Explaining the Four Essay Questions for Federal Jobs

The following post takes a closer look at Explaining the Four Essay Questions for Federal Jobs.

In May 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) introduced the Merit Hiring Plan, a sweeping update to how federal agencies screen applicants for competitive service positions.

Read: Why the Federal Hiring Process is Still Slow

Related: Navigating Major Changes to the Federal Resume

Curious to hear one of the most significant changes? All candidates applying to GS-5 and above roles will now answer four short essay questions as part of their application.

Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

With OPM’s announcement of the ‘Merit Hiring Plan’, all applicants for GS‑5 and higher federal positions are expected to complete four short essay questions (limited to 200 words max).

The purpose of the essays is to reflect your own voice, judgment, and alignment with public service values. Agencies are using them to evaluate both your experience and personal commitment to federal service. I recommend the essay service Edubirdie for help structuring your essay responses with confidence.

Click here for the official ‘Merit Hiring Plan’ memo (PDF).

Below is a screenshot from a Reddit forum discussion about the new essays.

Concise and Self Authored

Each essay must be no more than 200 words. Brevity and clarity are key. The responses must be written entirely by you, without assistance from outside sources such as consultants or AI tools.

That’s correct, you’re not allowed to use tools like Grok, ChatGPT, or Gemini for these.

Your answers need to be authentic, concise, and self-authored. Using these tools runs the risk of automatic disqualification for failing to meet the authenticity requirement.

Technically Optional

Technically, answering the four essay questions is optional. Candidates are highly encouraged to answer the essay questions, but skipping them isn’t grounds for automatic disqualification.

Additionally, the essays are not rated or scored. OPM announced this decision after complaints that the new essay questions were politicizing the federal hiring process.

“Answers to these questions are not scored or rated,” OPM wrote. “Agencies should treat responses to these questions in the same way they would treat the submission of a cover letter. The questions give candidates an opportunity to provide additional information about themselves, their background, and dedication to public service, but must not be used as a mean of determining whether the candidate fulfills the qualifications of a position. The questions also must not be used to impose an ideological litmus test on candidates.”

Question #1 – Commitment to the Constitution and Founding Principles

Federal service is built on trust, and this question is your chance to show that your motivation runs deeper than a paycheck. It asks you to reflect on how your values align with constitutional principles like fairness, transparency, and the rule of law – and to show that you understand and respect the system you’re joining.

• Question #1: How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.

Here’s an example of answering question #1 (185 words):

As a financial auditor for a city government agency, I was reviewing invoices from a vendor working under a grant-funded program when I identified several discrepancies that suggested overbilling and a potential conflict of interest. Reporting the issue would require flagging a politically sensitive contract that had strong internal support. After weighing my options, I chose to escalate the concern through the appropriate ethics channel. The decision was not easy, but it was guided by my belief in the principles of transparency, equal protection, and accountability. I knew that ignoring the issue would violate the public trust and contradict the standards of constitutional governance I value. The investigation confirmed violations and led to contract revisions and stronger oversight practices. That moment reinforced for me that upholding constitutional values isn’t abstract – it’s a daily responsibility. I’m pursuing federal service because I want to be part of a system where those values are real and actionable. I believe in a government that serves its people honestly and fairly, and I see this role as a chance to uphold and strengthen that commitment through principled, integrity-driven work.

Question #2 – Government Efficiency and Effectiveness

Every federal role involves making government work better – and this is your chance to show you’ve done that. Whether you improved a process, saved time or money, or delivered better outcomes, strong answers focus on specifics: what you did, why it mattered, and how it shows your readiness for federal service.

• Question #2: In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.

Here’s an example of answering question #2 (182 words):

In my role as a project coordinator at USDA, I was responsible for managing internal communication workflows between regional teams and the national office. I noticed that our email-based approval system for grant proposals was causing delays – especially when multiple stakeholders were copied without clear ownership or tracking. After consulting with team leads, I proposed transitioning to a shared dashboard using a project management platform that allowed task assignment, automated reminders, and live status updates. I created training materials, led onboarding sessions, and built customized workflows that aligned with our existing structure. Within the first quarter, average turnaround time dropped from six days to two, and our on-time submission rate improved by 35%. More importantly, we reduced frustration across departments and improved collaboration. This experience showed me how incremental process changes – driven by observation and user input – can produce meaningful results in large systems. If selected for this position, I would bring the same mindset to federal service: look for friction points, listen to the people closest to the problem, and implement practical, cost-effective solutions that improve how government serves the public.

Question #3 – Supporting Executive Orders and Policy Priorities

Carrying out the administration’s policy agenda is part of any federal role. This question lets you show that you understand that responsibility and are prepared to implement it. Strong answers connect relevant executive orders or initiatives to the work you’d be doing – focusing on execution, not personal politics.

• Question #3: How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.

Here’s an example of answering question #3 (183 words):

I understand that part of my responsibility as a federal employee is to implement the lawful policies of the President and agency leadership with professionalism and care. One current priority I believe in is the administration’s effort to improve digital government services, as outlined in Executive Order 14094. The EO emphasizes reducing burdens for the public and streamlining how citizens interact with government – especially small businesses and underserved communities. In a prior role with a state economic development agency, I helped redesign an outdated business license portal that confused users and led to frequent application errors. I worked with developers, legal staff, and frontline caseworkers to simplify the interface, rewrite content in plain language, and reduce the number of steps by 40%. The project led to a 25% drop in customer service tickets and improved compliance rates. If selected, I would bring this experience to the federal level, ensuring policies like EO 14094 are implemented with a strong user focus and measurable outcomes. My goal is always to align execution with purpose – to translate executive directives into services that genuinely meet public needs.

Question #4 – Demonstrating a Strong Work Ethic

This question offers a look into your work ethic – how you follow through, stay disciplined, and go beyond what’s expected. The agency wants to see that you take pride in your work and bring effort to everything you do. Strong answers focus on one or two specific examples that clearly reflect those habits in action.

• Question #4: How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Please provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Here’s an example of answering question #4 (182 words):

A strong work ethic has shaped every stage of my academic and professional journey. During graduate school, I carried a full 15-credit course load, worked as a research assistant, and volunteered at a nonprofit mentoring first-generation college applicants. Balancing those responsibilities required strict time management, discipline, and the willingness to sacrifice short-term convenience for long-term goals. I maintained a 3.9 GPA and graduated with honors. That experience taught me how to push through fatigue and distractions to stay focused on what matters. More recently, while managing a fast-moving communications initiative at the Department of Health and Human Services, one of my team members unexpectedly had to take emergency leave. Without hesitation, I absorbed their deliverables and extended my hours to ensure deadlines were met. The project launched successfully and received positive feedback from senior leadership. I don’t consider this going “above and beyond” – I consider it part of doing a job well. In federal service, where the stakes often involve the wellbeing of real people, I bring that same mindset: show up consistently, take ownership, and follow through with integrity and care.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this article is helpful for acquainting with the new essay questions which are part of the application process for most federal positions (GS-5 and above). Understanding what’s being asked and how best to respond can make a big difference when applying to federal jobs.

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