Welcome to the RP CCAR Builder. Thousands of Federal jobseekers have used the CCAR Builder to present their accomplishments in a stories in a compelling manner, using the CCAR structure. For more than 20 years, Resume Place, Inc., has provided this easy-to-use, online writing tool – for free – enabling candidates to document their best accomplishments. The Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) writing format will help you present each step of what might have been a complex accomplishment: identifying YOUR Challenges, the Context or situation, the specific Actions you took to address the matter,  and finally the Results  that mattered. Start writing and structure your story for concise presentation within the required 2-page Federal Resume as well as in preparation for your interview. 

WRITING YOUR 2-PAGE FEDERAL RESUME? ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE MANDATORY.

Accomplishments are critical for the success of your 2-page Federal Resume. You will need to include enough accomplishments to cement the knowledge, skills, and expertise identified in the announcement. Having framed your examples using the CCAR format, you can now synopsize the CCAR story, using AI as permitted or desired, into a far shorter version – for example, 45 words – to meet the hiring agency’s formatting requirements.

PREPARING FOR AN SES INTERVIEW WITH ECQS?  THE CCAR IS MANDATORY.

The new Qualifications Review Board (QRB) Interview requires candidates to orally present relevant, executive level experiences and accomplishments addressing the new ECQs and their sub-competencies. This must be done in a clear, concise and organized manner. ECQ requirements can be met by describing, in response to an interview question, one or two relevant leadership level accomplishments. The new SES Guide makes it clear the QRB is looking for specific challenges, actions and results. The CCAR model enables candidates to frame their accomplishments and present them in the most compelling manner.

 

CCAR FORM 

THE RESULTS OF THIS FORM WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL IN ONE MINUTE!

  • (just type a sample target agency or company name)
  • Write the title of your accomplishment story here. The title will help you remember for the job interview and for your resume.

    Example of title: Saved the Monk Seal
  • Describe a specific problem or goal that YOU needed to overcome or accomplish. There could be multiple challenges.

    CHALLENGE Example: As a NOAA Senior Scientist, program lead and wildlife steward in Honolulu, I was called upon to address the impending extinction of one of our most endangered species. In doing so, I took on the challenge of transforming our Monk Seal program from a mere monitoring initiative into a world-class conservation program.
  • Add your job title, agency, office, state, country, and the year of this CCAR story. Describe the situation, environment, or external drives that created the challenge or problem. Give the back story: was it low morale, a shrinking budget, or a Congressional directive? Was time of the essence? What would the impact be if the problem/challenge were not overcome?

    CONTEXT Example: In 2023 as the Senior Scientist at the Pacific Fisheries Science Center's Monk Seal program in Honolulu, Hawaii, I could see that the monitoring program was longstanding but ineffective. The Monk Seal had been in decline since the 1970s. The Center had only monitored the Monk Seal, which was not enough. I directed the research efforts to recover and conserve the protected species.
  • Discuss the specific actions YOU (use "I" not "we") took to address the challenge. Do not merely summarize or make assertions, but describe what you did in fact, presenting it in a linear fashion. (First I did this, then I did that, etc.)

    ACTIONS Example: I first collected, reviewed, evaluated, and summarized existing research. I then used this information to brief PFSC leaders and persuade them to accept my recommendations for undertaking new and essential conservation efforts. I presented an action plan for implementing the changes, leveraging existing and new resources, and laid out specific goals that I hoped our revamped program would achieve. I thereby earned leadership's approval, and secured substantial funding, including $11M in budget reprogramming, and stood up the new program.
  • Think about this: How important was this accomplishment?
    What would have happened if you had not achieved these results?
  • Describe the meaningful, specific outcomes that had an impact on the program, organization, or other strategic goals. The results described should align with the way the challenge is framed.

    RESULTS Example: Through my stewardship of this revamping, the new program went on to save dozens of animals each year (2–10% of the population), preventing catastrophic loss. Indeed, 30% of the current monk seal population is a direct result of the new program's efforts, particularly the female monk seals that were saved. My work in leading this effort was recognized by NOAA and international agencies for its innovation and conservation success. A partner even built a monk seal hospital as part of our collaborative efforts. After declining for more than 50 years, the Hawaiian Monk Seal population has been increasing by 2% per year for the last eight years, a testament to the success of our transformative conservation program.

  • You will receive your CCAR Accomplishment in your email within a few minutes!

    Good luck with your 2-Page Federal Resume, Annual Evaluation, Behavior-Based Interview, or SES QRB Interview! This form is designed and produced by Resume Place, Inc. www.resume-place.com Created by Kathryn Troutman, 2005.

    SHORT RESUME ACCOMPLISHMENT:
    THIS IS AN AI-GENERATED SHORT VERSION OF THE MONK SEAL CCAR ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE 2-PAGE FEDERAL RESUME OR THE 2-PAGE SES RESUME:

    AI PROMPT:  Please give me an edited version of this accomplishment in 45 words for my 2-page Federal Resume:

    • Hawaiian Monk Seal Program, (Conservation Program Management): As Hawaiian Monk Seal Program Lead at the Pacific Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, I transformed this monitoring-only initiative into a world-class conservation program. The Hawaiian Monk Seal, one of the most endangered species, had been in decline since the 1970s. I designed and planned multiple innovative conservation strategies, including translating animals to improved survival areas, applying population vaccination, and implementing rehabilitation facilities. As a result, after declining for 50+ years, the Hawaiian Monk Seal population has steadily increased over recent years (20xx-20yy).

    The average 2-page Federal resume is 700–800 words. Adding at least one 45-word accomplishment to each job block—if relevant to the position you seek—is a reasonable goal. 

    The average 2-page SES resume is 800-900 words. Adding your 10 ECQ accomplishments to Page One of your resume can be 45 to 60 words each.