writing a good internal cover letter

Internal Position cover letter examples

Are you hoping to secure a new position within your existing company?

An internal move can be the perfect solution if you love the company but you want to progress in your career or try your hand at a different department.

Either way, you need to submit a persuasive application, and we’ve created the following guide, complete with several internal position cover letter examples to help you do just that.

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Internal Position cover letter example 1

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Internal Position cover letter example 2

Internal Position cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your Internal Position cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write an Internal Position cover letter

Here’s how you can write your own eye-catching cover letter, broken down into simple steps.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When writing your Internal Position cover letter, it’s best to type the content into the body of your email (or the job site messaging system) and not to attach the cover letter as a separate document.

This ensures that your cover letter gets seen as soon as a recruiter or employer opens your message.

If you attach the cover letter as a document, you’re making the reader go through an unnecessary step of opening the document before reading it.

If it’s in the body of the message itself, it will be seen instantly, which hugely increases the chances of it being read.

Start with a friendly greeting

Start you cover letter with a greeting that is professional but friendly.

This will build rapport with the recruiter whilst showing your professionalism.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you have opened the cover letter with a warm greeting, you need to explain which role you are interested in.

Sometimes a recruitment consultant could be managing over 10 vacancies, so it’s crucial to pinpoint exactly which one you are interested in.

Highlight the department/area if possible and look for any reference numbers you can quote.

These are some examples you can add..

• I am interested in applying for the role of *Internal Position* with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 40f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for an IT project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.

Take a look at the job descriptions you are applying to, and make note of the most important skills and qualifications being asked for.

Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.

Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider you for the job.

Keep it short and sharp

When sending a job application to a recruiter or hiring manager, it is important to remember that they will normally be very busy and pushed for time.

Therefore, you need to get you message across to them quickly (in a matter of seconds ideally). So, keep your cover letter short and to-the-point. A long waffling cover letter will overwhelm recruiters when they are running through hundreds of emails in there inbox, but a concise one will get their attention.

So, keep your cover letter to just a few sentences long, and save the extensive detail for your CV.

Sign off professionally

To round of your CV, you should sign off with a professional signature.

This will give your cover letter a slick appearance and also give the recruiter all of the necessary contact information they need to get in touch with you.

The information to add should include:

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Kindest regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network –  e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Jill North IT Project Manager 078837437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate documents that you could copy in.

What to include in your Internal Position cover letter

Your Internal Position cover letter will be unique to your situation, but there are certain content guidelines you should stick to for best results.

To attract and entice recruiters, stick with the following key subjects in your cover letter – adapting them to fit your profession and target jobs.

• Your professional experience – Employers will be keen to know if your experience is suitable for the job you are applying to, so provide a good summary of it in your cover letter.
• Your qualifications and education – Highlight your most relevant and high-level of qualification, especially if they are essential to the job.
• The positive impact you have made – Employers love to hear about the benefits you can bring to them, so shout about anything impressive you have done, such as saving money or improving processes.
• Your reasons for leaving – Use a few words of your cover letter to explain why you are leaving your current job and ensure you avoid any negative reasons.
• Your availability – Let recruiters know when you can start a new job . Are you immediately available, or do you have a month notice period?

Internal Position cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Internal Position cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

I hope you’re well.

I am delighted to submit my application for the open position of Finance Manager. With 7 years of experience overseeing the finance strategy development as Assistant Finance Manager, combined with my recent master’s in business administration, I am confident in my ability to excel in this elevated role.

Throughout my tenure at CFT Construction, I have successfully led the financial planning and analysis for our residential development unit, demonstrating expertise in advanced financial modelling and budgeting. My implementation of a streamlined financial reporting system in 2021 improved accuracy by 20%, while a new budgeting process reduced variance by 15% within the first year. I effectively guided the multinational management team through their EOY financial analysis as well as spearheading new training initiatives which excellent results, which I would continue in this more senior role.

I am deeply committed to ensuring the growth and sustainability of the company and believe that my specialised operational knowledge would make me a great asset in this role. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.

All the best,

Jordan Teller ¦ 07777777777 ¦ [email protected]

I am thrilled to apply for the position of Executive Secretary. With my 15+ years of service as an Administrative Secretary within the company and my NVQ Level 4 diploma in Business and Administration, I am confident that I can continue providing excellent secretarial support in this new role.

Having provided unwavering support to management professionals in both the healthcare and marketing industries during my career, I possess a diverse skill set, including project management, diary coordination, and expert transcription and proofreading abilities. Within Lead Marketing, I have contributed significantly, streamlining client follow-up systems, resulting in a remarkable 20% improvement in response time. Additionally, my implementation of an expense tracking system for the senior management team led to a remarkable 38% reduction in overspending.

As a dedicated and detail-oriented professional, I am eager to further contribute to the success of Lead Marketing in the capacity of Executive Secretary. I would love to discuss my vision for this role further in an interview when you have availability.

Thomas Stanley ¦ 07777777777 ¦ [email protected]

I am excited to submit my application for the new role of Senior Fashion Buyer at our company, where I believe my proven track record, diverse skill set, and passion for fashion will make a significant impact.

With over 16 years of experience as a Fashion Buyer in the purchasing team, I have garnered extensive expertise in conducting market research, analysing sales trends, and sourcing products from vendors across Europe and the USA. My ability to curate merchandise assortments that align with the latest fashion trends and consumer preferences has consistently driven sales and profitability, as exemplified by the 15% sales increase and 12% reduction in online markdowns achieved through data-driven product selection. Additionally, my proficiency in supplier management and negotiation has fostered strong working relationships which has been recognised by my training contract with the customer service team.

I am eager to further discuss my accomplishments and strategic vision for Marks & Spencer’s as a Senior Fashion Buyer. I am available for interview at any time.

Sunni Carter ¦ 07777777777 ¦ [email protected]

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing that Internal Position, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

WTO / Letters and Emails / Cover Letters / Cover Letter for an Internal Position (Examples & Tips)

Cover Letter for an Internal Position (Examples & Tips)

Whenever you find a new job opening in your current company, you might want to get that job. However, in other circumstances, you might get bored working in the same department or want more money to meet your needs. In these circumstances, you must write a cover letter for an internal position. In addition, it is a cover letter to your employer if you want to change your position or department while staying in the same company.

Writing an internal position cover letter introduces yourself and explains why you are interested in the position. A good cover letter will demonstrate your ability to communicate and sell yourself. Therefore, it should be concise and free of errors.

In your cover letter, focus on your accomplishments in your current job and how they align with the requirements of the new position. In addition, make sure to highlight any skills or experiences that would make you a successful candidate for the new role. Doing this will show that you are qualified for the job and motivated to make an impact in your new position.

This article is an elaborate discussion of writing a cover letter for an internal job position, including:

• What an internal position cover letter is
• How to apply for an internal position
• Differences between an internal position cover letter and a standard cover letter
• Steps for writing an effective cover letter for an internal position
• Best practices and tips to consider when drafting internal position cover letters
• What to do if you want to land an internal position within your organization

What is an Internal Position Cover Letter?

An internal position cover letter is a cover letter that an employee writes to apply for an open position in their company. A company employee writes an internal position cover letter to apply for an internal position that is currently open. It highlights your experience, skills, and qualifications and supports your claims. An internal position cover letter is often used when internal employees are looking to move into another department or when employees want to change positions within their current company.

How to Apply for Internal Position

When you are interested in an internal position that has opened up at your company, it is crucial to follow the proper steps to apply for the job. You may be familiar with the process of applying for a job . However, specific details are needed when applying for an internal position.

Below are some pointers on how to apply for an internal position:

• First, you need to know the availability of a position . You can usually find all the open positions by checking your company’s internal port, contacting human resources directly, networking with your colleagues, by asking the manager if they can put you up for a promotion.
• Next, check the eligibility requirements . Ensure you qualify for the job before applying. Look at the requirements and whether they match your skills.
• The next step is preparing your cover letter .
• Lastly, prepare for the interview . Internal interviews are very similar to regular interviews.

Internal Position Cover Letter Vs. Standard Cover Letter

An internal cover letter is a type of cover letter used when applying for a position within a company. This differs from a standard cover letter when applying for a position with a new company. You will want to include specific things in an internal cover letter that you would not necessarily include in a standard cover letter.

For example:

Recruiters are familiar with the applicant in the case of a cover letter for an internal position or promotion. They know about their background and experience, so applicants record details as honestly as possible.

However, for applicants using standard cover letters, employers are primarily unfamiliar with applicants’ employment profiles. Therefore, there is always the possibility that applicants may exaggerate some of the information provided. Therefore, HR managers may be wary when checking the qualifications of external candidates.

Tip: Discussing your career goals with the employer is essential when eyeing a new position. After that, contact the human resources department and demonstrate your intent. Inquire about current openings and discuss different career paths you might be interested in. It would help if you also considered leaving your resume with the hiring manager.

Six Steps of Writing Cover Letter for Internal Position

When writing an internal position cover letter, you must highlight information from your resume that is relevant to the position. You must also highlight why you are the best candidate for the job.

Below are six essential steps of writing an internal position cover letter:

Step 1: Begin with the most critical information

When you apply for an internal position, it is vital to start your cover letter by introducing yourself . Start with your name, contact details, and the date. Then, write the name of the company and the hiring manager’s name. Before you write the letter’s body, address the recruiter with a proper salutation . For example, “ Dear hiring manager.”

Step 2: Use narrative to write your experiences

Narrative writing allows you to write your experiences powerfully. When writing the body of your internal position cover letter, it is best to use narrative writing since you are talking about your job history. With narratives, you can take your experiences and craft them into a story about how those experiences helped shape who you are today.

You should also share the role you would like to be considered for. In this paragraph, you should highlight how you will be able to handle the new role’s responsibilities. Start with why you are interested in the new post and think you would be a good fit.

Tip: Since the cover letter is the first thing someone sees from you, it must be exceptionally well written. A well-written cover letter appeals to management’s interest and compels them to hold an open discussion with you about your potential position change.

Step 3: Explain your current role and how this role has prepared you for a new job

This paragraph is the most detailed of all sections, as it allows you to talk about your current job and what it has taught you. It would be best if you also spoke about how this job has prepared you for the new role you are applying for. You can then wrap up the body of your internal position cover letter by highlighting any relevant skills and experiences that have helped you excel in your current role.

Furthermore, your experience should prove that you’re flexible, driven, and optimistic about the work you’d be doing in the position to which you’d like to transfer . Include a brief description of your current transferrable duties and how the new job matches your skill set and career goals.

Highlight previous experiences or projects relevant to the new job’s functions. Include specifics and tangible results. Additionally, remember to customize your cover letter depending on whether you’re applying for a promotion , changing departments, or taking on a new position within the same team.

Step 4: Show you have made an impact

Write about the impact you have made in your previous/current job. When you apply for an internal position, it is essential to show that you have made an impact at your company. You can discuss some of the projects you have worked on and how they have benefited the company.

You could also talk about any awards or recognitions from your employer. This will show that you are not only a capable employee but also one whom the organization values. It’s advisable to always back your accomplishments with stats and figures which act as hard evidence.

Tip: Quantifying your accomplishments is essential when writing an internal cover letter. When you quantify your accomplishments, it shows the hiring manager exactly what you have accomplished and how many times you have done it.

Step 5: Include a trusted referral

One of the essential elements of an internal cover letter is to have a trusted referral. A referral is someone who can confirm your skills, experience, and qualifications, for example, your colleagues. Sincere endorsements from reputable referrals like colleagues and managers can support the idea that you are the ideal candidate for a position. Include their information, such as their name and contacts, and a summary of why they recommend you for a position.

Step 6: Show your gratitude

Remember to express your gratitude for being considered for the role. In addition to stating that you feel you are a better fit for the position, thank the hiring manager or whoever else is responsible for giving you a chance to advance within the company. Be sincere and enthusiastic, and make sure your letter is free of grammar or spelling errors. However, avoid groveling since you want the recruiter to know you are confident about your skills.

Cover Letter for Internal Position Sample

James Applicant

665 Apple Street

San Diego, CA 33457

580-455-323

[email protected]

August 9, 2022

Ashley Anita

Director, Communications

Walmart Retail

223 Business Rd.

Manhattan, NY 45689

Dear Ms. Anita,

I am writing to formally apply for the Communications Specialist (Retail) position currently listed in the company website’s jobs section. I believe my qualifications and expertise make me a strong candidate for this job. I have been a loyal employee for nearly five years, and during that time, I have come to understand your company, its mission, and its values. I am impressed by the work in the communications department and would love to be considered for a promotion within the retail division.

My current position involves managing social media and developing new marketing content. I am very organized and detail-oriented, attended several seminars to increase my knowledge in my field of work. I aim to become an asset to your team by providing editing services and creating new ways of communicating effectively with the public. I feel my retail industry knowledge will allow me to contribute quickly and efficiently in this position.

Within the past five months, I have been leveraging my talents to work with a team five days a week, learning new skills and assisting in managing social media accounts. This past year has provided me with invaluable experience and responsibility. I feel confident that the skills gained in my current role would help provide an even more valuable service to the new position.

I have also displayed my capacity to interact with representatives from functional departments and business lines, continuously receiving exceptional ratings on my yearly performance reviews from my superintendents. In addition, I oversaw benefits communications and employee relations and coordinated activities to ensure that all projects were delivered on time.

I want to discuss this with you over lunch to negotiate this position. I am confident that I have the knowledge and expertise required for this position. I eagerly await your response. Thank you for your time.

Cover Letter Examples

Practices to Consider While Writing

When writing an internal position cover letter, there are a few best practices to remember. Below are those good practices to consider when writing an internal position cover letter:

Don’t assume

When you’re applying for an internal position, it’s important to remember that you’re not the only one who wants the job. Just because you already work for the company doesn’t mean you’re a shoo-in for the position. Instead, you may have to work hard to prove that you’re the best candidate. Therefore, ensure you write a great cover letter that puts you in a prime position for the job.

Promote yourself truthfully

As you write your internal position cover letter, it’s essential to be truthful about your qualifications and experience. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t promote yourself. Highlight your successes and skills without appearing to be bragging, making you the perfect candidate for the job. With some self-promotion, you can ensure that your internal position cover letter gets you the job you want.

Don’t take it lightly

Although you are probably excited about the promotion, don’t take it lightly and fail to be organized when writing your cover letter. The intonation in your cover letter should show the seriousness of your objective and the experience.

Use a professional format

You must follow the appropriate format when writing an internal position cover letter. When writing an internal position cover letter, it is also essential to use a professional tone. You do not want to give an unprofessional impression or as someone who does not care about the organization’s reputation.

Be honest about your qualifications for the job. Don’t exaggerate your skills, even if you possess certain traits closely related to the position or the company. Don’t lie if you do not have any experience with a particular technology or program.

Remember brevity is important

Keep it brief, using only a few sentences to make your point. Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. How long would you want to spend reading a cover letter? If your letter is too long and there is nothing in it that makes you stand out, the hiring manager could become bored or frustrated very quickly. Cover letters should be 250-350 words long and divided into three to four paragraphs . If you submit a printed copy, ensure your cover letter is no more than a page long and in 12-point font .

What to Do If You Want Internal Position

Suppose you are interested in a specific internal position. In that case, make sure that your cover letter maintains a professional manner at all times. This means avoiding errors such as misspelled words or poor grammar.

Consider the following points:

Volunteer for leadership positions

It is critical to volunteer for leadership positions within the company. This shows your dedication to the company and willingness to work hard and learn new skills. You do not need a promotion to a higher position to be a leader. All you need is a chance to demonstrate leadership skills.

Take advantage of corporate training opportunities

Take advantage of corporate training opportunities if your company offers them. The best way to ensure an internal promotion is to be the best employee you can be and work hard each day. The best way to accomplish this is to learn as much as possible about what it takes to succeed in your desired role.

Know people from other departments

Building relationships with people from different departments is one of the best ways to improve your career and get an internal promotion. Many offices have departmental subgroups where people gather. A person may work in a place over many years and be practically unknown to those outside their team. That’s a challenge if you want to progress through the ranks. This unfamiliarity could work against you.

Communicate with your current boss

Before submitting your internal position cover letter, speak with your manager, and don’t be afraid to communicate with your current boss. They may be able to give valuable insight into what is most important when it comes to achieving success in the position you are interested in.

Use the same courtesies

When you go to your boss to ask for an internal promotion, you must also show respect by being courteous and polite. When interviewing for an internal position, you should follow the same procedures. Don’t let familiarity substitute your etiquette.

Avoid office politics

When applying for an internal position, avoiding office politics is crucial. This means being careful not to say anything negative about your current or previous department and not gossiping about colleagues. Those who get along with everyone are the ones who get promoted and advance to positions of leadership. This is because they maintain positive relations and do not get involved in office quarrels. As a result, they rise above office gossip and earn respect from their colleagues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Informing your boss could give you a leg up in the interview process. Your boss may be able to put in a good word for you or give you some insight into the company’s plans for the future. Additionally, your boss may appreciate your honesty and forthrightness.

Yes, your manager has the legal right to refuse a transfer or set terms and conditions for relocating to a different position as long as they don’t violate the employment contract or general workplace policies.

At big corporations, you may be able to be transferred to another department or division with very little notice. However, depending on the type of organization that you are working for and your position, you may need to give a month or more of notice before an internal transfer is considered.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internal Position and Examples

Whether it’s for a role in a department you’ve been hoping to join, or another role within your team, an internal...

Whether it’s for a role in a department you’ve been hoping to join, or another role within your team, an internal job application should emphasize why you’re the best fit for the role. To do this, you need to make the most of your cover letter. 

Being a part of the company doesn’t necessarily place you above external applicants. While you have valuable company knowledge, you still need to put as much effort into your application as you would when applying for a job externally.

So yes, you do need to include a cover letter for your internal job application. In fact, 47% of recruiters consider cover letters essential for internal roles. And as many as 45% of hiring managers read the cover letter before the resume. So it’s your chance to make a strong first impression.

“The key to standing out is not to assume that your work speaks for itself. In addition to performance metrics, showcase your softer skills like effective communication, leadership, and adaptability. 

“Draw attention to instances where you've proactively solved problems or helped to streamline processes. 

“Your cover letter and interview should together paint a picture not just of a competent employee, but of a forward-thinking, proactive leader,” says Danilo Godoy , Founder, Wahojobs .

In this article, you’ll learn how to write the perfect cover letter to help you land that internal role, and review examples from our cover letter generator that’ll save you time spent writing a cover letter from scratch. Let’s get to it. 

Our Top Tips for Writing an Internal Cover Letter

You’re looking to position yourself as a strong candidate with a thorough understanding of the organization and requirements of the role. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when crafting your internal cover letter to help you stand out from the competition.

Step 1: Apply for the role like you would any other

You might be applying for an internal role, but that doesn’t mean you should be lax with your application. You need a memorable cover letter that includes all the key points you’d outline in an external job application, such as:

• Why you’re interested in the role
• Any notable achievements and career successes
• Your personality traits that make you a good fit for the team

Step 2: Start on a strong note

Avoid saving the best for last when writing a cover letter . Hiring managers are pressed for time, so pay special attention to your introduction. This is where you’ll catch their attention. Here are some tips for making a great first impression in your cover letter intro : 

• Introduce yourself with your current job title and state the role you’re applying for.
• Share your career goals and passions that align with the requirements of the role you are applying for.
• Mention any relevant qualifications and achievements.

Step 3: State your transferable skills and knowledge

State the skills you’ll bring from your current role that can be applied to the new position, and the relevant knowledge you possess that makes you a great candidate. Showcase your value and highlight your commitment to growth, both for your role and for the company at large.  

If you can show them that you have skills and knowledge that can be used to fulfill the new role quickly and efficiently. This puts you ahead of the competition. 

Step 4: Use your company knowledge to your advantage

You already know how your employer operates, and likely have insights into how this role fits into the broader business. Use this knowledge to your advantage by stating how your skills can solve specific pain points and achieve core business goals. 

By explaining your familiarity with company processes, you’ll demonstrate how much easier it will be for them to onboard you into the new role.  

Hiring managers often favor internal candidates for new positions . Here’s why:

• If you already know how the company processes work, onboarding and training times are shorter. 
• Internal hires are more cost-effective (costing as much as 1.7x less than external candidates) and come with a reduced time-to-hire. That’s because of the time and money it takes to advertise new roles and conduct background checks and any other vetting procedures. 
• Your track record is already easily accessible, and you have already integrated into the company culture.

Step 5: State the name of a colleague who is willing to vouch for you

Another great tip is to include a colleague as a reference to vouch for your work ethic and impact. This could be your manager or co-worker. Hiring managers often need to contact suitable references when vetting candidates. What’s better than someone already working for the company? 

Important note: Speak to your manager about your intention to apply for the new position. This shows integrity and maintains honesty and professionalism throughout the hiring process. Once your manager or supervisor is on board with your decision, they will be an invaluable reference and can support you throughout the application process. 

Cover Letter for an Internal Position Example 

Here’s a professional cover letter example you can adopt to speed up your application process.

Why Does This Cover Letter Work?

The cover letter example provided above creates a solid backbone for an application.  

• It starts with an exciting introduction showcasing the eagerness of the applicant to apply for the new role. 
• It states key and quantifiable achievements in the applicant’s current role to highlight the value they bring to the table. 
• It states the applicant's specific transferable skills that make them fit for the new role.
• It states how the applicant is upskilling to prepare for the new role. 
• It states a key organizational goal and how the applicant’s skills can be useful. This is a great example of how to use your knowledge of the company to your advantage. 
• It includes the name of an insider who can vouch for the applicant, serving as a vote of confidence. 

With our AI cover letter builder and wide range of ready-made, easily customizable templates, applying for that internal role is much easier.

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internal Position or a Promotion

Internal cover letters differ slightly from those written for external roles but still follow many of the same principles. 

1. Follow the Best Practices for a Standard Cover Letter Format

A standard cover letter format includes six core elements: the header, salutation, opening statement, main body, closing statement, and an official sign-off. 

The job post should explain whether to include your cover letter as an attachment or as a document. You will usually be guided on file format, but if there is no information provided in the job ad, a PDF is usually best.

• Spacing : Leave a paragraph space under the heading, intro paragraph, main body text, and conclusion. 
• Font : Ensure that your cover letter and resume use the same type of font and size. Your cover letter needs to be easily readable and meet the requirements for applicant tracking systems (ATSs). In most cases, this will be point 12 font size, and a standard font such as Calibri or Times New Roman.
• Length : Cover letters should never be longer than one page. Your letter should fall somewhere between 250–400 words, broken up into paragraphs for easier reading.

Don’t forget to proofread your letter thoroughly. Spelling and grammatical errors make you look unprofessional.  

2. Start With a Compelling Opening Statement

Your cover letter introduction or opening statement should capture the hiring manager’s attention. 

Since this is an internal position cover letter, begin by expressing how excited you are to apply for the new role. Explain how you’ve been preparing for a career pivot while working in your current position. 

Experts advise you to: 

“Show how your current role has prepared you for this new job, or what extra insights or skills you bring to the table as an internal applicant that give you an advantage over any external hires they’re considering. It can also be valuable to show ways that you’ve made an impact on the company in your current role, or highlight some key accomplishments that demonstrate your value and past successes as an employee.” — Matt Erhard , Managing Partner at Summit Search Group

Your opening statement can also begin with highlighting a specific pain point the organization hopes to solve through the new role and how your skills position you as the best person to solve the problem. 

“I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Full Stack Developer position at Sparkles Limited. As a current Full Stack Engineer at Sparkles Limited, I have had the opportunity to work on various projects and contribute to the company’s success. I am excited about the possibility of taking on a more senior role and continuing to make a significant impact on the development of innovative software solutions.”

3. Highlight the Impact You’ve Made 

Emphasize your value and the difference you’ve made in the organization. This will help you stand out as a candidate. Talk about what you’ve achieved in your current role and how that makes you a great choice for this new position. 

To start, explain the skills, methods, and tools you used to get the required results. Wherever possible, quantify your results with data to make a strong case for how your work contributes to overall business goals. 

“During my time at Sparkles Limited, I have been involved in the development of APIs in .NET Core, impacting thousands of students and internal users. I have also implemented software principles such as SOLID and Clean Code, which have been adopted by the entire team.” 

Add Some Real-Life Results

To emphasize the impact of your abilities, ensure you add real-life results and data. This could demonstrate how you helped exceed a set target in your current role or how you helped save costs and get even better results than planned. 

By stating real-life results and outlining how they impacted the business bottom line, the hiring manager can see how much value you already bring to the table. It also encourages them to think about how much more the business can benefit from your involvement in the new role. 

“Additionally, I have contributed to the development of mobile applications using React-Native and C# and have provided documentation and support to facilitate the work of my colleagues.”

Experts agree. Matt Erhard , Managing Partner at Summit Search Group , had this to say:

“Provide specific, measurable proof of your impact as an employee thus far. The more tangible data that you can point to showing the value you bring to the company, the more you’ll stand out as a candidate.”

4. Expand on How Your Work Experience at the Company has Prepared You for This Role

To make for a strong case on why you’re a perfect fit, indicate how your current position relates to the new role you’re applying for. 

To start, state your transferable skills, both hard skills and soft skills. You can also note any specific responsibilities you carry out in your current position that will be needed in the new role. Make sure you’ve cross-checked these against the job description.

In addition, list examples of collaborative projects you worked on that are related to the new position and how they have prepared you for the role.

“Beyond my technical skills, I am a strong communicator and collaborator. I have experience working in cross-functional teams and understand the importance of effective communication and teamwork to deliver successful projects. I am also a web content writer for dev.to and Bit News, where I have written articles on emerging technologies and technology news, reaching a wide audience and demonstrating my ability to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely.”

Share the Qualifications You’ve Gained Over the Period

To strengthen your cover letter, add any relevant training you have under your belt, certifications acquired, and personal projects where you gained additional experience. This demonstrates your commitment to growth.

“Over the past few years, I have honed my skills as a full-stack developer, working with various technologies, including Vue, React, React Native, .NET Core, and SQL (PostgreSQL). I have also gained experience in Agile methodologies, design patterns (TDD, DDD, SOLID), and web design principles (Adobe XD, UX/UI).”

And if you’re applying for a promotion, include details on any leadership experience or skills. 

“If you have taken on any leadership roles in your current position that is a great thing to include. This doesn’t need to be a formal leadership position. Demonstrating how you’ve served as an informal leader within your team can also show that you’re ready to take on this responsibility in a more formal capacity.” — Matt Erhard , Managing Partner at Summit Search Group

5. Include an Internal Referral 

Including the name of an internal referral who will vouch for you is another crucial part of nailing an internal cover letter. This could be your manager, a colleague, or even an individual in the department you are looking to move into. An internal referral positions you as a reliable and trustworthy candidate who is fully immersed in the organization. 

Experts like Matt Erhard , Managing Partner at Summit Search Group , agree this is a winning strategy: 

“Another thing you can do to stand out is include a reference from someone in leadership within the company. Having a trusted individual who can vouch for and verify your capability can make a major difference when hiring teams are choosing which candidates to move forward through the process.”

6. Thank the Manager for Their Time

End the letter by thanking the manager for the time they took to review your application. You should also express gratitude for the growth opportunities the company provides. 

“Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the prospect of continuing my professional growth at Sparkles Limited and would love the opportunity to continue to contribute to the company’s growth and success.”

Ready to Apply for a Promotion? Use our Cover Letter Template

Now that you’ve settled the basics, it’s time to send in your application for that internal promotion. However, you don’t need to write your cover letter from scratch, especially when you are pressed for time with other work commitments. This is where our cover letter templates come in.  

With our ready-to-use cover letter templates, applying for a new role is quick and easy. With just a few tweaks, you can tailor your Rezi cover letter to meet the requirements of any internal role. 

Expand Your Knowledge with Our Cover Letter Resources

Knowledge is power, and with expert cover letter knowledge, you can take your career to new heights. 

On our blog, you can gain in-depth knowledge on how to write a cover letter, know what a good cover letter includes , and get access to a wide range of diverse and comprehensive cover letter examples . 

And once you’re ready to get started on the perfect cover letter, you can try Rezi for free today .

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

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How To Write A Cover Letter For An Internal Position Or Promotion (with Examples)

• Cover Letter Examples
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• How To Write A Cover Letter For A Job With No Experience In That Field

Find a Job You Really Want In

When you find a position you’re interested in, you’ll likely still need to apply just like everyone else, which means you shouldn’t neglect your cover letter. This is why knowing how to write a cover letter for an internal position is important.

Whether you’re going for an internal position or a promotion, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll go over how to write a cover letter for an internal position or promotion, provide a sample cover letter, and give you some tips to keep in mind when writing yours.

Key Takeaways

When writing a cover letter for promotion, you should put just as much effort into it as you would when applying to an external position — don’t assume you’ll automatically get any favor just because you already work at the company.

Be specific about why you’re the right candidate for this role and how you’d help the company by working in that new capacity.

Your cover letter for internal promotion should only be one page long, so include only the necessary details.

How to write a cover letter for an internal position or promotion

Cover letter example for an internal position or promotion, cover letter for an internal position or promotion template, tips for writing a promotion or internal cover letter, how an internal cover letter differs from a standard cover letter, cover letter for internal position faq.

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In order to craft a stand-out cover letter that will stand out among the pile of other applications, it will be crucial to understand the specific elements that should be included. Those include (in order of appearance):

Date and contact formation. This should include your contact information and the date of submission.

Be sure to also include the employer, hiring manager , or recruiter’s name (whoever will be reading the cover letter) and professional information.

Opening paragraph. Explain how your current role prepared you for the new position. Include information regarding the specific role and department that you’re applying for.

Body paragraph. This should be a detailed (but brief) explanation of your current role, previous experience, and notable achievements at your employer’s company. Be sure to highlight both “hard skills” (technical skills) as well as “soft skills” (interpersonal communication skills).

Closing paragraph. This paragraph should show your expression of gratitude to your employer for your previous experience with the company up to this point, and for the opportunity to be considered for the role you’re now applying for.

You can also include information regarding how the recipient – i.e., the hiring manager or your employer – can get in touch with a trusted referral (be sure to confirm with that referral beforehand that he or she is willing to have their information included in your cover letter).

Closing and sign off. End with an appropriate closing and your signature if you’ll be handing in a physical copy of the cover letter.

Keeping in mind all of the themes that we’ve already outlined above, here’s a cover letter sample for an internal position or promotion:

August 10, 2023 Marissa Swarts Human Resources Manager Swarts & Sons Enterprises [email protected] Dear Mrs. Swarts, I’m excited to submit my candidacy for the role of Content Strategist in the company’s Marketing department. I began my employment with Swarts amp; Sons in August 2018 as an Assistant Copywriter. I have spent the last two years honing and broadening my abilities and learning a great deal from my managers within the department. I believe that the job requirements of the Content Strategist role that you’ve outlined on the company website match the skill set I have developed during my tenure with the company. I’ve contributed to a wide range of valuable projects for the company. Beginning in February of 2019, I spearheaded the new blog strategy which has become the primary format for blog post drafting and publishing across the entire Marketing department. Additionally, I helped launch a department-wide training program on basic SEO practices in May 2019. This program has boosted our company’s website traffic by as much as 25%. If you’re interested in learning more about my experience and accomplishments within the company, I encourage you to reach out to my supervisor , Edwin James ([email protected]). I have worked closely with Mr. James over the course of the last two years, and he would be glad to answer any questions that you might have about my suitability for the Content Strategist role. Thank you very much for your time and for the opportunity to be considered for this position. It’s been a great privilege working with Swarts amp; Sons, and I look forward to continuing to grow within the company. Sincerely, Andy Axelrod

Here is a template to help you get started on your cover letter. Be sure you tailor it to your specific needs before sending it to your hiring manager or recuiter.

August 10, 2023 Dear, Mr. Smith, I am writing to express my strong interest in the [position name] within [department name], as advertised on the company’s internal job posting. Having been part of the [current department name] team for [years on the team], I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute my skills to a new role that aligns closely with my career aspirations and the goals of the company. Throughout my time with [company name], I have consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the company’s success, such as [mention specific achievements, projects, or initiatives you’ve been involved with]. In my current position as [current position title], I have developed a foundation in [mention specific skills, responsibilities, or accomplishments], which I believe puts me in a position for success in [position you’re applying for]. I am particularly excited about [mention specific aspects that intrigue you]. This opportunity aligns perfectly with my long-term career goals, and I am eager to contribute to [department name]’s success. Thank you for your consideration. I welcome the chance to discuss how my experience and enthusiasm align with [position name] in more detail at [your contact information]. Please find my resume attached for your review. Sincerely, [your name]

You should never assume that you will get the position just because you have experience within the company. You should also stick to a professional format when writing your letter. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when writing your cover letter for a promotion or an internal position:

Don’t assume. Don’t expect that you’ll be chosen solely on the basis of the fact that you have experience within the company you’re applying to. If you’re keenly interested in a job opening, there’s a very good chance that a large number of other internal (as well as external) applicants are too. Make the effort to put your best foot forward with a polished application and cover letter.

Be truthfully self-promoting. By drafting and submitting a high-quality cover letter, you have a golden opportunity to communicate the specific reasons why you’re the ideal candidate for the role in a way that doesn’t sound braggy. Talk about your skills and accomplishments without stretching the truth but also without being self-deprecatingly modest.

Don’t take your cover letter lightly. In many cases, it (along with resumes ) will be a key factor in a hiring manager’s decision regarding which applicants are qualified to advance to the interview stage .

Stick to a classic, professional format. Adhering closely to a tried-and-true cover letter template (like the one we’ve outlined above) will help you to create a cover letter that will grab the eye of any hiring manager without making them work too hard to figure out how your letter is laid out.

Remember brevity is important. Hiring managers and HR employees tend to be very busy people, and it’s one of their job requirements to review dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of job requirements.

Don’t lie. You should never lie on your cover letter or resume, but this is especially important for a cover letter for an internal position or promotion.

Now, it’s important to understand from the outset that the process of drafting a cover letter for an internal position or promotion will differ in some important respects from that of a cover letter that’s submitted by an external applicant.

Cover letter for internal position. In the case of a cover letter for an internal position or promotion, the hiring manager will very likely already be (at least somewhat) familiar with the applicant’s background and experience, which makes it very important for the applicant to record details as truthfully as possible.

Standard cover letter. In the latter case, an employer will be largely unfamiliar with the applicant’s professional profile, so there’s always the chance that the applicant might risk exaggerating (or fabricating) some of the information that’s included. This leads to an understandable wariness in the minds of many hiring managers when they’re reviewing the qualifications of an external candidate.

It’s also important to bear in mind that internal applicants have some significant advantages over external applicants in the review and hiring process. As an internal applicant, you’ll be able to:

Draw on specific contributions that you’ve already made to the company

Include references who are (ideally) trusted acquaintances of the hiring manager

Understand what the company values and use that to your advantage

These factors make it much more likely that your application will be favored – and ultimately selected – during the hiring process.

Do you write a cover letter for an internal position?

Yes, you should write a cover letter when applying for an internal position. Writing a well-crafted cover letter helps distinguish you as a strong candidate for promotion among your competition and allows you to formally apply for the position.

How do I write a cover letter for a promotion?

When writing a cover letter for a promotion, be sure to explain your interest in the job and what your qualifications are for the position. Although your hiring manager may already know your accomplishments and experience, it’s a good idea to reiterate them all in one document to demonstrate your readiness for a new position.

Additionally, you should include your knowledge of the company’s mission, needs, and the growth you have experienced in your current position thus far.

Including these things reminds your employer that you have a history with the company, that you have directly contributed to its success, and that you are invested in its mission and goals.

Craft your cover letter for promotion exactly as you would a regular cover letter, but be sure to add the prior mentioned specifics to demonstrate the value of promoting an internal employee versus hiring an outside candidate.

The first paragraph should begin with a statement of interest regarding the position. Here you can summarize your career goals and any stand-out qualifications or accomplishments.

Your second paragraph should discuss your qualifications and experience in more detail by including figures and data when possible.

Your third paragraph should expand on your improvements in your current job since joining the company. Be sure to tie these to the open position at hand.

Your final paragraph should remind the hiring manager of your interest and include the next step in the hiring process. Don’t forget to express your gratitude before signing off with a formal closing.

How do you start a promotion cover letter?

Start your promotion cover letter by saying, “I would like to formally apply for the [job title] position in the [department].

When you send a cover letter internally, it’s assumed you have discussed the position at hand with your current or new hiring manager.

They may anticipate you applying, so it’s a great idea to articulate that this is simply your formal application when crafting your cover letter.

How long should your cover letter be for an internal position?

Your cover letter should only be one page for an internal position. You should only include the necessary details that pertain to the position that you are applying to. Your cover letter should be one page single-spaced.

Is a cover letter for a promotion necessary?

Yes, a cover letter for a promotion is necessary if the job requires one. You should never assume that you are going to get a promotion just because you work for the company. You should write your cover letter the same way you would if you were applying as an outside candidate. Make sure you are professional in your letter. Just because you work with the hiring manager doesn’t mean you can slack off.

Harvard University – Resumes and Cover Letters

Broad Institute – Cover Letter for a Job

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Kate is a graduate of Brigham Young University, where she completed a degree in Comparative Literature with a minor in Mathematics. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys hiking and reading.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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How To Create A Cover Letter For An Internal Position

In This Guide:

Cover letter for internal position template, setting the tone, connect your experiences and skills.

Show Gratitude (It's Not About Me, Me, Me)

You've worked hard, put your time in, but now you're looking for something more.

Your dedication and patience have paid off because now you found a new position that you know that you're qualified for.

And best of all: It's inside the company that you're working at.

After seeing how hard you work, your manager may have tapped you on the shoulder for a promotion. Your leadership skills make you the ideal candidate for a management position, and now you need your cover letter to reflect that.

Or maybe you have the drive and ambition to go further than the current position that you're in. You've seen a job opening in another department at your company, and you want to throw your hat in for the position.

Whether you're being promoted or looking for a job that better suits you, your cover letter needs to show that you will excel in the new position that you're applying for.

You have a major leg up on the rest of the competition because you already know the people, vision, and values of the company that you're applying for.

You have your foot in the door, and now all you need to do is pry it open a little more and step in.

We can help you with that.

In this article, you'll learn:

• How to set the tone for a cover letter for an internal position.
• How to connect your experiences and skills to the position that you're applying to.
• How to quantify your achievements at your current job.
• How to show gratitude to your current manager, team members, and the organization for which you work.

While I've got you here, if you're looking to create a cover letter which will wow any hiring manager, Enhancv has over 500 examples of professional cover letters to gain information from.

Upload & Check Your Resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Dwayne J. Nicole

Marketing Analyst

312-456-5555

[email protected]

Linkedin.com/in/dwayne-nicole

Chicago, April 18, 2022

Bryanna Bartlett

Senior Marketing Director

Northern Electric, Inc.

450 Pullman Road

Chicago, Illinois

Dear Mrs. Bartlett,

As a loyal employee of Northern Electric, I am excited to be interviewing for the position of Marketing Manager in the North-east region. I have worked under Shawn Tuttle for the last few years as a marketing analyst. Shawn has mentored me in the role of customer relationship management for the last three years, and I have grown leaps and bounds in my understanding of how to properly market and sell the products of Northern Electric. I am truly grateful that Shawn has recommended me for this promotion, and I also feel confident that I can excel in this role and help to provide future growth to the company.

I have been with the company for over 10 years, starting out on the sales team. I pride myself on my ability to learn quickly, and I have developed excellent communication skills, with both customers and team members. As well, I create a great rapport with the customers with whom I spoke, making sure that their needs were covered, which can be easily seen in my customer satisfaction which is 97%.

In the last three years working under Shawn, I've gained experience overseeing sales teams, and as a result of my work I have seen my sales team produce a 5% increase in profits this quarter. In fact, under my leadership, we saw sales of our new line of PLC computers grow by almost 10%. Throughout this time, one of the things that differentiated me from other marketing analyst team leaders was that I promoted a holistic view of customer relationships, utilizing Customer Relationship Management software. I gained a special understanding of how to turn inbound leads into clients, all the while prioritizing the needs of the clients.

I've read the job description for the marketing manager of the North-eastern region, and I believe I will excel in the position because I have already performed many of the requirements found within. I have filled leadership positions, and I excelled because I chose a servant leadership model, one in which I chose to lead from the front and take into consideration the needs of other team members.

Thank you for your time and consideration in reviewing my application. My supervisor will be happy to meet with you to shed light on any of the items that I mentioned in this cover letter. Please reach out to me if you need more information about my work experience and technical skills. I would be happy to help with anything that you need.

Dwayne Nicole

Writing a cover letter for an internal position is like reuniting with an old friend.

You are a known entity within your organization .

Good for you! That first step of networking is already out of the way!

It may be even better if you are applying for a new position within your organization which is overseen by your current manager.

And even if you don't have a relationship with your hiring manager, you will have made a name for yourself within the organization. They will know of you, even before you apply for the job.

But before you jump into writing your cover letter, the tone that you use for your letter is incredibly important. Check out the tips below to help craft a cover letter which hits the mark:

Keep The Tone Professional

One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing a cover letter is that it is a formal letter.

An article in the Atlantic states that a cover letter's main purpose, from when it was first introduced in the US in the 1930's, was "to paint a picture that might not easily emerge from the denser material that was, well, under cover."

What a cover letter does is show the hiring manager that you are the most capable, dependable person for the position.

If you want to show that you are the most capable person for the position, keep the tone fairly professional by using these methods:

Properly Format Your Cover Letter Header

By including a properly formatted cover letter header, you show you view this document as a formal, professional letter. Even if you are simply dropping the letter off in your manager's office, be sure to include information like:

• Personal information: your name, your email address, phone number,
• The date you are writing
• The hiring managers information: their name, position in the company, and the address of your company.

If you'd like to see more examples of how to format your cover letter header, check out this article on Enhancv which provides examples and solutions to create a properly formatted cover letter header.

Keep The Body of The Letter Professional

Remember, a cover letter is a document that is addressed to a specific person, usually the hiring manager. Even if you know the hiring manager from your current position, try to keep informalities out of the writing.

Also, try to avoid negative comments about your current manager.

Use Your Cover Letter To Tell a Story

The dominant tone of your cover letter should be geared towards an exploration of your story , with an emphasis on what makes you exceptional, and the ideal candidate to fill this position.

It's hard to sell ourselves. Even those whose current role is in the sales and marketing field may have a difficult time with sharing about what makes us unique.

Many of us have been told from when we were little we shouldn't brag about ourselves.

But I'll tell you that when writing a cover letter, the most important thing you can do is share about your accomplishments, how you've grown as a leader and gained technical skills and abilities.

It's not bragging to explain where you excelled in your position.

Soft Skills Vs. Hard Skills

Soft skills.

Soft skills involve people skills, like communication, leadership, and any habits which make you work better in a team. When you are applying for a promotion, highlight the soft skills that you've gained through your current position, especially those that involve leadership.

Soft skills to promote in your cover letter include:

• Your ability to collaborate within teams
• Your public speaking ability
• Your ability to problem solve
• How you manage your time
• Leadership skills
• Your ability to adapt

Check out this article if you’d like find descriptive words to describe yourself:

The Best Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume

Hard Skills

Alternatively, hard skills are technical skills which you gain through years of experience working in your field, as well as skills that you've gained through school or other courses. If you're considering transferring to another department, highlight relevant technical skills which would make you the perfect fit for that department.

Although hard skills completely depend on the field within which you work, let's look at one example which can help you understand which hard skills to promote. If you are an IT security manager, some hard skills that you could promote include:

• Your knowledge of cloud computing
• How you visualize and create virtual images or maps
• Your experience with IT Security management software
• Your understanding of enterprise architecture management

Highlight Soft Skills For A Promotion

When you write a cover letter for a promotion, you should highlight your experience in a leadership role. Provide examples from your current job of when you've managed teams of colleagues.

Point to quantitative results that you've shown as a leader of a team. If you’ve seen a major sales profits increase while you were the team leader, mention that you were the one leading, encouraging, and facilitating the growth of your team members throughout the process.

Here are some examples which you can use for your cover letter:

• If you were the team lead for a sales team and you saw sales increase in one quarter 6%, highlight those results in your cover letter.
• If you introduced new software which allowed your team to better collaborate on projects, as well as introducing everyone to that software, mention the percentage of people that adopted the software into their regular, everyday work.

Promote Hard Skills for a Transfer

When you're moving laterally within a company, moving from one department to another, you should consider highlighting hard skills that you've learned in your current position, which are transferable to another department.

Transferring is typical within the IT industry, and many of the skills you gain in one position can be transferred to another department.

For example, if you were working in the IT field and you wanted to get to the cyber security field, there are a lot of skills that you may have gained along the way which could be promoted in a cover letter:

• Mention any courses that you've taken throughout your time working in the IT field. Specifically, if you've learned specialized cyber security software, mention the software by name.
• Highlight the role that you may have played in addressing the company's need for greater security of cloud computing programs.

Show Gratitude (It's Not About Me, Me, Me)

In your cover letter, try to give credit to where credit is due. If you're mentioning your current supervisor, highlight the ways in which they have played a major role in making you into the person you are today.

Every single person on this earth can owe their success to a select number of people in their life.

Show gratitude to those that have helped you.

Also, a cover letter is written to a specific person, and therefore, shows some gratitude to the person who is reading the cover letter. Thank the hiring manager for taking the time to read through your cover letter. Ask them if they need any more information from you.

If you're interested in learning more about how to end your cover letter, check out this article on how to end your cover letter .

• Keep the tone of your cover letter professional by including a properly formatted cover letter header.
• When transferring to a new position in your company, use hard technical skills that you've learned to prove your competency.
• When writing a cover letter for promotion, highlight the soft skills that you've learned, like communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Show gratitude to your current manager as well as the hiring manager whose reading the document.

Creating a cover letter from scratch isn’t easy. We totally get it! So why not let us help you? At Enhancv, we have a custom Cover Letter Builder which you can use to create the perfect cover letter for an internal position.

• Cover Letter Guides

How to Write an Initial Message to a Hiring Manager (With Examples)

How to include p&l responsibility on your resume, how do you respond to a resume received email, what should you name your cover letter file, how to write a recommendation letter in 4 simple steps with template and sample letters (linkedin reference included), linkedin profile tips: how to create an impressive profile that gets noticed.

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How to Write an Effective Internal Position Cover Letter and Resume

You have probably spent years working for your organization. You deliver outstanding results, meet company goals, and now you feel it’s time to advance into a different department or ask for a promotion. But how do you go about it? It’s easy to assume that you don’t need to submit an internal position cover letter and resume because your track record already speaks volumes.

However, that isn’t always the case. Whether you’re seeking a promotion or applying for a new departmental position, you must submit a cover letter and an internal position resume. Usually, this application centers on your current role and convinces the hiring manager and managerial staff that you are ready for the position. 

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Keep reading to learn several tips and tricks that will guide you in writing a successful internal position cover letter and resume.

Internal Position Cover Letter Guide

Writing a cover letter for an internal position shouldn’t be as challenging because you already know the company dynamics. You only need to express your interest in the job and explain how you intend to transition into the new role. You can list a few of the significant achievements you have accomplished in your current role.

Why Does Your Internal Position Cover Letter Matter?

An internal cover letter is important because it positions you as a strong candidate for the role. Not every department manager knows your achievements and skills. Writing a cover letter to accompany your resume captures the hiring manager’s attention, giving you an upper hand.

Most people who apply for internal positions are highly qualified and deserving. A cover letter allows you to vouch for yourself and explain why you are the right pick for the job. You can showcase your contribution to the company and explain how your current role shaped you for the new position.

Essential Components of Your Internal Position Cover Letter

Internal position cover letters follow the same cover letter format as universal cover letters . However, the letter’s contents will focus more on your current position and not previous job opportunities. Here are the most significant components of an internal position cover letter.

• Contact information. You will include your contact information and the company’s information. In addition, you will add the date of your application. Your information allows the recruiters to give you feedback and the date proves that you submitted your application before the deadline.
• Salutation. You will address the letter to the hiring manager using their name. Luckily, because it is an internal job posting, you can find the hiring manager’s name. Using the official name makes the letter more personable and captures attention.
• Two or three body paragraphs. Start by expressing interest in the open position and highlighting your qualifications. The next paragraph covers how your capabilities align with the job opening. Include hard data to prove your achievements at the company. Finally, explain how you have grown in your current position and how your skills will contribute to your success in the new role.
• Conclusion. This paragraph concludes the letter by expressing gratitude to the hiring manager and prompting them to consider you for the next step of the hiring process. It should be about two to three sentences in length and conclude with a handwritten signature and formal closing, such as “kind regards” or “sincerely.”

5 Tips for Writing a Strong Internal Position Cover Letter

There are hundreds of tips when it comes to writing cover letters. However, writing an internal position cover letter requires more attention and knowledge of the company culture and products. Here are the five top tips to implement in your cover letter.

• Be professional. You may be a seasoned employee, but that doesn’t mean you can rely on your relationships at the company to get ahead. Don’t randomly throw in your boss’s name unless you’re using them for a recommendation. Write a formal letter like you would for an external position.
• Use insider knowledge. As an employee, you already know about the organization. Tailor your achievements to match what the company is looking for in a candidate. Highlight specific contributions and explain why they make you the right fit for the job opening. You can use figures and measurable outcomes to emphasize your point.
• Keep it short. Cover letters should be brief and to the point. Typically, your cover letter should be around 250-350 words, which is under one page. Only focus on meaningful information to make your cover letter captivating. Your resume will contain additional information.
• Speak highly of your boss. Always show gratitude and explain that your boss played a crucial role in preparing you for the new position. Keep in mind, the chances of the hiring managers reaching out to your boss for confirmation on your work are very high.
• Proofread your work. Don’t ever submit your job application before proofreading. Proofreading helps you correct grammatical errors and edit out unnecessary information. Your hiring manager will appreciate a well-crafted cover letter.

Internal Position Cover Letter Example

Now that you’re aware of the components and tips for writing a professional cover letter, you can go ahead and draft a few examples. But if you also need a practical example, here is a sample cover letter for an internal position.

Internal Position Cover Letter Sample

123 Street St., New York, NY

(123) 456 7890

[email protected]

November 20, 2021

Madeleine Woods

XYZ Creatives

321 Manhattan, New York

Dear Ms. Woods,

I am writing to formally express my interest in the Digital Marketing Manager position in the Sales and Marketing Department. I was ecstatic to learn about the role as it allowed me to showcase my leadership skills and long-term experience in digital marketing. I am currently working in the same department as an assistant sales manager.

When I joined XYZ Creatives in 2017 as a Sales Associate, my goal was to learn and contribute to the department and organization at large. Since then, I have gained extensive experience in online sales, digital marketing, and management. I have also risen to become an assistant sales manager, working under the most supportive department head.

My digital marketing expertise led to a 32 percent client growth and improved client satisfaction ratings. In addition, I joined a digital marketing bootcamp in 2020 to learn about analytical marketing skills, digital marketing tools, improving client loyalty online and in person, and more. I can use my knowledge and experience in the sales department to ensure client satisfaction and lay a firm foundation for the long-term success of digital marketing campaigns at XYZ Creatives.

I have attached my resume, which features all my notable achievements and skills. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss further the Digital Marketing Manager position and how to move XYZ Creatives forward. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you,

Internal Position Resume Guide

Although you submitted your resume when applying for your current role, you still need to write a new one for the internal position. Remember, you have made more strides in your career path and achieved new goals along the way, so you should update your resume to reflect those accomplishments. Keep reading for tips on how to write a winning resume .

Why Does Your Internal Position Cover Letter and Resume Matter?

An internal position resume allows you to add the new achievements and skills that you developed while in your current position. For example, you may have attended a coding bootcamp or contributed severally to the success of various company initiatives. Adding these achievements to your resume makes you a strong contender for the position.

Whether you’re seeking an opportunity for a promotion or applying for a new position, hiring managers always expect a fresh resume. An official application process places you in the same position as external candidates, meaning all your application materials are necessary.

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Furthermore, internal resumes allow you to use specific client names, programs, and initiatives that the hiring manager is familiar with. You can include reviews from your colleagues and department manager to prove that you are the ideal candidate. A specific and detailed resume will demonstrate how you’ve made an impact on the company since you were first hired.

Essential Components of Your Internal Position Resume

Unlike typical resumes, resumes for an internal position focus more on your career paths within the company. All you’re doing is adding to an already submitted resume while focusing on relevant achievements, skills, and goals. However, you need to write a new one and include these essential components.

• Contact information: The header features your full name and contact information. You will include your phone number, physical address, email address, and professional profile, such as LinkedIn. This section also allows you to upgrade your information if you have moved within the employment period.
• Professional summary. You must write a new professional summary to demonstrate your growth within the company. This section features your career objectives and an overview of your professional life within the organization.
• Work experience. In an internal resume, this section focuses on your duties and achievements within the company. However, if your previous experience from a different employer is relevant to the position, it is essential to add that to your resume. Alternatively, if you don’t have extensive experience working for the company, you can also rely on previous experience.
• Education. Your education history is significant because it helps the hiring manager determine whether you’re the right candidate for the role. Add relevant education history to this section.
• Skills. This section is where you get to brag a little and showcase your skills. Note down previous skills and all the skills you learned as an employee of the company. These can include technical skills and soft skills that are relevant to the position.
• Additional sections. These sections include the hobbies and interests you picked up, courses, awards, certifications, memberships, and other relevant information. These sections are not mandatory, but they can help boost your resume and place you ahead of other internal candidates.

5 Tips for Writing a Strong Internal Position Resume

Your resume can make or break your application. Generally, hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes, and many lack the patience to understand a poorly written resume. Here are five essential tips to guide you in writing your internal position resume to avoid such instances.

• Write a new resume. When writing a resume for an internal position, it is advisable to write an entirely new resume instead of editing your previous resume. You will need to add new skills, achievements, and promotions. In addition, writing a new resume shows that you are serious about the job application.
• Change your professional summary. Altering your summary is important because, over the years, your career aspirations and goals will change. You will achieve your career objectives and develop new ones, making your previous professional summary irrelevant. In addition, your professional summary must align with the target position.
• Use keywords. Hiring managers seek the services of resume scanning software to select the best resumes. These scanners detect specific keywords set by the managers and separate the resumes accordingly. To ensure your resume is prioritized, go through the job description and include relevant keywords within your application.
• Focus on your internal achievements. Demonstrate your accomplishments as a hard-working employee, team player, and leader. If the hiring manager is impressed by your hard work and commitment as a loyal employee, you will likely become the best candidate for promotion.
• Adapt the company language. As an employee, you already understand the company culture. That means you can use company language in certain sections of your resume. For example, if your employer is focused on client satisfaction and mentoring as the key company goals, ensure you strategically add these words to your resume.

Internal Position Resume Examples

If you have a hard time drafting the perfect internal position resume, you can use resume builders, which feature templates and resume samples. We have also outlined two resume examples to guide you during the writing process. One focuses on the skills section and the second one features a full resume template for internal positions.

Internal Position Resume Sample: The Skills Section

While the specific skills included in this section may vary based on the keywords mentioned in the job description, below are some of the typical qualifications professionals tend to have within their documentation.

• Data analysis, content creation, SEO, and CRM, which are requisite skills in digital marketing
• Excellent sales skills to enhance client growth and loyalty
•   Adept leadership skills demonstrated through timely deliveries in the sales department
• Interpersonal skills to maintain solid client relationships and the marketing team
• Project management skills to facilitate professional development opportunities
• Knowledge of Semrush, Google Analytics, Hubspot, WASK, and Act-On

Sample Internal Position Resume Template

Phone Number, Email Address

LinkedIn Profile

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Write a captivating summary that will capture the reader’s attention. In 2-3 sentences, express a bit of your personality, experience level, achievements within the company, and career objectives.

WORK EXPERIENCE

List your work experience using bullet points and in chronological order. Remember to include all your promotions (if any) and responsibilities. You can also list your key achievements below each role.

Company, City, State

Dates Employed

• List responsibilities

Key Achievements

• List relevant achievements

List your education starting with the highest degree. If you advanced your education after receiving employment, state that clearly in this section. You don’t have to add high school information if you have a university degree.

List all the relevant skills using bullet points. Remember to tailor these skills to match the job opening. You can refer to the section above.

CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS

List all your certifications and awards. You can skip this section if you don’t have any certifications or awards.

Internal Position Resume Template Resources

• Microsoft . Microsoft offers different resume templates for internal company promotions and transfers. They are downloadable word documents that you can tailor to suit your application.
• Template.net . This site features several resume templates for different career fields. You will find internal position templates for sales managers, audit directors, communication managers, and more.
• Indeed . This popular job search platform also offers resources on writing a strong resume. There are templates, tips, and examples for writing your internal position resume. 

Importance of an Internal Position Cover Letter and Resume

An internal position cover letter and resume are essential for the organization and employees. These application materials make the process more credible because all internal candidates follow the same application process. In addition, you have the opportunity to showcase your demonstratable success and contributions to the company.

Internal Position Cover Letter and Resume FAQ

Your cover letter should focus inward, highlighting your contributions to the current company. You will include measurable outcomes of your work and the relevant experience that makes you the ideal candidate for the position.

Yes. A resume is mandatory when applying for an internal promotion or transfer. Writing a fresh resume allows you to include any relevant achievements, skills, and education certificates you attained after your employment. These additions make a significant difference in your job application.

An internal position cover letter is less detailed compared to a resume. Your cover letter offers a brief introduction of your interest in the position and why you are the right candidate. It also highlights significant achievements and skills, whereas a resume gives a more detailed overview of your work experience and broader career plans.

The best way to apply for an internal position is to submit a well-crafted cover letter and resume, expressing your interest in the position. Leverage your skills, achievements, and contribution to the company to prove that you are the right fit. Once your application is submitted, you can send a follow-up a few days or weeks later, depending on the feedback timeframe.

About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication .

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Cover letter for internal application

Writing a cover letter for internal positions is a unique experience. The company already knows your background, current level of performance, and how you fit in with company culture, yet you must still be able to prove you’re the right person for the job. Learn how to write an internal cover letter to stand out and gain an edge over external applicants when applying for a new role in your current company.

Highlight your company knowledge and culture

Many resume articles can show you how to create a list of skills, but hiring managers also want to know if the candidate they select for the job will fit in with the company culture they’ve worked so hard to build.

The good news is that if you’ve worked at the business for any length of time, you already have what you need to convey this in your cover letter. Here are three ways to communicate this important distinction to the person reviewing your application.

Showcase familiarity with processes and procedures

Hiring someone internally often means less work for the hiring manager because they don’t have to acquaint you with how things are done around the office.

Therefore, you want to communicate to the hiring manager that one advantage of hiring you is that you already understand company processes and procedures. Note ways you’ve adhered to them in your work, such as always speaking courteously to customers or showing professionalism when collaborating with teammates. 

Demonstrate your understanding of goals, values, and mission

Remind the hiring manager of the company’s strategic goals and mission. Then, tell them how having you in a new role will help them meet them.

What skills do you bring to the table that will help company leadership get where they want to go? Why will exercising those skills in a new way be the key to unlocking the company’s potential and helping the team move forward?

Display an awareness of company culture and dynamics

Hiring managers want candidates who fit in with company culture, knowing those who do are often happier, more engaged, and more productive.

As you write about your work and accomplishments in your current role, discuss how you’ve upheld and positively contributed to company culture and dynamics. This is especially important if it's something you’ve been recognized for in the past.

Discuss your current position and achievements 

Since you already work for the company, you may have an advantage over others applying from outside.

Remember, however, that while the HR manager may know who you are, they don’t necessarily work closely with you each day. Consequently, they’ll likely need you to help them see the full picture of your professional achievements. Here are several ways to accomplish this in your cover letter .

Talk about your role in depth

In a cover letter for internal positions, it’s important to write about how what you’ve done so far relates to the company’s overall mission or has helped it reach its goals. This shows that you take your current role seriously and aren’t just trying to avoid a job you dislike.

Showcase your overall growth

When writing a cover letter for an internal position, examples of growth in your current role are critical. If the hiring manager can clearly see how you’ve helped your team get to the next level, they’re more likely to believe you’ll do the same in a different position.

Highlight your transferable skills

As you tweak your resume examples and cover letters for internal positions, it’s important to lay out how your current job has prepared you to take on new challenges and move forward in your career. What have you learned that will help you be effective in a different role or capacity?

Expert Tip:

Use numbers and figures in your cover letter for internal positions to quantify your achievements and show growth. While anecdotes can be impactful, numbers can paint a much clearer picture of your overall improvement for the person reading your application.

Align with the new responsibilities

Though writing about your current role and achievements is important, you must also ensure that the hiring manager understands your enthusiasm and readiness for the new role. Here are some tips for aligning your skills, experiences, and achievements with a given position.

Read the job description thoroughly

The first thing you should do is review the job description. It might be tempting to think you already have an in-depth understanding of the new role because you work for the company, especially if you currently work closely with that team or department.

However, the purpose of a cover letter for internal positions is to convince the hiring manager that you’re perfect for the role. This means your letter must match what they think is important in terms of skills and experiences.

With that in mind, make a note of the skills the hiring manager has deemed necessary for the position and focus on them when writing your cover letter.

Connect your background and current role

Once you know what skills to focus on, you’ll need to gather facts and stories that help you connect them to your background and current role. How have your training and experience helped you develop the necessary skills for the role? Have any of those skills produced tangible or quantifiable results? If so, describe those results.

"It’s important to write about how what you’ve done so far relates to the company’s overall mission or has helped it reach its goals."

Consider professional relationships and references

When it comes to writing a cover letter for an internal position, your professional relationships mean a lot.

The hiring manager likely has a lot of trust in the managerial and executive staff at your company. If any of these leaders endorse or can vouch for your skills, accomplishments, work ethic, or adherence to company culture, their opinions will doubtlessly hold weight with the HR staff.

Because hiring managers also want to hire candidates who are team players, you’ll want to make sure your co-workers can put in a good word for you about your collaboration skills.

While you can include these references or testimonials separately from your cover letter or resume , consider including them in your cover letter to back up your anecdotes. That way, you won’t be the only one speaking highly of your abilities.

Mention career goals and development

Many cover letter articles drive home the fact that hiring managers appreciate candidates who have taken the time to visualize their career aspirations.

Doing so shows that you fully understand the role, what it entails, and how it will help you reach your personal and professional goals. Because you’ve thought about these things in depth, the HR team knows you’re more likely to work hard and stay long-term.

For this reason, you should mention your career goals when polishing your internal cover letter templates . Tell the hiring manager how this role connects to your overall professional development plan. Then, help them see how your growth has and will continue to help the company move forward.

Closing statement

The closing statement of your internal cover letter should be just as impactful as the rest. Use the last paragraph to reiterate your enthusiasm for the new role you’d like to take on and frame that excitement as a way to assist the company in reaching its strategic goals.

It can also be helpful to affirm your long-term vision as an employee. Let the hiring manager know you want to grow within the company and are willing to take on new challenges to make sure that happens.

Write an internal cover letter that helps you gain an advantage

The key to writing an impressive internal cover letter is to focus on how the skills you’ve developed in your current role can help you do a great job in the new one.

Start your letter by reminding the hiring manager of your recent achievements. Then, align your skills and accomplishments with the job you’re applying for and explain how those things will help the company reach new heights.

Don’t be afraid to use a cover letter or resume template if you need help crafting your internal application.

With the help of a few cover letter examples , internal applications will be much more polished and compelling. Instead of worrying about writing the perfect letter, you can get it done faster, move forward with your professional development, and land a coveted new role within your organization.

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Cover Letters for a Promotion or Internal Position

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

• Sample Cover Letter for Promotion
• Email Job Promotion Letter

Applying for a Transfer

More about getting promoted.

When you're being considered for an internal position or a promotion, you may need to write a cover letter to officially apply for the new position within your company.

What should you write in a cover letter for a job at a company where you already work? What's the best way to frame your credentials to secure a promotion?

Here's everything you need to know about crafting the perfect cover letter for an internal role, along with sample letters and writing tips.

A job promotion cover letter should clearly explain your interest in the job and delineate  how you are qualified for the position . The letter should also recap your experience and knowledge of your employer’s current mission and needs, as well as the progressive growth you have enjoyed within the company.

Don't presume the hiring manager or department manager reviewing your qualifications will know your background just because you work for the company.

Sharing the specific details of your history with the organization will help ensure  your resume gets a closer look  and that your qualifications get noticed.

This is especially true when applying for a position at a large company. Also, be prepared to discuss these  qualifications during job interviews .

See below for a general cover letter for a job promotion, as well as an email cover letter written for a retail position.

Sample Cover Letter for a Promotion or Internal Position

This is a cover letter example for an internal position. Download the internal position cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or see below for more examples.

Lewis Applicant 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 lewis.applicant@email.com

June 4, 2024

Julia Lee Director, Communications ACME Retail 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Lee,

I would like to formally apply for the Assistant Communications Manager position in the Corporate Communications Department. As you are aware, I have had extensive experience with Acme Retail starting when I participated in your summer editorial intern program while I was still in college.

Since then I have been advanced through progressively more responsible positions in both the Human Resources and Marketing Departments. During my tenure, I have developed exceptional writing and editing skills and have designed and implemented highly successful communication strategies at the departmental level.

I have also demonstrated my ability to work with leaders across business units and multiple lines of business, consistently earning exemplary scores on my annual performance evaluations by my supervisors.

In addition, I have been responsible for benefits communications and employee relations, as well as liaising with the company's clients and vendors to ensure all projects are completed by established milestones.

These are just a few examples of my accomplishments and contributions to our company. I hope you will find that this brief view, in combination with the attached resume, describes a dedicated employee of Acme Retail with the experience and skills to meet or exceed the requirements of the position of Assistant Communications Manager.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to discussing this opportunity for promotion with you at your convenience. Please let me know if there is any other information I can provide that will support my candidacy for this promotion.

Best regards,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Lewis Applicant

Email Job Promotion Cover Letter

Here's an example of a letter or email message used to apply for a job promotion to a management position at a retail store:

Subject:  Application for Manager - Shoe Department

Dear Janice,

It was with great interest that I read that Human Resources is seeking applications for a new Manager in the Shoe Department. Please accept my resume for review and consideration for this role.

I have been with Casey's for a total of four years, two in my current position of Assistant Manager in the Children's Department, and two as a Sales Associate in the Junior Department. Before coming to Casy's, I worked for Mears as a Sales Associate in the Shoe Department as well as in the Men's Department.

With my experience in varied departments, I feel I would be an asset as a Manager here at Casy's. In my capacity as an Assistant Manager, I successfully took on many of the managerial duties in the Children's Department last year when Suzy Smith was out on maternity leave, and I would welcome the opportunity to bring that same stability, energy, and dedication to the Shoe Department within the vacancy created by Amy Jenner's sudden departure.

I appreciate your consideration for this position. It has been a real pleasure to come to work every day since you hired me, and I thus look forward to continuing to grow in my career at Casy's.

Caroline Xao Assistant Manager, Shoes caroline.xo@caseys.com 555-555-1212

If you're seeking a transfer instead of a promotion, here's a transfer request letter example , a letter to use when you're relocating , and tips for requesting a transfer to a new job with your current employer.

When you're working on getting a promotion, it may take some effort to get noticed by management. There are ways you can enhance your promotability and lay a strong groundwork for a successful move up the career ladder.

Take the time to ensure you're in a perfect position to make the best impression at work and to  get that promotion you're seeking .

Key Takeaways

Provide details. Remind your employer of your history with their company, contributions to their success, and dedication to their corporate mission and goals.

Be grateful. Express your appreciation for the opportunities the employer has given you to grow within your current job with them. This will also serve as a reminder to them that you have taken good advantage of the training and increased responsibilities they have offered you.

Enhance your promotability. From the moment you accept an entry-level position with an employer you respect, look for opportunities to gain the skills that will position you to assume promotions to roles of greater responsibility in the future.