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.
As of July 2025, some of the ECQs and competencies have been modified, so we will update this website accordingly once OPM releases the information.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) are the leadership skills, designated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), required for entering the Senior Executive Service (SES). The statistically validated OPM ECQs have served as the foundation for selection and OPM leadership development for federal executives across government positions for many years. Using the ECQs to appraise and recognize federal executives will complete a holistic approach not only for selecting and developing federal executives, but also for appraising, recognizing, and retaining a cadre of high-performing federal executives. Below are the five OPM ECQs.
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.
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.
This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
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
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
CareerPro Global has almost four decades of career expertise successfully developing executive federal applications. As a Quality Management System driven company we have developed an Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that is incorporated into every document we develop. Your Executive Core Qualifications will be developed in compliance with the Challenge, Context, Action, and Result (CCAR) model, incorporating the sub-competencies.
The most important characteristics of ECQs, whether written in your resume or verbalized during an interview, are specific and recent examples. They must demonstrate how your leadership skills can help build a federal corporate culture that strives for efficiency, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions, both within and outside the federal agencies. You will not find a more experienced team of SES ECQ coaches/writers that is trained in all current federal requirements and knows how to guide you through the contemplative process of developing ECQ examples.
We recommend you develop two examples per OPM ECQ category, which you can use in your new SES resume and ECQ-based interview.
Executive Core Qualification writers can take many hours to assist you in fleshing out five executive leadership stories and developing your stories. Our fees are priced individually and fairly. Our Master Federal Career Advisors will provide you with a free quote. 800-471-9201.
CareerPro Global, Inc. is the only company in the Career Services Industry that employs a defined Quality Management System with a detailed SOP to ensure the production of quality deliverables. To date, we have written more than 5,000 sets of OPM ECQs and have not had one set disqualified by a QRB. We are extremely proud of our track record.
Speak with one of our Career Advisors to determine whether our SES resume writing services are for you and how we can assist in developing for you an extremely competitive SES Application. Call 800-471-9201 for a no-cost consult. Click on the GET STARTED NOW button and send us a copy of your resume and SES job vacancy of interest or a sample SES vacancy so we can better assist you.
