Writing a Resume for an Internal Position: Tips and Example

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If you’re applying for a new role within your current company, you already have an advantage over external candidates.

However, you’ll still need a strong resume tailored to the internal position you’re aiming for to make sure the hiring manager knows you’re ready to take on new responsibilities. 

In this guide, you’ll learn: 

• What to do before writing your resume
• What skills, experience, and education to include
• Things you should avoid 

To make the process even faster, try our free online resume builder and get instant suggestions that’ll help your resume for a promotion stand out.

The Value of Staying in the Same Company in Today’s Job Market

Staying with the same employer is becoming more common in today’s job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median time workers spend with their current employer is 3.9 years as of January 2024, with those in management roles averaging 5.7 years. This shows that people tend to stay longer at companies that offer chances to grow.

Also, recent reports from early 2024 show that switching jobs is not as profitable as it used to be, which is causing fewer people to change employers. 

This makes applying for an internal position or promotion a smart move for advancing your career while staying within your current company. 

It’s a great way to show your commitment and take advantage of growth opportunities without the uncertainty of starting somewhere new.

What To Do Before Writing Your Resume for an Internal Promotion

Before applying for an internal position, your resume must meet the standards of the job you are trying to secure. 

Since you’re already in the company, you’ll want to use your home-field advantage. 

There are some great ways to prepare to write an effective resume that will get you that new role.

1. Study the job opening

When you see that your company has an opening for a position that you want to apply for, you should properly analyze the job description. 

You can do that by:

• Reading it thoroughly to get a better understanding of the required skills and qualifications.
• Identify keywords in the job description that you could use in your resume to highlight your relevant experience and skills.
• Thinking about how to tailor your resume to the specific job by emphasizing your abilities that align with the job requirements.

That way, you’ll know precisely how to personalize your internal job resume and include information that the hiring manager really wants to see.

2. Talk to your coworkers

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to network with the other people in your company. 

If you’re buddies with a coworker who knows the position well, fantastic! 

Even if you aren’t spending your coffee breaks with someone who knows what the job opening entails, you can still ask the right people a few questions. 

You should also try to reach out to the people closest to the hiring manager or even directly to the hiring manager. 

While you should avoid sucking up, you can ask for a meeting to find out more information about the day-to-day in that job, and show your keen interest in person. 

Finally, you could try to get a recommendation letter from a coworker. This is another great way of using your position on the inside to get the internal vacancy.

Internal Promotion Resume Example

If you have any doubts about how to write a resume for an internal position, you should look over a sample.  

Review the following sample resume for an internal job posting to get an idea of what you should include to be successful. 

resume Example

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[George Robinson]

[Accountant]

[Denver, CO, 54511 | (555) 678-5555 | GRob345@randomemail.com]

Summary

Results-driven accountant with over five years of experience at Smith & Jones Accounting, specializing in auditing and public accounting. Proven ability to optimize financial processes, having saved the firm $70,000 through process improvements. Adept at mentoring junior accountants and improving team productivity by 25%. Seeking to leverage my expertise in financial analysis and process optimization to contribute to the continued success of the company in a more senior role.

Skills

• Advanced invoice coding
• Financial data analysis
• Process improvement
• Knowledge of accounting regulations
• Proficiency in accounting software (QuickBooks, SAP)
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Time management and organization

Experience

Accountant

ABC Accounting | Accountant | Denver, CO

2019-Present

• Trained and mentored 5 junior accountants during their first six months, resulting in a 25% increase in productivity and a 90% retention rate.
• Conducted a comprehensive review of accounting procedures, reducing errors by 15% and increasing overall efficiency by 20%.
• Identified and corrected accounting discrepancies, resulting in $70,000 in savings for the firm.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline financial reporting processes, improving report accuracy and timeliness.

Education

Master’s in Accounting

University of Colorado

2018

BS Accounting & Finance

University of Colorado

2013 – 2017

• 3.8 GPA

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – 2019

In addition to studying this example, you can use a handy internal job resume template to help you quickly structure your application.

Tips for Writing a Resume for an Internal Position

When applying for a promotion or transfer within your company, it’s important to focus on how you’ve contributed to the organization. 

Even though you’re already familiar with the company, your resume needs to clearly show why you’re the best fit for the new role.

Highlight your achievements and the value you’ve added to your current position.

1. Showcase your impact on the company

One of the biggest advantages when writing a resume for a promotion within the same company is that you can highlight specific accomplishments from your time there. To make your resume stand out, focus on quantifying your achievements. 

For example, instead of just saying you improved processes, use metrics like “increased team efficiency by 20%” or “implemented a new system that reduced response times by 30%.”

By using measurable results, you can clearly demonstrate how you’ve helped the company and why you’re ready for a promotion within the same company. 

This approach will strengthen your resume and help you make a compelling case for advancing to the next level.

2. Update your resume summary

Your summary is the part of the resume where you have your first opportunity to grab the hiring manager’s attention. 

After all, a resume summary is the first thing they read as it goes at the top, just under your contact info.

Let’s look at how you should and shouldn’t write your summary.

This is too generic and doesn’t give any specific data. You’ll want to really show off what you’ve done for your company with some strong action words to get that promotion. 

Take advantage of our free resume summary generator to avoid mistakes like this.

When writing a resume for an internal position or a promotion within the same company, it’s important to strike a balance between highlighting your current responsibilities and showing how you can add value in the new role. 

Let’s now look at a good example:

That’s much more like it! 

This example mentions how the candidate specifically helped their company improve online engagement and lead generation, and how they can add value in the new position.

3. Include relevant skills for an internal promotion

Understanding how to transfer to another job within the same company means you should also know your company’s ideology and culture. This can really help you recognize which skills to list on your resume.

You may be going for a completely different role, but perhaps there are some soft skills that your company really values. 

To ensure that you add the correct skills to your resume skills section, you should do the following:

• Study the job description to add your most relevant transferable skills.
• Add soft skills that match your company’s culture, like patience or collaboration.

If the position you want is similar to your current role, you can mention how your skills have led to success within your experience section, for example:

Used data analysis skills to track campaign performance and make data-driven decisions to optimize results.

4. Fill the Experience section with company wins

When writing an internal position experience section, it’s critical to showcase your accomplishments over the years within the company. 

Ensure you mention what you’ve done with the data to back it up. If you’ve already changed positions or advanced within the company in the past, make sure that’s added as well.

The following is an unimpressive Experience section of an internal resume example

This doesn’t tell nearly the whole story. 

How satisfied were your customers? How much money did you make? These are the types of questions you should be answering in your experience section.

This will definitely have more of an impact on the hiring manager and get your resume in that ‘to interview’ pile.

It includes concrete data on achievements, outlines soft skills and shows how the candidate has added value to the company by conducting new research.

5. Retouch the Education section

If you have achieved a new degree or certification, you may want to add the following: 

• A master’s degree
• A new/relevant certification 
• Relevant training

Don’t forget to include the full title of the qualification you earned, where you studied for it (which could be simply ‘online’ if you did a virtual study course), and the date it was completed.

Use our resume checker to make sure your Education section in your internal resume is relevant to the job you are applying for. 

Key Points

Applying for a job within your own company is never a given, but if you have the opportunity, it’s definitely worth pursuing! 

To give yourself the best chance at success, make sure your resume for internal promotion stands out by following these key tips:

• Study the job opening and talk to coworkers or managers in the department to understand what’s valued in the new role.
• Use a format that highlights your progress and growth within the company.
• Showcase how you’ve made an impact by quantifying your achievements—use data like “increased team efficiency by 20%” or “reduced costs by 15%.”
• Tailor your resume to include skills that align with your company’s values and the specific needs of the department you’re applying to.

By incorporating these elements, your resume for a promotion within the same company will be more impactful, helping you stand out and impress your employer.

FAQs

How do I apply for a promotion internally?

To apply for an internal promotion, continually check your company’s job postings and submit your updated resume and cover letter highlighting your achievements and growth within the organization.

Make sure that you emphasize results and skills relevant to the new role you want to apply for. Then, communicate your interest to your manager or HR, and prepare to discuss how your experience aligns with the team’s goals and future success.

How do internal promotions work?

Internal promotions typically happen when a company fills a higher-level position with an existing employee. Candidates are evaluated based on performance and potential for growth.

Promotions help retain talent and strengthen company culture by offering career advancement opportunities within the organization.

How can I negotiate an internal promotion offer?

If you are interested and ultimately offered an internal promotion, research typical pay ranges for the new role and prepare a strong case for your value.

Also, make sure to highlight measurable achievements and contributions that support company goals, and remember to stay professional and open to discussion about salary, benefits, or title. 

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