Why Is It Important to Begin Your SES Application Early?

Far too often, aspiring “SES-ers” begin developing their application materials too late. In fact, they often wait until they find that “perfect” job, or until someone encourages them to apply, and then they end up scrambling to develop their materials at the last minute. Instead of thinking in terms of applying for one particular job, we recommend that you use a more general decision as a trigger to start getting prepared. In other words, the perfect time to develop your materials is once you decide that you know you want to try for the SES, and you are within six months of doing so.

Here are a few reasons why it’s important to start the process early:

• It is best to develop your federal resume and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), and then start seeking a specific position. Once you find a good fit, all you will have left to do is tailor your resume if necessary, and write any required Technical Qualifications (TQs).
• Waiting until the last minute causes stress, and diminishes the overall quality of your materials.
• Being prepared ahead of time enables you to apply early and with less stress. Every once in a while, an SES vacancy announcement closes early if enough candidates apply. Being among the first means you are in the running.
• If you develop your materials early, you have more time to obtain feedback from peers or professional coaches, etc.
• Although some people land the first SES position for which they apply, many more people apply for 3-10 or more jobs before landing an SES position.
• Writing your ECQs will take longer than you think.

Lee Kelley is an Iraq war veteran, former Army Captain, and author who now serves as the senior writer on CareerPro Global’s writing team. Leveraging the company’s vast expertise in assisting thousands of SES and federal job seekers, Lee has personally developed hundreds of resumes and more than a thousand ECQs. He is also the Director of Training and Veteran Transitions, and has provided USAJOBS resume-writing workshops to hundreds of federal employees and military personnel. In addition, Lee co-authored the book, Roadmap to the Senior Executive Service: How to Find SES Jobs, Determine Your Qualifications, and Develop Your SES Application. His latest book is titled, Inside Marine One: Four U.S. Presidents, One Proud Marine, and the World’s Most Amazing Helicopter.