OPM’s Merit Hiring Plan Memo (May 2025) Review
Key Takeaways
- OPM put out a new hiring memo May 2025
- Shortening of federal resumes to 2 pages
- 4 questions to be prepared for and have examples of executive orders and policies
OPM’s Merit Hiring Plan Memo (May 2025) Review
On May 29, 2025 OPM sent the Merit Hiring Plan Memo to the heads of all federal departments and agencies with new guidance for the hiring process of potential employees. This comes in follow up to the president’s January 20, 2025 Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service (“Restoring Merit”).
What does this mean to you?
First – the new aim is to cut the timeline for hiring new employees down to 80 days. This will vary (as always) on agency and the background check that is required for federal government.
Second, (and read past the first sentence) the length of a federal resume will be shortened to 2 pages. I still recommend having a 5 page version for federal government – do not do more than 5 pages since the reader won’t get to that point realistically. That said, add all things into USAJobs’ Resume Builder so that the information can go through the ATI algorithms and upload the 2 or 5 page resume as an additional document. Ben Deese (RPCV China) and I go into further conversation during the NCE and the USAJobs Walkthrough conversation we have.
Third, and this is the focus of the article, is the list of questions on page 18 that are being added to the interview process. Read through the questions below and come prepared with answers to an interview or job fair as hiring managers are starting to ask them.
The Questions of Note:
Screenshot from OPM’s Merit Hiring Plan Memo (May 2025)
Before going any further, I recognize that there are a lot of thoughts on the executive orders and the policies of the current administration. The recommended shift in focus is done in a way to reframe the conversation and does not reflect any political leaning.
While 2 and 4 are pretty typical for an interview, let’s do a deeper dive on questions 1 and 3:
✅ 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.”
✳️ Key principles to touch on:
• Equal justice under the law;
• Separation of powers and civic duty;
• Protection of rights (especially life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness); and
• Government “of the people, by the people, for the people”
🔧 When making a response, point out your…
• Service and commitment to improving the public good;
• Experience in carrying out activities to meet the mission of a federal agency; and
• Commitment to ensuring democratic accountability
Don’t be afraid to touch on the point that the federal government exists to serve the people. While Peace Corps service happens overseas, this is a national service program. Our service leads to long-term dividends by creating stronger relationships between the US and the countries in which we serve; sharing of American culture (Goal 2) and bringing back the culture of other peoples (Goal 3).
✅ So what does this look like?
Here’s a sample tailored answer from ChatGPT. Do not copy and paste this – instead, create your own response:
My commitment to the Constitution stems from a belief that our government has a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable while ensuring equal opportunity for all. The founding principles—especially equal protection under the law and promotion of the general welfare—have inspired me to focus on humanitarian and climate change work.
While serving in the Peace Corps, I partnered with local leaders to build resilience against climate-driven disasters. This work echoed constitutional ideals by supporting both human dignity and sustainability. It also taught me the importance of civic responsibility—acting in service to communities whose voices are too often marginalized. I see working in the federal government as a direct extension of that duty to support fair, inclusive, and forward-looking policies.
✅ Question 3 is a little more tricky:
“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.”
Full list of Executive Orders for the current administration.
Ok, so there are a few Executive Orders (E.O.) to think about…
Summary: This order rescinds executive orders and memoranda from the previous administration that were deemed inconsistent with the current administration’s policy objectives.
Potential Focus: While there are lots of thoughts to the rescissions, one could use this when gearing their answer towards efficiency when developing programs and projects that will support the department or agency you’re applying for in support of the American people.
2. Executive Order 14192 – Unleashing Prosperity through Deregulation (January 31, 2025)
Summary: This order establishes a “zero-based” regulatory budgeting process, requiring agencies to justify the necessity of existing regulations and to eliminate those that are outdated or unnecessary. The aim is to foster economic growth by reducing regulations and costs.
Potential Focus: Similar situation in this focuses on efficiency development. Talk about how you needed to make a hard decision on a project due to budget capabilities or ensuring financial accountability by tracking a grant from start to finish.
Summary: This order revokes previous executive orders related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in federal hiring and contracting. It emphasizes a merit-based approach to employment and centralizes anti-discrimination enforcement within the Department of Labor.
Potential Focus: Consider the skills and experiences you’ve gained during service and since then which qualify you for the job your applying to. Explain how you’ve participated in national service and bring key experiences to the table of the potential employer which will further the mission of the agency or department.
Summary: This order initiated a 90-day pause on all U.S. foreign development assistance programs to conduct a comprehensive review and ultimately was the justification to begin making cuts. . While exemptions were later made for emergency food assistance and military aid to specific countries, many humanitarian programs were affected, leading to concerns about global aid disruptions.
Potential Focus: Center on an example where you were had a limited number of resources, yet you were successful in creating an amazing project that was lasting and sustainable.
Summary: This order directed federal agencies to identify and eliminate regulations and guidance documents inconsistent with the administration’s deregulatory agenda. The aim was to reduce regulatory burdens while ensuring administrative actions align with statutory obligations and national interests.
Potential Focus: If you’re going to talk about efficiency, this is certainly another one you could look at. Talk about the financial accountability you used while managing grants or funds for a project during service, the need to focus on one project over another due to limited resources, or creating greater efficiencies.