How the Merit Hiring Plan Affects Federal Job Seekers

Published On: June 17th, 2025Last Updated: September 23rd, 2025Categories: Job Seekers Blog, Tips & AdviceTags: Government, Job Seeking, Resume Writing

The following post explores How the Merit Hiring Plan Affects Federal Job Seekers.

Do you still need a 10-page Federal Resume in 2025 and beyond? Nope. With the rollout of the ‘Merit Hiring Plan’, the U.S. federal government is modernizing its hiring and candidate evaluation processes.

Read: How to Make a Federal Resume

If you’re one of the approximately 1.5 million federal employees (or hoping to become one) you need to be aware of all the changes that are reshaping the landscape for federal job seekers in 2025 and beyond.

Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

First, let’s take a minute to understand what the Merit Hiring Plan is.

Basically, it’s a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the federal hiring process. If you’re interested in the official documentation, here’s a copy of OPM’s official memo (May 29, 2025).

In essence, the ‘Merit Hiring Plan’ introduces a whole host of changes. Pictured below is an insightful LinkedIn post highlighting some of the biggest impacts of the ‘Merit Hiring Plan’ on federal job seekers.

Merit Hiring Plan Announcement - Job Seekers Blog - JobStars USA

Federal Resume Now Capped at Two Pages

Under the Merit Hiring Plan, applicants are now limited to a two-page Federal Resume.

It used to be that 5-page, 10-page or even longer Federal Resumes were considered the norm. So, this is a big change. The overall goal is to reduce the burden on federal job seekers and shift the emphasis of the Federal Resume onto impact and achievements.

Bottom line…? You will need a two-page Federal Resume for applications in 2025 and beyond.

For most federal job seekers, this is welcome news. The old process really needed an overhaul. But, it’ll be a major adjustment for federal job seekers that are accustomed to the old ways.

For more about the new two-page rule, check out: Building Your Two-Page Federal Resume and Navigating Major Changes to the Federal Resume.

Introduction of Essay-Based Questions

The two-page Federal Resume is big news, but it isn’t the only major change.

Now, all applicants are asked to complete four short essay questions (200 words maximum per essay).

Federal agencies are looking for public servants who are passionate and committed to upholding the rule of law and the US Constitution. The four new essay questions are designed to assess your understanding of these principles and how you’ve demonstrated them in your career.

The essay-based questions are a brand new element in the federal application process.

For more about the essay questions, check out: Explaining the Four Essay Questions for Federal Jobs.

New 80-Day Hiring Timeline

The federal hiring process is known for moving rather slowly. All the bureaucracy and red tape slows the process. However, the new ‘Merit Hiring Plan’ aims to speed things up.

Under the new guidelines:

Federal agencies are held to a strict 80-day timeline from job posting to job offer.
Federal agencies are required to provide regular status updates to applicants. Such as when application materials are received, when interviews are scheduled, and when final decisions are made.

For anyone applying to a federal job, this means less time waiting in limbo and better communication.

For more about the new timeline, check out: Why the Federal Hiring Process is Still Slow and Understanding the Federal Hiring Timeline.

Major SES Changes

Big changes are also in-store for Senior Executive Service (SES) applicants.

For one thing, SES applicants don’t have to submit a 10-page ECQ document like they used to. ECQs are still used in the evaluation process…what’s changing is how ECQs are evaluated.

Federal agencies will now assess ECQs via:

(a) structured interview (verbally)
(b) one-page narrative statements (5 total pages)
(c) a Federal Resume that factors in the ECQs

Overall, most people are happy that the old ECQ standards are gone. However, it does raise some interesting challenges and questions for SES applicants to navigate in 2025 and beyond.

For more about all the SES-related changes, check out: Navigating Major SES Changes.

Out With the Old

In addition to the ECQ evaluation process changing – the ECQs themselves have changed.

Revised for the first time since 2006 – the new ECQs reflect a modernized view of executive leadership in the federal government that emphasizes public trust, operational excellence, and leadership.

Without getting too deep into the weeds, I’ll simply say that introducing new ECQs into the SES application process is another big curveball.

For more on this topic, check out: Understanding the New ECQs and Tips for Selecting Your ECQ Stories.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this article helps you understand the major changes happening in 2025 as a result of the newly announced Merit Hiring Plan. Being aware of these changes will help you navigate the federal application process and increase your chances of being referred to the hiring manager.

If you’re ready to build your new two-page Federal Resume, my team and I are here to support you. JobStars is an A+ BBB-rated service that has earned multiple consecutive Complaint Free Awards. Please use the Contact Us or Submit Your Resume for a risk-free evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you!

About the Author: Doug Levin

Doug Levin is the owner and operator of JobStars USA, a B2C career services practice serving job seekers of all industries and experience levels. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Career Coach (CPCC) with more than a decade of experience in career services.