My Account

You control your data

We and our partners use cookies to provide you with our services and, depending on your settings, gather analytics and marketing data. Find more information on our Cookie Policy. Tap "Settings” to set preferences. To accept all cookies, click “Accept”.

Settings Accept

Cookie settings

Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

Choose type of cookies to accept

Analytics

These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.

Performance and Personalization

These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.

Advertising

These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.

Necessary

These cookies are essential for the Site's performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.

To see a detailed list of cookies, click here.

Save preferences

Cover Letter for Internal Position or Promotion in 2024

Create your cover letter now

Our customers have been hired by:

Why change the company if you can stay in the one you're happy with? Especially if there's a chance to switch your current position or even get a promotion! But, whenever things like this are discussed in a chill-out zone in your office, casually joining such a conversation might not do the trick. 

There’s one thing that will help you boost your chances of getting the job you want in your company. Let’s learn how to create a perfect cover letter for an internal position!

This guide will show you:

  • A cover letter for an internal position example better than 9 out of 10 others.
  • Cover letter for internal promotion examples that let you plug in your core strengths.
  • Step-by-step work plan for how to write a cover letter for an internal position.

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.

Create your cover letter now

Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.

Targeting a senior-level job at your company? See specific cover letter examples below:

Want to explore your options even further? Visit our full selection of cover letter examples:Professional Cover Letter Examples to Apply for a Job in 2023

Let’s take a look at a perfect internal job application cover letter:

Cover Letter for an Internal Position Example

Graham Clarkson

Content Team Leader

623-474-8540

grahamclarkson@qrt.com

02/12/2023

Jane Matters

Hiring Manager

QuadRollin’ Techs

janematters@qrt.com

Dear Jane,

It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to fill a creative director position here at QuadRollin’ Techs. When I first got my job as Content Team Leader, I instantly knew this startup was a place for years to come. I’ve proven myself a skilled creator now ready to become QuadRollin’ Techs Creative Director.

I’ve read the job posting carefully and know the position requires more responsibilities. But I also know I face similar challenges in my day-to-day work. 

  • I’ve secured 5+ contracts with our top 3 clients.
  • I’ve used strong communication skills to narrow down the daily brainstorming sessions to 15 minutes, saving us over an hour of work. 
  • I was nominated for the Best Online Social Content Creator award at the ongoing 2022 AMVCA for my outstanding work on QuadRollin video ads.
  • Furthermore, I’ve used my management skills to assemble a team of highly-skilled content writers, video creators, graphic designers, and performance marketing specialists that boosted Instagram ad conversion by 25% in less than a year. 
  • And I’ve been doing all that while serving as the right-hand man for Kate Kinnear, our previous Creative Director.

The most compelling part of this position to me is that it’s the perfect fit. I’ve dreamed of working as a Creative Director at QuadRollin’ Techs for the past seven years, working hard and showing my proactive attitude every step of the way. Applying for this position is a dream come true. This position was my goal and the reason I joined the company in the first place. I strongly believe I can help our company create the next #1 mobile app in the mobile game category, prepare for the release of two sequels of our top games, and make our marketing shine all across social media platforms. Achieving goals, expressed in one of QuadRollin’ Techs mottos, Aim for the Moon, Shoot for the Stars, is what motivated me throughout the years. I am certain it will keep me motivated to deliver the best creations, assemble the best specialists, and bring the highest value as Creative Director in our company.

Sincerely,

Graham Clarkson

Content Team Leader

623-474-8540

grahamclarkson@gmail.com

P.S. Please find Kate’s letter of recommendation attached, where she expressed how I’ve contributed to cutting costs by 25% in the last year by repurposing designs and introducing new ways of task management within our team. Can we schedule a time to chat about how I can exceed your expectations, as I’ve exceeded hers?

Pro tip: Do you know what will help you impress the hiring manager even more? An amazing resume for an internal position!

Now, let’s learn how to write a cover letter for an internal position!

1. Choose the Ideal Template for Your Internal Cover Letter 

Did you know that 83% of hiring managers claim that a cover letter is important to the decision-making process? That means there is a great chance that a hiring manager who recruited you also thinks a candidate with a cover letter is trying harder than the one without it. So you need to ace it from A to Z. And A, in this case, is the format of your cover letter.

So before writing your cover letter for an internal position, let’s see how to structure it.

Cover Letter for Internal Position—Checklist

  • Your contact info.
  • The company’s info. 
  • Dear (hiring manager’s name). 
  • Paragraph #1: an introduction + a great job-fitting achievement
  • Paragraph #2: your key skills + the reason you’re the perfect fit for the job
  • Paragraph #3: your passion + why you want the job you’re applying for 
  • Paragraph #4: your call to action 
  • Best regards + your name + your current title
  • Postscript

That’s the basics. But you should also follow some guidelines to make your internal promotion cover letter as readable as possible:

Now you know the rules almost as well as your company’s address. So let’s start writing your cover letter!

Have you been working within the same company for years and in different positions? Learn how to list them on your resume: How to Show Multiple Positions on a Resume (At 1 Company)?

2. Begin Your Internal or Promotion Cover Letter With a Hook

Here's another useful cover letter tip: You want to grab the attention of your hiring manager from the top of your cover letter. That’s why you should focus on creating a capturing cover letter intro that will make them want to read the entire document! 

How can you make a great first impression on your hiring manager for the second time (since you’ve already made it once)?

Here’s how to start a cover letter for an internal position:

1. Create a professional internal cover letter header that will include:

    • Your name and exact job title in the top left corner
    • The necessary contact information, such as your phone number and email address
    • Add the city and date right below your personal information
    • Write the addressee’s details (name, title, company name, email address)

1. Start with a personal greeting. That’s a great way to engage with your reader from the very beginning. Including some information about your company and explaining what position you're interested in and why is a great way to start.

2. Express your excitement about the opening. Mentioning how you always dreamt about the position you’re applying to and how it was your goal from day one in the company might do some magic.

Let’s see some examples: 

Cover Letter for an Internal Position [First Paragraph]

Right

Graham Clarkson

Content Team Leader

2426 Elms Road

Columbus, OH 43004

623-474-8540

grahamclarkson@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/grahamclarkson

twitter.com/grahamclarkson

12/02/2023

Jane Matters

Hiring Manager

QuadRollin’ Techs

135 Lowell Street

Columbus, OH 43068

Dear Mrs. Matters,

It’s a long-term dream of mine to fill the open creative director position here at QuadRollin’ Techs. When I first got my job as a Content Team Leader here, I knew this company was a place where I wanted to stay for years to come, creating content and leading the content team of your start-up. Now I’d love to prove myself as a skilled creator who’s ready to become QuadRollin’ Techs Creative Director.

Wrong

Graham Clarkson

Content Team Leader

2426 Elms Road

Columbus, OH 43004

623-474-8540

grahamclarkson@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/grahamclarkson

twitter.com/grahamclarkson

12/02/2023

Jane Matters

Hiring Manager

QuadRollin’ Techs

135 Lowell Street

Columbus, OH 43068

Janey,

I’ve heard you’re hiring for the creative director position! Would you consider me for that role? 

You can see that the first example shows a candidate driven by ambition, focus on the goal, and passion. The second example might be too casual. 

Also, is that an integration party small talk or a professional cover letter written by someone who’s trying to get a better job within a company he’s currently working for? It sure looks like a second one, despite a properly edited header.

Pro tip: Don't call your hiring managers “To whom it may concern.” Even if you don’t know them personally, finding their name won’t take long!

3. Create an Ideal Middle for Your Cover Letter for an Internal Position

Internal hiring is 6x more effective than all other hiring sources. No wonder why your hiring manager might find your application more interesting than the one sent by an external candidate. However, you still need to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role and why they should trust you more. The best place to do it is in the cover letter's middle section.

How to write a great middle part for your internal promotion cover letter:

  • Highlight your relevant achievements. Focus on what you’ve done for the company and what were your biggest wins. 
  • Mention some of the relevant skills that you think will convince the hiring manager that you’re the person they’re looking for.
  • Focus on what’s quantifiable. That’s how you write about the precise change you made.
  • Make it personal. Ensure the recruiters that it’s been your goal all along, learning and developing new skills allowing you to become a suitable candidate for that opening.

Let’s have a look at some examples:

Cover Letter for a Promotion or Internal Position Examples [Middle]

Right Example

I’ve read the job posting carefully and know the position requires more responsibilities. But I also know I face similar challenges in my day-to-day work. 

  • I’ve secured 5+ contracts with our top 3 clients.
  • I’ve used strong communication skills to narrow down the daily brainstorming sessions to 15 minutes, saving us over an hour of work. 
  • I was nominated for the Best Online Social Content Creator award at the ongoing 2022 AMVCA for my outstanding work on QuadRollin video ads.
  • Furthermore, I’ve used my management skills to assemble a team of highly-skilled content writers, video creators, graphic designers, and performance marketing specialists that boosted Instagram ad conversion by 25% in less than a year. 
  • And I’ve been doing all that while serving as the right-hand man for Kate Kinnear, our previous Creative Director.
Wrong Example
I have been working in QuadRollin’ Techs for years, and I’ve gained a lot of relevant experience. I’ve been running brainstorms, hired a lot of great people, and managed them perfectly. Just ask Kate, she’ll tell you! 

The first example gives you specifics, shows the candidate is ready to take over that role, and tells about their work history within the company, which is great! And an ending with a reminder of having professional references from a former coworker is also a fantastic idea. 

The second one needs more information. What relevant experience, what people, what difference has it made? No exact information. And the “ask my superior” part is just plain lazy.

Okay, so you’ve got your “why me” part ready. Now let’s check out how to end with a bang that will convince the hiring manager to invite you for a 1:1 before any other external candidate!

Pro tip: Mentioning past promotions on your resume or cover letter is always great. It shows you know what gaining experience within one organization means!

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Choose a resume template and follow our step-by-step guidance to have a professional resume ready in minutes.

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our ATS resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

4. Conclude Your Cover Letter for an Internal Position Perfectly

Learning how to end a cover letter means leaving the recruiters with a great impression of yourself. If done correctly, your document will remain high on the pile on their desk. And who knows, they may visit you personally at your desk.

This is how you can end your cover letter for an internal position:

  • Express your excitement again. Remember that you want to show the recruiters you really care about the opening. 
  • Highlight your experience, skills, and passion. Those will help the company if you get different responsibilities. 
  • Show your commitment. That’s a great way of expressing loyalty to the company, which every recruiter highly values.
  • Try to schedule a meeting. A promise of how you can make a difference if given a chance can help you get invited for an interview.

Let’s look at the difference between a good and a bad cover letter for internal position endings:

Cover Letter for an Internal Position Examples [Ending]

Right Example

The most compelling part of this position to me is that it’s the perfect fit. I’ve dreamed of working as a Creative Director at QuadRollin’ Techs for the past seven years, working hard and showing my proactive attitude every step of the way. Applying for this position is a dream come true. This position was my goal and the reason I joined the company in the first place. I strongly believe I can help our company create the next #1 mobile app in the mobile game category, prepare for the release of two sequels of our top games, and make our marketing shine all across social media platforms. Achieving goals, expressed in one of QuadRollin’ Techs mottos, Aim for the Moon, Shoot for the Stars, is what motivated me throughout the years. I am certain it will keep me motivated to deliver the best creations, assemble the best specialists, and bring the highest value as Creative Director in our company.

Sincerely,

Graham Clarkson

Content Team Leader

623-474-8540

grahamclarkson@gmail.com

P.S. Please find Kate’s letter of recommendation attached, where she expressed how I’ve contributed to cutting costs by 25% in the last year by repurposing designs and introducing new ways of task management within our team. Can we schedule a time to chat about how I can exceed your expectations, as I’ve exceeded hers?

Wrong Example

Thank you for considering my application. Hope to talk to you soon!

Graham

PS If you have any questions, my desk is in room 101.

The candidate from the first example shows how passionate he is and how he wants the job. He expresses that it was his long goal that he was trying to achieve. And now he has a chance to prove himself. Who would miss an opportunity to talk to someone trying to achieve their goal?

Would you consider the second application, though? Would you like to talk to that candidate? Would you visit them at their desk? No, no, no!

Pro tip: Writing a follow-up email might be a good idea to remind the hiring manager about your application. But remember to do it after at least a week from your first email, and include a resume and a cover letter in the follow-up.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

And that’s it! Writing a cover letter for an internal position can be that simple! So just to sum things up really quickly, here are some things you need to remember:

  • Use the correct format for your cover letter for an internal position. Nothing says “a professional” more than a neat document.
  • Keep them interested from the start, and keep them reading! That’s how you convince them you’re a great fit.
  • Highlight your relevant skills and achievements. Tell them what you’ve done for the company and how you can do more.
  • Express your excitement. Showing that you’re looking forward to even discussing the opportunity of switching positions can help you get invited to discuss it.
  • Conclude with a call to action. Ask for a meeting during which you’d tell them how you can help the company even more.

And since you work in one company, try to talk to the hiring manager. Just ask them if they’ve received your email. That’s a good conversation starter, and it can immediately lead you to an interview!

Thanks for reading! Want to know more about writing a promotion great cover letter? Would you like to share your experience with writing an internal cover letter? Let’s talk about it in the comment section below!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Rate my article: cover letter for internal position example
Article Helpfulness: 4.85 (13 votes)
Thank you for voting
Maciej Tomaszewicz, CPRW
Maciej is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer and career expert and with a versatile professional background, creating tools for job seekers in various industries. His creative writing background and HR-related experience allow him to create highly readable articles clarifying even the most complicated professional development aspects. Since 2022, he has authored guides on professional resumes and cover letters, written articles on work-related scenarios, and developed research-based career advice.
Linkedin

Similar articles