Guide on Condensing Your Entire Public Service and Executive Experience into a Two-Page Resume
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced a significant change in the application process for SES positions, effective from May 29th. The key change is the requirement for a two-page SES resume, replacing the previous five-page format.
Embracing the Two-Page Limit
All SES applications must now be limited to a two-page SES resume, with no separate Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Technical Qualifications (TQs) submissions. All qualifications, including new ECQs, must be embedded directly in the resume.
Structuring Your Resume for Clarity
To make your resume easy to read, organise it with clear headings for Contact Information, Executive Summary/Profile, Core Competencies (aligned with new SES competencies), Professional Experience, and Education and Training.
Crafting a Powerful Executive Summary/Profile
Summarise your SES-level qualifications succinctly, highlighting leadership roles, industry expertise, and key achievements. Emphasise your ability to produce results aligned with organisational goals and the new SES competencies.
Incorporating the New ECQs and Competencies
Since no separate ECQ narratives are required, integrate accomplishments and qualifications directly relevant to the new Executive Core Qualifications into your professional experience section. Use bullet points to demonstrate your ability to deliver measurable results, lead with integrity, drive innovation, and manage complex projects.
Utilising a Combination Resume Format
For an executive with diverse skills and a clear career progression, a combination resume format can highlight both your skills and work history effectively on two pages.
Employing Impactful Action Verbs and Keywords
Tailor language to reflect leadership and results, using action verbs such as "spearheaded," "executed," "optimized," and "led multi-disciplinary teams." Incorporate industry-unique and SES-relevant keywords to build relevance.
With these steps in mind, your two-page SES resume should effectively integrate the new OPM ECQs and competencies into a well-organised, achievement-focused document that clearly demonstrates your capacity for senior federal leadership roles.
For further guidance, consult SES-specific resume examples updated for the 2025 process. Clients are advised to read announcements in their entirety and pay attention to updates on USAJOBS and OPM for the next four to five months.
The change to a two-page resume and structured interviews is expected to significantly alter the culture and thought process of federal executives. OPM will put together a sample resume and define the competencies more thoroughly before October 1st. The number of competencies for SES positions has decreased from about 28 to 15.
Diane Hudson, the Director of the Certified Professional Career Coach Program at the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches, interviews clients thoroughly to help them identify and map out their accomplishment stories to all of the new SES competencies.
- In the new application process for SES positions, the workforce reimagined must structure their resumes with clear headings, demonstrating their career-development and education-and-self-development through the utilisation of a two-page SES resume.
- With the federal workforce adjusting to the workings of a two-page SES resume, they should incorporate impactful action verbs and keywords, aiming to effectively showcase their leadership abilities and capacity for success in the civil service.
