Never knew how to persuade your company management that you’re the right person for the job position of your dream? Writing a cover letter for promotion is a must to change a career trajectory for the better.

In this article, you’ll find:

  • the meaning of a cover letter for internal position;
  • a guideline on writing a cover letter;
  • types and examples of cover letters.

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What Is an Internal Cover Letter?

An internal cover letter is a letter an employee writes to the HR department in the company they’re already working for. For instance, you’ve been waiting for a big promotion. Suddenly, you hear that a new job position opens in your current company. Whether it’s a lateral transfer or a huge career jump, writing a cover letter is a helpful strategy.

An average letter of intent for promotion will list your skills and professional accomplishments. It will follow the structure of a traditional cover letter with the only difference that the reader might already know you.

How to Springboard Your Career with Internal Cover Letters

A common letter of intent promotion tells the reader about your interest in the new role and the qualifications that make you the best candidate for the job. There is a high chance the reader already knows you as you’ve been a part of the company for years.

Sure, you’ll list your accomplishments and skills to remind the HR manager about your value. Nonetheless, adding someone’s opinion about your professional worth is a good idea. We advise you to ask your supervisor for a referral or recommendation letter.

Right Cover Letter for Internal Promotion Format

An internal cover letter is a unique document. Like a resume or job application, it has a special cover letter format. Follow the next rules to compose a perfect internal cover letter and make a statement about your skills and achievements.

  • Structure: 3-4 paragraphs;
  • Font: avoid fonts with embellishments like Brush Script M7;
  • Margins: 1-inch;
  • Spacing: keep it 1.15.

Cover Letter Length

Think of your internal promotion cover letter as a simplified narrative of your job history. Therefore, use the sections to the fullest.

After you mention parts like date and company details:

  1. Compose an introductory paragraph.
  2. Mention where you found the job post and remind the reader why you’ve joined the company in the first place.
  3. Proceed with your skills and accomplishments and restate your interest in the position in the concluding paragraph.

Also, remember the format rules like 12-point font and 1-inch margins.

Begin the Cover Letter With Vital Information

By saying ‘vital,’ we mean your personal details, date, and company details. Regardless of company positions and the current job, your letter of interest for internal position should follow the next example.

Name: Miley Rose

Phone Number: (073) 739-0044

Email: miley.rose@gmail.com

Date: 25.07.22

Mr. Green

26 Thackeray Place, Salt Lake City,

84108

(073) 739-5629

kevin.green@gmail.com

Adding your address to the details list is optional. Meanwhile, make sure to write the recruiter’s name so that your cover letter successfully lands at the right desk.

Present Your Experience in the Form of a Story

If you google ‘cover letter internal position,’ you’ll find that most of them tell the reader about your skills and your readiness to take on new responsibilities. How can one persuade the recruiter to give them the internal position? Focus on your experience, like in the example below.

“I have always loved books and art; yet, becoming a graphic designer and entering the publishing industry was the right career decision. I believe that 12 years of designing book covers for children’s literature and boosting the company’s sales make me the most qualified candidate for the job position.”

Things to Add When Writing a Cover Letter for an Internal Job

When writing a letter of interest internal position, you may emphasize your professional growth in the company. For instance, mention a recent job responsibility you’ve taken that showcased you as a competent and reliable employee. You might want to mention the new skills you’ve acquired while being a part of the company or the recent tool you’ve mastered.

What to Add When Writing a Cover Letter for an Internal Job Transfer

The perk of writing an internal job cover letter is that there is a high chance you already know the reader of your message. If you know that the company’s HR puts a great value on technical skills, emphasize them! Write down how much you’re passionate about the work and mention your professional development.

Story of Your Qualifications and Skills

After you list the objectives on why you want the job, compose the story of your skills and qualifications in the internal position cover letter. As a promising employee, write down your hard and soft skills. Did you attend company programs to acquire new skills and become a better specialist? Mention this data too!

Check the example below.

“As a graphic designer, I’ve mastered a few tools during the last year that allowed me to improve the technical quality of my projects. I’ve also attended the company courses on leadership and management.”

Include Specific Accomplishments in Your Current Position

Having great skills is a must. However, if you’ve worked for the company for years, the HR manager will need to assess your achievements in your promotions cover letter. Once you mention your skills and education, focus on your accomplishments.

Check the example below.

“As a data analyst, I have developed strategies that helped the company boost its annual revenue and attract more customers. At the end of the first year of my work here, the company’s sales doubled. At the end of the second year, the company boosted its sales by 78%.”

Express Gratitude for Considering Your Application

All promotion cover letters contain a closing paragraph. The last paragraph in your cover letter is a place to restate your interest in the job opening. By doing so, you leave the discussion on promotion open. Meanwhile, you also demonstrate your communication skills. Don’t forget to thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration.

Keep your closing paragraph concise. Typically, this section will include 1-2 sentences. In the end, add your signature like ‘Best wishes, Your Name’ or ‘Kind regards, Your Name.’

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Possible Types of Cover Letter for an Internal Position

Depending on your career goals, a cover letter for an internal position will follow the specific requirements.

  • Prospecting cover letter. It’s perfect for employees who want to emphasize their career plans in the cover letter. Think of it as a resume objective you send to the employer so that they can compare your goals and their proposal.
  • Email cover letter. Called also ‘situational cover letter,’ this is an opportunity to avoid most of the formalities like company details.
  • Referral cover letter. It’s an especially helpful type if you work for a large company and need someone to emphasize your background.

Cover Letter for Internal Position Example

If you google ‘cover letter examples internal position,’ you’ll find that most of them follow a common cover letter structure.

Check the example of letter of interest for internal job below.

“Dear Hiring Manager!

I’ve heard from my supervisor that a new vacancy for an advertising manager was open to apply for. I express my willingness to consider the job of an advertising manager since I’ve been a part of the advertising team for 7 years and showcased my managing skills in the last project.

I believe that my degree in Business Management combined with teamwork and self-organization make me a perfect candidate.

Thank you for your time!
Kind regards, Ben Miller”

Email Promotion Cover Letter Example

Check a short letter of intent for a job within the same company below.

“Dear HR Manager!

After I heard about the new vacancy opening in the Publishing Department, I decided to become a candidate for the job.

I’ve been working as an Editor’s Assistant for 6 years. I’ve learned the business from the inside and attended courses on graphic design. Combine my skills with incredible teamwork, and you get the perfect applicant for the role.

Thank you for your consideration!

Best wishes, Tom Hadie”

Additional Tips for a Cover Letter for Internal Position

As we’ve already mentioned, adding the company address is optional. However, a promotion cover letter must be perfect when it comes to addressing people (pun intended). Take responsibility for your ethics and consider multiple opportunities. For instance, if you don’t know HR’s name, better use ‘Dear HR Manager!’ or ‘Dear HR Department!’

The advantage of writing ‘Dear HR Manager!’ is that you show your communication skills and ethics instead of omitting the whole greeting process.

Cover Letter Template for Internal Position

Check a template for an internal covering letter example below.

  • Personal Details. Write down your name, phone number, and email here.
  • Date and Company Details. Add the company’s address and the personal details of the hiring manager.
  • Body. A common statement of 3-4 paragraphs, this section contains your skills and recent achievements. Add your education and experience in other companies if necessary.
  • Closing Paragraph. Your communication skills are an important part of the hiring process. Restate your interest and express gratitude in this part of the cover letter.

Internal Position Cover Letter and Resume FAQ

What are the typical sections in a traditional cover letter?

Make sure your letter of intent for a promotion contains the following sections: Contact Information, Date, Company Details, Greeting, Body, and Closing Paragraph.

How to persuade the recruiter that I am a perfect candidate for the job?

Focus on your skills and achievements to maximize your employment chances, and if possible, add a referral from your supervisor or colleagues.

Is writing an internal application cover letter a must?

No, it’s not. However, by composing an internal cover letter, you increase your chances to transfer from one job position to another fast and smoothly.

Cover Letter for Internal Positions: Final Thoughts

Congrats! Now you know how to write a job-winning cover letter! Let’s sum up the main concepts in the list below.

  • All cover letter examples for internal position follow a perfect structure.
  • Demonstrate your communication skills by adding a Greeting and Closing Paragraph.
  • Make sure your internal cover letter example follows the basic format principles.

We hope you found an answer to all your cover letter writing questions. To increase your chances of getting hired, contact our best online resume writing services. Our writers will gladly help you land an interview for your dream job. Good luck!

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