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Table of contents

What Is an Internal Resume?
How to Write a Resume for an Internal Position
Sample Resume for an Internal Position
Final Thoughts
Key Takeaways
Resources to Help With Your Job Search

Has the perfect role for you opened up within the company you already work for? An internal opportunity can range from a coveted promotion to an exciting chance to broaden your skills or hone in on an area of focus that excites you.

No matter your situation, we'll help you demonstrate to your employer that you can handle the change with an internal position resume that captures your career development.

Our guide includes:

What an internal resume is and how it differs from an ordinary resume
How to write an internal resume that showcases your preparedness to advance your career
A sample resume to act as your internal resume template as you start the writing process

Need to be application-ready in a hurry? Our AI Resume Builder will help you tackle the writing process quickly with ready-to-use templates and career-specific content suggestions based on your input.

What Is an Internal Resume?

Whether you're seeking a promotion or a lateral move, applying for a job with your current employer requires a different resume strategy than a typical job search.

An internal resume should emphasize your relationship with the employer and demonstrate how your achievements and understanding of the organization have prepared you for the next step in your career.

What makes a resume for an internal position different from a regular resume?

An internal resume for a promotion or a horizontal change still uses the same parts as a regular resume, with the following key differences:

Focuses on your current role: You already work for the company, so focusing on your contributions to your current role is crucial for a successful internal resume.
Emphasizes company values: Since you understand your organization's goals and values well, you have a unique opportunity to highlight how you embody them.
Highlights growth: Instead of trying to convince a new employer that you have the skills they need, an internal resume gives you a chance to show your current employer how much you've grown in your role and how open you are to developing as you take on new responsibilities.

What's the difference between a resume for an internal promotion and a lateral move?

Your resume strategy will change depending on whether you're seeking a more senior role in your department or a career change.

If you're seeking a promotion, your resume needs to be laser-focused on demonstrating how you've contributed to your current role and how you've gone above and beyond to drive success for your organization. A promotion resume should emphasize your leadership skills, strategic thinking, measurable results, and ongoing career growth.

If you're targeting a different role within your organization—like a shift from one department to another—make sure to highlight how your skills line up with this new role. If this represents a major career change, then you may want to showcase certifications, extracurriculars, past experiences, or training that have prepared you for this change.

How to Write a Resume for an Internal Position

Not sure how to get started on your resume for an internal position? Good news—it's a lot like writing a regular resume! Let's walk through the parts of a resume and discuss how you can maximize the impact of each one to show your employer that you have what it takes!

Start with the job description

The first thing you need to know is that a truly great resume is tailored to the role you're seeking, whether it's internal or external. Make sure to look at some samples from pros in your industry to get a feel for how a resume in your field is expected to look. Then, take a closer look at the job opening.

Your company's internal job board should include a role description rich with keywords that describe the ideal candidate and their responsibilities. Use those keywords to show how well you fit the role.

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are often used to screen candidate resumes—even for internal hires—so take the time to make your resume ATS-friendly! Even if you're handing your application directly to someone in HR, tailoring your resume shows you're the ideal candidate, helping you land the interview.

Choose a resume format

Next, you'll need to choose the resume format that suits your career the best. There are three main formats that candidates can choose from.

Chronological format: This is the most popular format. It organizes your information in reverse-chronological order and focuses on your work experience, making it perfect for an experienced candidate. If you're applying for a more senior role at the company, your resume benefits from this format.
Functional format: This one focuses on skills instead of experience. It's a great choice for beginners without as much experience to show. Because an internal resume is often more focused on role-specific achievements instead of a lengthy career history, a skills-based or functional resume works well—especially for a lateral move.
Combination format: The combination resume format balances experience and skills. If an emphasis on skills appeals to you but you still wish to highlight your experience, this might be the compromise for you!

Pro tip

The functional resume format can give you the flexibility to reorganize your resume to focus less on experience. If you haven't been with your employer long, this structure can help you focus your resume on internal achievements rather than other roles.

Pick out a template

Next, it's time to pick a resume template that suits your professional style. From modern to simple to creative templates, there's a world of options to choose from. Just be sure to pick something that clearly displays what you bring to the table and is appropriate for your industry and role.

You already have a relationship with your employer, so it's usually best to focus on clarity instead of eye-catching graphics.

For the best chance of landing the role, you'll want to write an internal cover letter as well. Make both documents feel cohesive by choosing a cover letter template that matches your resume.

Start with a resume profile

The first section of a resume is the resume profile. For an internal role, this section should summarize your current role at the company and your professional background while highlighting why you're interested in the new position and the reasons you think you'd fit the role.

To focus more on growth, write a resume objective. But, if you've had a longer career and want to emphasize achievements, a professional summary is a better option.

Example resume objective for an internal position resume:

Dedicated and results-driven professional with two years of experience in [specific area or department] at [company name], seeking to leverage in-depth company knowledge and proven expertise in [specific skills or responsibilities relevant to the new role] to excel in the role of [new position title]. Committed to developing [relevant skills] to contribute to [company]'s growth.

Example professional summary for an internal position resume:

Experienced and motivated professional with a deep understanding of [company name]'s goals and operational processes, backed by over five years of experience in [current department/role]. Known for achieving [specific achievements relevant to the new role], fostering team collaboration, and upholding company values. Eager to bring a strong background in [relevant skills] and a passion for internal growth to the [new position title] to support [company's goals, values, or specific department goals].

Focus on key skills

A strong resume needs a strong skills section. And as an internal candidate, you already have a leg up on the competition here! You already understand the skills that it takes to perform in your current role. Emphasize these alongside the skills that you'll be focused on honing and growing in your new role.

For a strong resume, remember to strike the right balance between hard and soft skills.

If you're seeking a promotion to a more senior role, make sure to include skills that reflect your desired role, rather than focusing on your day-to-day responsibilities. If you're trying to break into your first management role, for example, your resume skills should highlight leadership and strategy.

Showcase your experience

Now it's time for the real meat of your resume—your work experience section!

Since you already work for the company you're applying to, be sure to focus on your current role and highlight the value that you've already brought to the company. This is a great chance to showcase your understanding of company goals and values alongside your ability to contribute to them directly.

You might also include previous roles, depending on their relevance and the length of your tenure at your current company. Whether you include other roles or not, your achievements within your current organization should be the focal point of your experience section.

Example work history section for an internal position resume:

[Current Job Title]

[Company Name] – [Location]
[Month/Year Started] – Present

Spearhead [specific project or responsibility] resulting in [quantifiable result, e.g., "a 20% increase in efficiency" or "cost savings of $X per quarter"], aligning with company objectives.
Collaborate with [department or team] to achieve [specific goal or initiative], demonstrating a strong cross-functional approach and dedication to company goals.
Develop and implement [process, tool, or strategy] to improve [process, productivity, customer satisfaction, etc.], receiving recognition from management for [specific achievement].
Mentor and train [number] of new team members, fostering a cohesive and knowledgeable team aligned with company standards and culture.
Consistently meet and exceed performance targets and contribute to [company's specific objective or initiative relevant to the new role].

Summarize your education

Your resume should include a section for your degrees and certifications. Use your education section to show off both your formal education and any relevant learning opportunities you've taken advantage of during your employment.

Sample education section for an internal role:

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
[University Name], [City, State]
Graduated: [Month/Year]

Certification
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute, [Month/Year Obtained]

Consider optional sections

At this stage, your resume is complete, but that doesn't mean you have to be done. Are there any unique qualifications that you didn't get to highlight in the above sections?

Are you fluent in another language? Do you regularly volunteer in ways that align with your company's values? Have you received awards for your achievements? Do you have too many certifications to fit into your education section?

Qualifications like these can merit their own special sections on your resume. Which ones you include are up to you, but be sure to use what you already know about your company's needs and values to help you choose.

Pro tip

If you're applying for a promotion, it helps to show that you've leveled up, whether through a new degree or certification, a major project or leadership experience, or even an award. Make space for these achievements on your resume to show the employer that you're ready for a change.

Finish with a cover letter

The last step to ensuring you land the internal role is writing a cover letter. This is an important step that shows you're willing to put in extra effort to explain why you fit the role. And it is vital for an internal job application.

One of the many advantages that you have as an internal candidate is referrals from colleagues who already work for your company and, thus, are trusted and valued voices in your organization.

A resume is not an appropriate place to list referrals, but a cover letter is. Mention your supervisor and any specific colleagues who you're confident will have positive things to say about your contributions.

Need help writing your cover letter? Give our AI Cover Letter Generator a try. This tool takes the guesswork out of writing a cover letter by handling the formatting for you and prompting you through the writing process so you can complete your letter in minutes.

Sample Resume for an Internal Position

Use this resume example as a guide to help you write your own resume for an internal position.

Use this template

Were you hoping for a sample resume that's closer to your role or field? Check out our list of resume examples to find what you're looking for.

Final Thoughts

An internal resume is similar to an ordinary resume, but with some unique opportunities that you can take advantage of to improve your chances. Applying for a role within your company gives you some distinct advantages.

Your resume should use your understanding of the organization's culture and objectives, as well as your existing relationship, to create a targeted document that inspires your employer's confidence.

This advantage goes beyond resume-writing. Whether it's a promotion or a lateral move, use your network to understand the role better and improve your resume and cover letter. Reach out to colleagues for references and referrals and to ask questions about your target role.

Using your relationships to your advantage will help you perfect your resume. Showcasing strong relationships with colleagues and coworkers also demonstrates valuable teamwork and networking skills that help the employer see your dedication to the organization and its values.

Key Takeaways

Strategize the resume sections.
All resumes are built out of the same basic parts. Turn each of these sections into an opportunity to showcase company values and highlight your growth in your current role.
Take advantage of keywords.
Study the internal job posting, paying attention to the keywords that describe the ideal candidate. Customize your resume with those keywords to show your fit for the new role.
Create a strong cover letter.
Your resume is just one part of a persuasive application. Seal the deal with a thoughtful cover letter that includes references from within your company.
Leverage your relationships.
Use your networking skills to seek advice from coworkers, connect with the hiring manager for the internal role you're seeking, and showcase your strong relationship with the organization and its values.