Cover Letter for an Internal Position: Example & Tips
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Creating a sample cover letter for an internal position is a great idea. You can change roles within the company you know well. But since you know it so well, why would you need an internal cover letter?
Hiring managers can sometimes overlook internal candidates. You might expect them to know you, but they can be unaware of your every win to get you transferred or promoted.
Learn how to wow your hiring manager with a great internal position cover letter, and go get that job!
This guide will show you a cover letter template for internal positions, plus tips for how to write your own great internal position cover letter.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Every great internal cover letter needs a resume. See our internal resume writing guide here: How to Make an Effective Resume for Any Job.
Are you at a particular stage in your career and need to find specific cover letters for this? Check out some of our guides:
Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career: Best Cover Letter Examples for All Professions
Sample Cover Letter for Internal Position
Susan Morris
Customer Service Specialist
XYZ Foods
1098 Hickory Heights Drive
Chattanooga, TN 12603
615-221-6217
susan.q.morris@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/susanqmorris
4/21/19
Audi Danz
Marketing Manager
XYZ Foods
1098 Hickory Heights Drive
Chattanooga, TN 12603
Dear Ms Danz,
It would realize a long-term dream of mine to fill the open digital marketing specialist position here at XYZ Foods. When I first got my job in customer service here, it was because your team member Arnold Dickey advised me to take any job at the company, exceed expectations, build marketing skills, then apply for a transfer to marketing. After just two months I was promoted to senior customer service agent for quick thinking and a strong work ethic. (I saved the company $2,000 a month with one suggestion.)
I read the job posting carefully and spoke with several of your team members. I know the position calls for product knowledge, written and verbal communication, and a strong sense of who our customers are. I believe I’m the perfect fit. I’ve passed quarterly product knowledge quizzes with the highest scores in my department. I’ve used strong communication skills to achieve 95% positive customer survey scores and write up daily error-free reports. My department record of 75+ calls handled per day gives me an excellent understanding of our target demographic.
The most compelling part of this position to me is that it’s the perfect fit. I’ve dreamed of working as a digital marketing specialist at XYZ for the past seven years, taking fifteen online classes from Wharton and doing 20 freelance projects on nights and weekends.
My supervisor here at XYZ customer service is happy to let me meet with you any weekday. Can we set up a time to chat about how I can exceed your expectations as I’ve exceeded hers?
Sincerely,
Susan Morris
615-221-6217
susan.q.morris@gmail.com
That’s an upwardly-mobile cover letter for internal positions. Now here’s how to write yours.
Cover Letter for Internal Position Template
Here’s how to write an internal cover letter that makes the switch:
1. Use the right cover letter for internal position format
- 1” margins
- 1–1.15 line-spacing
- Cambria or Arial font
- 11pt–12pt font size
Read more: The Only Proper Cover Letter Format
2. Start with a professional cover letter header
In your cover letter for internal position header, list:
- Your name (top left)
- Address
- Phone & email
- LinkedIn profile or other social media handles
- The date
- Hiring manager’s name & info
Read more: How to Address a Cover Letter
3. Start with a hook
- Use “Dear,” with the manager name.
- Avoid To Whom It May Concern and Dear Hiring Manager as your cover letter salutation.
- Be very clear about the job opening you’re applying for.
- Share a detail that shows you’re destined for the job.
Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter the Right Way
5. Show you’re the one to hire
This part is crucial because too many companies hire from outside.
- Learn the job’s needs. You’ve got an edge because you’re already inside.
- Talk to people in the department. Find out what skills they really want.
- Show you used those things to excel in your current job.
- Add metrics like “$2,000 a month” to get attention.
- Have you got an ally in the department? Name drop.
What’s the perfect length for a cover letter for internal positions? The Perfect Cover Letter Length.
6. Make an offer
At the end of your internal cover letter:
- Make an offer to meet (or call).
- Grab their interest. How? Promise something, like exceeding expectations.
Read more: The Best Cover Letter Ending Examples
7. End with a professional signature
- Put “Sincerely,” and your full name at the end.
- Include a digitized copy of your signature.
- End with email + phone.
Don’t let your internal cover letter fall through the cracks. Job Application Follow-Up: Examples, Dos, & Don’ts
A good cover letter for internal jobs can beam you up. But to land the job you also need a resume.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume template here.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.
Thanks for reading! Now it’s your turn. What frustrates you most about writing an internal position cover letter? Why are you applying inside the company? We’d love to hear from you!
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