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Return to Article: Getting to the SES

• 25607
  

  Wow. Alot of negativity on advancement in most comments. Whether you like it or not, advancement is not determined on performance or ability. Those itmes jsut get you an interview and consideration. Everyone is expected to be a quality candidate at their current level. It is the extra things like performing at higher levels without compensation, having mobility and working in different areas and environments, having an image that you represent to others in higher positions, and yes, having a sponser at a higher level in the organization that knows you and believes you to be fully capabable at the next level. A great book by Harvey Coleman, "Empowering Yourself", talks about the unwritten rules of advancement in the corporate world. Many of these concepts are true in government as well. Bottom line, it takes sacrifices in other areas of your life to put yourself in the best position for advancement. Many people think they can just sit in one place and then they are due a promotion.

  Kevin Bird Posted June 14, 2007 9:01 AM
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  Dear Federal Employee,

  After what I have seen and experienced in the last 6 years of federal service in this administration-- anyone would be preferable to the current lot of 6,000 SES "professional managers" who don't have a clue about management. Unlike the Housewives you refer to, many of these current SESers have no common sense, and worse- they have no guts to give their political bosses the back of the barn "whupping" many of these political hacks deserve.

  They have taken a whupping for the last 6 years-- to any career SESer reading this, don't you think it is time to take back your program, and save your employees, from those political know nothing White House hacks you report to???

  Or are you so whupped you could care less about the program or the people?

  HR Specialist Posted June 6, 2007 2:22 PM
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  RE: HR Specialist comments- so true.. maybe they should recruit from full time house wives since they meet the SES Criteria ..Developing people, Managing a budget, Managing programs...

  Federal Employee Posted June 5, 2007 12:25 PM
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  The career Senior Executive Service today gets paid very well, has a huge amount of responsibility and almost no authority because the politicals have an agenda that is opposite to that of careerists. Why would you even want an SES position working for a political know nothing whose mission is to destroy your program? I can think of easier ways to get an ulcer.

  And isn't it interesting that OPM selection criteria, the ECQs-- Executive Core Qualifications was developed in 1991. I've filled out these ECQ narratives-- they definitely have no corrolation to real leadership ability. Managing Programs, Managing a Budget, Managing People- the categories couldn't be broader.

  As with most things in the today's federal government, it all boils down to who you know and what strings you can pull to get a position you are not qualified for.

  HR Specialist Posted June 4, 2007 10:19 AM
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  I'm a GS12 and a retired Navy Senior Chief. The ability to lead doesn't come from a book nor is it learned in a class room but rather from experience. Domain expertise is the key; coupled with the desire to lead people to achieve a goal is paramount to success. One very important thing all (successful) Navy leaders understand is; take care of the troops first and then the mission will always be successful. No need to micro manage because the folks know their jobs better than management. Try running a squadron maintenance department and you'll see the arrogance in thinking you can micro manage. I've mentored my share of interns/keystones who have gone on to successful careers so I understand the need for training, while training is a key element, an experienced successful leader is one who leads not manages. It's a waste of valuable human capital to assume leaders at the SES level must first come from the GS15 ranks. Being a GS15 does not make you a leader. There is an understanding in the Navy that you are either the CHIEF, or an E8, I'll take the chief any day.

  mike Posted June 4, 2007 9:12 AM
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  Any one that thinks promotion is based upon merit is not living in the real world. Promotions are based upon face-time with the 2nd line supervisor. I am not referring to political appointees. I see "children" promoted to very high levels based upon who they know and not their abilities. It is a shame that the United States Government has descended to these depths.

  R. David Fischer Posted June 4, 2007 9:09 AM
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  As a military officer I have a good understanding of what it takes to get promoted. In my career field I work with many civilians, and from my conversations with them the whole SES system is a bit of a mystery that no one quite understands. Its almost like some secret society and you have to have a sponsor that is an SES to get access.

  Roger Westermeyer Posted June 1, 2007 11:28 AM
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  Its a shame that we have GS4s and up with College degrees and yet they can't advance to that level

  Leonora Posted June 1, 2007 10:36 AM
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  You make it sound so easy to get into the programs you suggest, and money may not be a problem.

  But with very little upward mobility or career advancement in the Government. only a select few are given even a small chance of entering the GS12-14 level. Most reach GS 11 step 10's and retire unless you are one of those chosen and selected or allowed to move upward.

  Many with college degrees and backgrounds are prevented(even stopped) from entering upper programs because the upper management doesn't want them to advance. Or "have trained and mentored others to the disliking of some of the upper management".

  The buddy system still exists when advancement is concerned. Not an easy task to endure when you are not one of the buddies. Advancement is not on the priority list in the Government. Training of its leaders remains non existent and has held many young keystones from advancing. All the agency wants is a warm body filling a spot (FTE), without training or advancement, most drop out.

  Your article is good but to many barriers exist in the lower levels which prevent even a glitter of an attempt to reach the SES ranks.

  Rosalio Gandara Posted May 31, 2007 10:41 AM