How to Write an Internal Position Cover Letter (Guide + Examples)

As seen in 1

Table of contents

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internal Position
What Makes an Internal Cover Letter Different?
Cover Letter for an Internal Position: Example
Key Takeaways
Resources to Help With Your Job Search

You're ready to grow your career when, just like magic, the open position you've been hoping for appears. You know you need to refresh your resume and write a strong cover letter to land the role — but wait! This position is an internal opportunity within the organization you work for. How does that change the cover letter writing process?

Our guide will answer your questions and help you get to work on an internal cover letter that impresses.

Our guide includes:

A step-by-step walkthrough of how you can build a persuasive cover letter.
A simple breakdown of what makes an internal cover letter different.
A sample internal cover letter to help you put yours together.
Strategies to keep in mind as you get to work on your letter.

Need your cover letter ready right away? Our Cover Letter Builder will help you produce an ATS-friendly letter that persuasively describes your career, so you can apply to that role today.

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internal Position

Wondering how you can write a cover letter for an internal position that impresses your employer and shows that you're ready to take on new responsibilities? Here are the steps you need to take!

Start with your resume

A great cover letter starts with a great resume. Your resume should contain a basic account of your recent, relevant experience and your most vital skills. This is the information that you're going to be expanding on in your letter, so make sure you have an up-to-date resume that you're happy with.

If you're worried that your resume might not hold up under scrutiny, take a look at some samples from pros in your industry and parse your document in our Resume Checker to get an idea of how you can improve.

Choose a stylish cover letter template

It often helps to have an idea of how your cover letter will look from the beginning. Start by checking out some examples, then make a simple outline of the points you want to cover. You can always change it up later, but a neat and simple cover letter template will give you the perfect starting point to build your letter.

Ideally, find a template that matches your resume template to create a cohesive effect.

Use your template to help you stay on top of your cover letter's formatting, and remember to keep it professional. Use consistent spacing, a professional font and neat, 1-inch margins.

Review the internal job description

Now that we've laid the groundwork, it's time to focus on writing. Just like with an external role, writing an internal cover letter requires you to study the job description and incorporate keywords into your letter.

Look for the internal job board that your company uses and read the job description carefully. Your letter should focus on the areas where you most align with the needs of the role. Draw attention specifically to the ways that your current role within the company has prepared you for this.

Include your contact information in the header

Your current employer may already know how to reach you, but you'll still need to make a neat cover letter header that includes the following:

Your full name.
City and state.
Phone number.
Email address.

Address the hiring manager by name

When you apply to external roles, it's common to address your letter as "Dear Hiring Manager" when you can't find a specific name to use, but an internal role differs on this point. You should do the research to address the hiring manager by name. They're already your co-worker after all!

Introduce yourself in the first paragraph

Your internal cover letter should start with a quick explanation of who you are and what you can contribute to the role. Be sure to include some basic information about your current role within the company.

Example opening paragraph for an internal position:

Dear Mark Winters,

I am excited to express my interest in the sales director (Northwest) role within Tasty Snacks Inc. Having been a regional sales manager for the Tristate region of Tasty Snacks's operations for six years, I've gained a deep understanding of our company's mission, values and goals. I am eager to leverage my knowledge of our processes, my existing client relationships and my proven sales expertise to contribute to the Tasty Snacks sales team.

Explain why you're the best candidate for the role

In your body paragraphs, you'll explain how your skills have contributed to incredible results in the past. Discuss past roles and major milestone achievements and use numbers to demonstrate your concrete impact.

You can (and should!) discuss relevant experience in other companies and positions, but since this is an internal role where your impact is likely to be even more relevant and impactful, you should spend more time focused on your specific achievements within this company.

Example body paragraphs for an internal cover letter:

During my time as the regional sales manager for the Tristate region, I successfully led a team of 15 sales representatives, achieving consistent year-over-year growth. In the last fiscal year, my team exceeded sales targets by 20%, contributing to a revenue increase of $3 million for our region. This was accomplished through strategic market analysis, refining sales techniques and fostering strong relationships with key retail partners. I am confident that the strategies I've developed to grow sales and manage high-performing teams will translate well into the sales director (Northwest) role.

In addition to managing my team's performance, I played a key role in launching several new product lines, including the highly successful introduction of our gluten-free snack range. By coordinating closely with the marketing and product development teams, I helped identify target markets and secure placement in major retail chains such as Duncan's Grocers. I've cultivated strong relationships with decision-makers at these retailers, and I believe these connections, combined with my knowledge of emerging market trends, will allow me to quickly and effectively drive sales growth in the Northwest region.

Show off your company knowledge

The great thing about an internal position is that you should already have a solid understanding of the role and the organization's values. Make the most of your insider knowledge by:

Highlighting specific company values and the ways that you've demonstrated them in the past.
Discussing ways you've already added value to the company in your current role.
Naming a colleague or supervisor who can vouch for your skills.

This brings us to our next point.

Emphasize company referrals

A referral is valuable because it comes from a professional who is willing to back up your skills and certify that you are as capable as your cover letter shows. What can be better than that?

An internal referral! Your supervisor, manager and colleagues are already trusted and respected within your organization. Use them to vouch for your skills and the hiring manager for your new role and the hiring manager is bound to appreciate the perspective of their very own co-workers.

Write your cover letter closing

Now it's time to end your letter on a strong note. Write a closing paragraph that:

Expresses your enthusiasm for the role.
Shows your readiness to contribute to the new position.
Invites further discussion in an interview.
Thanks the reader for considering your application.
Offers a credible reference from within your organization.

Example closing paragraph for an internal position cover letter:

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to take on the sales director (Northwest) role and continue driving success for Tasty Snacks Inc. I am confident that my experience, proven track record in sales growth and passion for leadership align well with the needs of this position. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences can contribute to the continued expansion of our brand. Please contact my supervisor, Marielle Olmar, for insight into my performance and career trajectory at Tasty Snacks. Thank you for your consideration.

Sign off appropriately

Conclude your letter with a professional signoff, such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name.

What Makes an Internal Cover Letter Different?

Following the steps above will give you what you need to build an impressive internal cover letter, but what's different about an internal cover letter versus an external one?

An internal cover letter is different because:

It focuses on your current role instead of past experiences. Focusing more on your most recent experience is common for cover letters of all kinds, but for an internal letter it's a must. Why wouldn't a hiring manager within your organization pay more attention to the results you've already achieved for the company?
It addresses the hiring manager by name. Ideally, external letters should do this too, but it's even more important on an internal letter. Not researching the role for a potential employer is one thing, but for a role within your company — that's not a good look.
It includes a reference. Typically, our advice to job seekers is not to worry about references on your resume or your cover letter. For an internal role, though, a positive reference from within your own company carries a lot of weight. Include your current manager or a colleague who has seen you excel to reinforce your achievements.

Cover Letter for an Internal Position: Example

Now that we've discussed what goes into making a great internal cover letter, here's an example that you can reference as you get to work on building your own.

Use this template

Want to see an example that's specific to your field? Check out our library of cover letter examples for more specific and targeted sample letters.

Key Takeaways

Start with a strong resume

Writing a persuasive cover letter is a lot easier when you have an up-to-date resume as a launchpad.
Research the role

Preparedness is key. Look at your company's internal job board, check out the listing for the role you're hoping for, and fine-tune your resume and your letter to align with the responsibilities of the role.
Open with an introduction

Introduce yourself to the hiring manager for the role by discussing your history with the company and your strengths as a worker upfront.
Write a detailed body

Explore the most impressive outcomes you've achieved in your current role. Use numbers to highlight your contributions to the company.
Close your letter politely

Your closing should reiterate why you think you're a good fit and invite the hiring manager to discuss the role with you further. Include a credible reference who has good things to say about your history with the company.

Resources to Help With Your Job Search

Was this information helpful? Let us know!

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.