How to Write a Resume for an Internal Position (Guide + Examples)

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Table of contents

How to Write a Resume for an Internal Position
What Makes a Resume for an Internal Position Different?
Sample Resume for an Internal Position
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 what your situation is, 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:

A step-by-step walkthrough of the parts of a resume and how they fit into your strategy for an internal role.
A look into what the differences are between an ordinary resume and a resume for an internal position.
A sample resume for an internal position to act as inspiration for your writing process.
Tips and strategies to keep in mind as you get to work.

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

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 customized to the role you're seeking, regardless of 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 description of the role that's rich with keywords describing the ideal candidate and their responsibilities. These keywords are your roadmap toward building a resume that captures attention and shows that you align with the needs and expectations of this position.

Identify the keywords that match your expertise and integrate them into your resume's profile, skills section and work experience section. This will show the employer that you're a good match for the role.

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 one. It organizes your information in reverse-chronological order and focuses on your work experience. For most internal resumes, this will be the best format to show your career growth.
Functional format: This one focuses on skills instead of experience. It's a great choice for beginners without as much experience to show. However, since an internal role should highlight your contributions to your current position, this format may not be the best choice for most internal resumes.
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!

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.

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 great option too.

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 organization 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.

Showcase your experience

Now it's time for the real meat of your resume — your experience section! List your past roles in reverse-chronological order and provide descriptions of your responsibilities that focus on positive outcomes instead of just expectations. Use numbers to make your impact shine and incorporate invigorating active language.

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.

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 do volunteer work that aligns 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.

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 that you're willing to put in the extra effort to communicate why you fit the role. And it is vital to 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 Cover Letter Builder 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.

What Makes a Resume for an Internal Position Different?

Now that we've walked through the steps to building an internal position resume, let's discuss what makes them different from ordinary resumes. It turns out — not much! An internal resume for a promotion or a horizontal change still uses the same parts as a regular resume. Here are the key differences:

Focuses on your current role: Because you already work for the company, focusing on your contributions to your current role is crucial to building a successful internal resume.
Emphasizes company values: Because you understand your organization's goals and values well, you have a unique opportunity to showcase that understanding and highlight how you embody those values.
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.

Sample Resume for an Internal Position

Feel free to use this example as a resume template for an internal position that you can follow as you build your own.

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.

Key Takeaways

Strategize the resume sections

All resumes are built out of the same basic parts. Think hard about how you can make each of these sections into an opportunity to showcase company values and highlight your growth in your current role.
Take advantage of keywords

Your inside knowledge is a huge advantage. Hone it by studying the internal job posting and paying attention to the keywords that your employer uses to describe the ideal candidate for the new role. Make sure your resume is customized and keyword-rich to impress with how well you align with the position.
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.

Resources to Help With Your Job Search

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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.