.

  Format

• Keep length 1-2 pages for each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ).
• Material should be easy to read:
• Use paragraphs or bullets to separate items.
• Use headings and subheadings to indicate categories.
• Use all capital letters, bold or italics to highlight important information.
• Leave some white space; dont type margin to margin.
• Avoid using small size type.
• Dont make reviewers hunt for experience (e.g., see attachments).
• Put all relevant information in the ECQ writeup.
• Application should be neat, clean, and typed.
• Make sure photocopies are legible.
• Dont attach copies of training certificates, awards, or position descriptions.
• Number all pages.
• Dont assume Spell-Check and Grammar-Check will catch all the errors; review every word.

  Tone

• Be friendly and professional, not stilted, formal, or chatty.
• Avoid passive verbs; use active verbs with the personal "I".

  References

• Make sure that individuals you reference can attest to your ability to perform the SES job and can speak to your specific competencies in the Executive Core Qualifications.
• Contact references and tell them about positions for which you have applied.
• Be sure reference information is current (e.g., telephone numbers, address)

  More Tips

• Avoid statements that describe your personal beliefs, philosophies, or commitment to social or political causes unless you can show bottom line results.
• Dont reveal information about your political affiliation or activities unless you are using experience as a political appointee to qualify.
• Dont identify your race, sex, national origin, color, religion, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor.
• When youre finished, ask three people (preferably dispassionate and knowledgeable individuals) to review your application.