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How to Show a Promotion on a Resume

Recruiters and hiring managers want to see growth on your resume. Emphasizing your promotions are a great way to do this - here's how to do that, with samples from real resumes.

4 years ago   •   6 min read

Fantastic news: You got a promotion! Moving up internally doesn’t just mean more money and responsibility, it also looks great on a job application. That is, if you can figure out how to format your resume to properly show off your career progression.

Why Formatting Matters

When hiring managers read your resume, they’re looking for more than just an overview of your experience. Specifically, they’re looking for evidence that you’ll be a good fit for the position they’re filling. What this means will obviously vary depending on the company and role, but one thing all hiring managers want to see is growth.

So, what exactly are recruiters looking for?

1. Career progression

Experience is one thing, but if you’ve stayed in the same role for the past 10 years without moving up, most hiring managers are going to want to know why. No career growth = a major red flag. Being promoted or taking on different roles at the same company shows that you’re capable of professional development.

2. Stability

On the other end of the scale, recruiters also don’t want to see that you’ve held half a dozen jobs in as many years. If you’ve held a series of different roles, it’s easy to come off looking like a job hopper, which you don’t want. Presenting these as a series of advancements rather than as completely separate roles is key to showing your experience in the best light.

3. Increased capabilities

Being able to list a promotion on your resume isn’t just about a linear escalation of job titles. Recruiters also want to see signs that you’ve picked up new skills along the way. Think about how you can list your responsibilities and achievements in a way that demonstrates real progression.

Now that you know what recruiters are looking for, here are some examples of what we mean.

Examples of how to demonstrate a promotion on your resume

You can opt to demonstrate growth through your job titles, bullet points, or both. Most of the time, the best way to display a promotion or multiple roles on your resume is going to depend on how similar the positions were.

If the roles were different

If you’ve been promoted or moved into a significantly different role, it’s okay to list these as separate entries on your resume . You’re essentially treating these as different jobs but using a shared company heading to make it clear that this was an internal progression rather than a series of isolated jobs.

COMPANY NAME , location Job title #2 , dates - Bullet points should be in the format [action verb] + [what you did] + [result] Job title #1 , dates - Bullet points should be in the format [action verb] + [what you did] + [result]

If you prefer, you can list these roles completely separately, with the company name included twice (like in the image below). This is riskier since it can look to a recruiter like two different jobs if they’re only quickly scanning your resume. Why consider it?

Some applicant tracking systems may find it easier to read, so it’s a trade-off. It’s also a good way to show career progression if you held two different roles at the same company with a gap in between (for example, because of a layoff, furlough, or other employment).

COMPANY NAME , location Job title #2 , dates - Bullet points should be in the format [action verb] + [what you did] + [result] COMPANY NAME , location Job title #1 , dates - Bullet points should be in the format [action verb] + [what you did] + [result]

A third option is to selectively group different roles together. This is similar to the first option, but ideal if you’re trying to highlight specific experience or particularly noteworthy accomplishments. Here's an example:

COMPANY NAME , location Job title #3 , dates Job title #2 , dates Job title #1 , dates - Bullet points should be in the format [action verb] + [what you did] + [result] Selected project experience - Use these bullet points to highlight specific noteworthy accomplishments

If the roles were similar

This one is much easier. If you performed similar tasks in both roles, you can group the bullet points together. List the company first, followed by each role and its accompanying dates on a separate line. The bullet points underneath can include accomplishments for both roles.

COMPANY NAME , location Job title #2 , dates Job title #1 , dates - Include bullet points from both roles, focusing on career progression

Using bullet points to show your promotion

A different — but equally valid — approach is to show job progression through your bullet points instead of in your job titles. This has the downside of being less obvious to a casual observer, but it also has a few significant advantages. If you were promoted quickly, it allows you to highlight an accelerated timeline or any other exceptional accomplishments which led to the promotion. And if your job title hasn’t changed but your responsibilities have, this is a great way to point out your professional growth without having a new role to show for it.

Some bullet point examples:

• Promoted to Associate Consultant in 2 years (1 year in advance); the only member in a cohort of 45 Analysts to be fast-tracked
• Promoted within 12 months due to strong performance and organizational impact - ahead of schedule by 12 months
• Ranked top of the class and offered an early promotion to Senior Analyst after two years

These examples all demonstrate that you went above and beyond in performing the duties of your role and emphasize your promotion as being particularly impressive, rather than simply routine.

In other situations

If you’re an experienced hire, you may want to show off a previous promotion without dedicating too much valuable real estate to an older role. This is still doable — simply list each role on a separate line under a single company heading and omit the bullet points.

PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE COMPANY NAME , location Job title #3 , dates Job title #2 , dates Job title #1 , dates

Find out if your resume shows career progression

A good way to check if your resume shows career progression is to upload your resume to the tool below — it’ll scan it and let you know if your resume shows growth, relevant accomplishments and skills.

Resume formatting tips

Now that you’ve got your promotion sorted, don’t forget our general resume formatting tips:

Always format your resume in reverse chronological order

On your resume, you should always list your most recent experience first. A functional resume that highlights your skills rather than experience may seem tempting, especially if you don’t have much relevant experience, but a straightforward chronological resume is best.

Always include dates of employment

This one seems obvious, but you’d be amazing how many people leave the dates off their resumes. At a minimum, your resume needs to list the years you were employed. Many hiring managers prefer to see months listed as well, especially if you were in a particular role for less than a few years. Exact dates normally aren’t required outside of specific application forms.

You can demonstrate growth even without a promotion

If you’ve held the same role at your company for a long time, it’s important that your bullet point accomplishments still show a sense of progression, whether that’s through learning new skills, taking on additional responsibilities, or unofficially taking on aspects of a new role. If you’ve been moved around to different roles that weren’t technically promotions — for example, due to company restructuring — you can still frame it as a promotion. This doesn’t mean you need to lie; instead, consider the aspects of your new role that were different or more challenging, and highlight those features.

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How To Put Promotions on a Resume (With Examples)

Congrats on securing your promotion! Being promoted is no small feat. As you know, becoming recognized for your contributions takes continuous commitment. From ongoing professional development , mentoring, self-advocacy, and positioning yourself as “promotion-worthy,” you should be proud of smashing your career goals. 

Like many professionals, you may be considering “what’s next” on your career ladder. A part of exploring that is updating your resume to showcase your growth , progress, and key achievements at your company. 

But how exactly do you list promotions on your resume? In this article, we will walk you through the process and considerations for how to display promotions on a resume. 

Whether you’re applying for an internal promotion or hoping to secure a leadership role, you’ll walk away understanding:

• How to list promotions on a resume
• How to correctly format your promotion on a resume – using separate listings or combined
• Whether you should mention the promotion in a separate section
• How to articulate the difference between the roles (we’ll show you with some resume examples)

But, before getting started, we need to discuss one of the most common questions that is asked when it comes to listing promotions on resumes. 

Should I List My Promotion on My Resume?

Absolutely! Your current and future employers want to see your growth and impact within a single company. Job promotions are a great way to show that you’ve become an expert, gone above and beyond, and mastered your role.

Employers want professionals who will come in, take ownership of their role and job responsibilities, learn quickly, and thrive. Promotions are an indicator that you have those traits and abilities. 

For those of you who have been with your current employer for an extended period, it has probably been a while since you’ve updated your resume (or even created one). If this is the case, we’ve got you covered! You can use our AI-powered resume builder to update your existing resume or start from scratch. It can even provide personalized suggestions based on your relevant experience.

When it comes to looking for a new role, try shedding the belief that showcasing your accomplishments is “showing off” or being “too confident.” Remember, no one will know how incredible you are if you don’t tell them ! Your resume is the place to do this. 

Let’s go ahead and get into the details of how to list promotions on your resume. 

Expert Advice on Adding Promotions to Your Resume

💡 our expert’s advice.

As a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW), I’ve spent years experimenting with what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to listing promotions. I’ve met with recruiters and hiring managers to learn their preferences as well. Based on my conversations and jobseeker’s outcomes, I can confidently tell you that the best and easiest way to list promotions on a resume is by showcasing the different positions you’ve held (with exceptions) within the company. 

Your goal is to showcase your achievements, career advancement, and impact. It can be challenging to stuff it all into one role. Listing promotions as separate roles will allow you to highlight your biggest accomplishments under each title you’ve held. 

For the sake of ease, let’s use a Marketing Professional as an example. 

Separate listings for each role – example

Having separate entries is beneficial if you’ve held multiple roles within the same company, as it is a clean and easy-to-read format for showing your job progression. This method is also effective in showing how your day-to-day duties have significantly changed on your upward trajectory. 

Company Name , City, State Senior Marketing Manager  (Month/Year – Present)

Led the development and implementation of marketing strategies for product launches while overseeing a team of 10 marketing professionals. Conducted market analysis to identify new business opportunities.

• Increased sales 40% through targeted marketing campaigns.
• Boosted customer engagement by 30% via social media initiatives.
• Improved team productivity by 15% through process optimization.

Marketing Manager  (Month/Year – Month/Year)

Coordinated marketing campaigns across various channels, including digital and print. Managed relationships with key stakeholders to ensure marketing alignment. Developed content for promotional materials and advertisements.

• Enhanced brand awareness by 25% through innovative campaigns.
• Achieved a 10% increase in lead generation year-over-year.
• Reduced marketing costs by 12% through vendor negotiations.

Assistant Marketing Manager  (Month/Year – Month/Year)

Supported the marketing team in the execution of campaigns. Conducted market research to identify potential trends and opportunities. Partnered with graphics team in the creation of marketing materials and presentations.

• Contributed to a 15% increase in customer retention through targeted campaigns.
• Streamlined research processes, reducing time spent by 20%.
• Played a key role in a campaign that generated 500 new leads.

This is the best way to format a promotion resume. Keep in mind if your goal is to secure a leadership role within or outside of your company, you want to make sure to use the right keywords throughout your resume. Check out our article on Leadership Skills for Your Resume . 

When Can You Combine Promotions Under One Role?

In special cases, it may be challenging to show multiple roles from your career history . For example, if you’ve been promoted more than five times and you have additional relevant work experience outside of your company, you may consider combining promotions under one role . This will help you avoid a 3-to-4-page resume . 

In addition, if your job duties and achievements across your promotions were similar, you might choose to combine them under a single listing. This approach to showing your career trajectory is also streamlined and avoids redundancy . 

Combining promotions under one role – example

Again, we’ll take the role of a Marketing Manager to demonstrate this type of resume format .

Company Name, City, State Marketing Manager  (Month/Year – Present)

Promoted from Assistant Marketing Manager to Senior Marketing Manager within three years due to exemplary performance and commitment to driving excellence. Led a team of 10 professionals in developing and executing marketing strategies. Coordinated with sales and product teams to ensure marketing alignment. Conducted market research and analysis to guide marketing efforts.

• Increased sales by 40% through effective marketing strategies.

This option provides you with the opportunity to save space and quickly showcase your promotion to a senior position to hiring managers and recruiters. If this ends up being your chosen format, make sure to choose the impressive achievements that will position you for the industry and position you want. 

How To Highlight Promotions Within the Same Role 

What is a promotion within the same role? Sometimes, these are referred to as “lateral promotions” or “in-role advancements.”

They don’t often come with an increase in responsibilities without the formal title change . Even without the title, they still reflect significant professional growth . In case you’re wondering, “Yes! These are definitely worth listing on your resume.”

Why? Even if your job title didn’t change, an internal promotion indicates that your employer recognized your increasing value and contribution to the organization. Highlighting these advancements on your resume shows potential employers that you have a track record of growth and that you consistently took on more responsibilities, showcasing your ability to adapt, learn, and excel.

Promotions within the same role – example

Let’s see how this lateral promotion or in-role advancement can be clearly demonstrated on your resume.

Initially hired as an Assistant Marketing Manager and promoted to Senior Marketing Manager. Expanded responsibilities to include overseeing product launches and leading a larger team. Developed and implemented comprehensive marketing strategies. Conducted market analysis and monitored industry trends.

• Successfully increased sales by 40%.
• Led a team that boosted customer engagement by 30%.

As you are writing your resume and listing promotions, remember that your goal is always to show continuous growth. Make it easy for the reader to follow your career journey.

As you review your description and achievements in your work experience section, make sure that you clearly explain what additional responsibilities you took on and how your role expanded compared to your previous position. This can include information on the following:

• The increase of employees you manage .
• A bigger budget.
• Overseeing more programs.
• Collaborating with more leaders and stakeholders.
• How your expertise has expanded (did you gain any new certifications or software competencies?)

Where Else Can I List Promotions on My Resume?

💡 our expert says.

Another question I often hear is, “Can I mention my promotion in other sections?” The answer is, of course you can! As mentioned earlier, being promoted is a big deal, and you should share it as often as you can. 

While the work experience section is the primary place to detail your career progression and promotions, incorporating mentions of your promotions in other sections of your resume can quickly grab the Hiring Manager’s attention and reinforce your best qualities! Below are two sections in which you can list your promotion: 

Promotions in your resume summary

The summary section is your first impression. Think of it as your elevator pitch that sets the tone for the rest of your resume. You want to immediately hook the reader by showcasing how your impact and influence have been recognized and rewarded throughout your career. 

Innovative and data-driven Marketing Professional with 8+ years experience in increasing sales, brand awareness, and customer engagement. Promoted from Assistant Marketing Manager to Senior Marketing Manager within three years, driving a 20% increase in sales through innovative strategies and effective team leadership.

This summary statement showcases your value, impact, results, and leadership abilities. All of these are qualities that a Hiring Manager looks for. 

Achievement section

Another potential area to list your promotion is your achievement section. If you don’t mention your promotion in your summary, we recommend following up your summary with your top 3 career achievements . Check out the sample below:

Innovative and data-driven Marketing Professional with 8+ years experience in increasing sales, brand awareness, and customer engagement. Committed to driving excellence through fostering creative, collaborative, and forward-thinking team cultures. 

Top Career Highlights: 

• Promoted from Assistant Marketing Manager to Senior Marketing Manager within three years, driving a 20% increase in sales through innovative strategies and effective team leadership.

Do you see how this section allows you to show off your career growth, share your professional journey, and position yourself as the best person for the job? This is exactly what a compelling resume consists of . With this competitive job market, it’s crucial that you utilize all the best practices when it comes to writing your resume . 

Hopefully, you’re feeling confident about how to list promotions on your resume! Now, it’s time to move on to formatting. After all, your achievements need to be easy to read , look great, and articulate your value. Here are a few formatting tips to boost your chances of landing your next promotion!

Formatting and Wording Tips for Showcasing Your Promotions

Showcasing promotions on your resume involves more than just listing job titles and dates. It’s about clearly communicating your career progression and the value you added in each role. Here are the top five resume format and wording tips to help you present your promotions in the best light.

1. Use clear and consistent formatting

Consistency in formatting ensures that your resume is easy to read and professional. This means that you use the same structure for dates, job titles, the name of the company, job description, and location across all sections of your resume. Whether you have different roles or a new position, you need to maintain consistency. 

2. Highlight achievements with bullet points

You want your achievements to stand out and be noticeable. Bulleted lists are an effective way to highlight your key achievements , new skills gained, and responsibilities in each role. This format makes your resume easy to scan and emphasizes the most important information for the reader for both your current position and previous roles.

3. Use strong action verbs

Be mindful of the words you use. Using strong action verbs helps to convey your accomplishments and levels of responsibility from distinct roles with more impact. Action verbs like “led,” “developed,” “implemented,” and “oversaw” demonstrate initiative and leadership. 

4. Quantify your achievements

Show off your impressive accomplishments. Quantifying your achievements with specific metrics provides concrete evidence of your contributions and impact on meeting or surpassing your KPIs . Use numbers, percentages, and other metrics whenever you can to highlight the scope and success of your work.

5. Detail evolving responsibilities and promotions

Clearly detail the evolution of your responsibilities and the context of your promotions. Highlight the new tasks and projects you took on with each set up the career ladder, emphasizing how your role expanded throughout your job promotions.

Now it’s your turn. You’ve learned the ins and outs of how to list promotions on your own resume. From understanding how to list separate roles, combine promotions, and create the best format, you’re all set to show career growth on your resume. 

Don’t forget that you can also list your promotions on LinkedIn ! Check out the rest of our blog for more advice on resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, interview advice, and career growth tips.

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How to List Promotions on a Resume

• Nov 21, 2024

Showcasing promotions on your resume effectively is a powerful way to demonstrate your growth, dedication, and value within a company .

Whether you've been promoted to a new position, received additional responsibilities, or moved up the ranks, properly displaying this career growth can help set you apart from other candidates.

In this article, we'll cover how to show promotions on a resume , the best ways to format and emphasize your career progression, along with tips on how to position yourself for future opportunities.

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Why show promotion on a resume?

Including a promotion on a resume highlights your career growth, accomplishments, and the trust your employer placed in you.

Here are some key reasons to showcase promotions:

• Demonstrates achievement . Promotions indicate that you exceeded expectations in your previous role and were rewarded for it, showing hiring managers that you're driven and successful.
• Shows progression . Displaying promotions outlines a clear career trajectory, reflecting how you've developed skills and taken on more responsibilities over time.
• Builds credibility . Promotions can validate your work ethic and capabilities, reassuring potential employers that you were valuable to your previous company.
• Illustrates loyalty . Staying with one employer long enough to be promoted shows loyalty, dedication, and the ability to grow within an organization.
• Adds impact to your experience . By showcasing promotions on your resume, you're emphasizing that you've not only done the work but did it well enough to be entrusted with more complex tasks or leadership.

How to put a promotion on a resume?

How you present promotions on a resume depends on its format ( chronological, functional, or combination ) and your personal approach.

• Chronological . Best suited for candidates with a clear career progression. Promotions are listed alongside job titles and companies, showing growth over time.
• Functional . Focuses on accomplishments rather than a timeline. Promotions are mentioned as part of achievements related to key skills, rather than being emphasized in a job chronology.
• Combination . This format blends elements of both chronological and functional resumes. You may feature a strong abilitiessection followed by work experience where promotions are highlighted. This is ideal if you want to emphasize both skills and career progression.

Let’s break down the sections where promotions can be featured.

Resume summary

In the summary section , you provide a brief overview of your professional background and highlight your promotions as evidence of career progression. This part works well in both chronological and functional resumes as it gives a quick snapshot of your advancement.

Example: "Results-driven marketing professional with 7+ years of experience. Promoted twice within three years from Marketing Coordinator to Senior Marketing Manager due to demonstrated leadership, strategic vision, and exceptional results."

This example summarizes the candidate’s promotion journey, focusing on achievements.

Work experience

In a chronological resume , your work experience is listed in reverse order , starting with your most recent position. Promotions are displayed within the context of each job, with clear dates showing the progression.

While the skills section is generally used for highlighting your abilities, you can also briefly mention promotions as evidence of those skills.

Leadership . Promoted to Senior Marketing Manager at Adobe after demonstrating superior leadership and team-building capabilities. Led cross-functional teams to launch multiple successful campaigns that increased market share by 15%.

In a functional or combination resume , where skills are the focus, this approach adds credibility to the abilities listed.

Accomplishments

If you have a separate accomplishments section, you can mention your promotions here, especially if they resulted from specific achievements.

Example: Promoted twice in two years at LinkedIn due to exceeding sales targets by 25%. Awarded "Manager of the Year" at Uber after moving into a leadership role and increasing team efficiency by 20%.

Your approach to showcasing promotions depends on the resume format and the emphasis you want to place on career growth or skills.

In a chronological resume , the focus is on steady progression, whereas, in a functional format , it’s more about the skills you developed along the way. A combination resume can highlight both aspects effectively.

Formatting when showing a promotion on a resume

There are two common ways to show a promotion on your resume.

Option 1: Listing different titles under the same company

If you’ve been promoted within the same organizations, you can show your progression by writing each title separately but keeping them grouped under the company name.

Example: Microsoft | Seattle, WA Senior Software Engineer | April 2022 – Present Lead a team of 12 engineers, driving the development of cloud-based applications. Spearheaded the release of a new Azure product feature, resulting in a 25% increase in enterprise usage. Software Engineer II | May 2020 – March 2022 Contributed to the design and implementation of core components for Azure, increasing system efficiency by 15%. Acted as a mentor for junior developers and helped onboard new team members. Software Engineer I | June 2018 – April 2020 Worked on key components of Office 365, improving performance and reducing downtime. Recognized for solving critical issues in a high-pressure environment.

This method clearly shows the trajectory of the person’s career within the same company.

Option 2: Listing only the highest position

Another option is to use only the highest position you achieved within a company, but mention the previous roles in the description.

Microsoft | Senior Software Engineer | June 2018 – Present

• Promoted twice from Software Engineer to senior role after delivering key projects that enhanced system reliability and improved user experience by 20%.
• Lead a team of 12 engineers working on cloud infrastructure and performance optimization.

This method highlights the final title while still indicating career progression in the description.

Additional tips:

• Keep consistency . Use the same format for all your roles to ensure clarity and professionalism.
• Highlight achievements . Under each role, focus on your achievements rather than just listing responsibilities.
• Use bullet points . Keep information concise and easy to read.

Examples of how to show promotions on a resume

Chronological resume ( marketing ).

Name: Sarah Johnson Location: Chicago, IL Phone: (312) 555-1234 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnsonmarketing Summary: Dynamic marketing professional with over 8 years of experience in digital marketing and brand strategy. Proven track record in developing successful marketing campaigns that significantly increase online traffic and conversions. Professional Experience Marketing Manager Sprout Social, Inc. – Chicago, IL August 2020 – Present Promoted from Senior Marketing Specialist to Manager within 18 months. Developed and executed digital marketing strategies that increased online traffic by 30% and conversions by 15%. Managed a team of 6, ensuring alignment of marketing strategies with client goals. Oversaw a $1 million annual marketing budget and allocated resources effectively to maximize ROI. Senior Marketing Specialist Sprout Social, Inc. – Chicago, IL January 2019 – August 2020 Executed email marketing campaigns and analyzed key performance metrics, improving open rates by 25%. Coordinated social media campaigns across multiple platforms, resulting in a 20% follower increase. Assisted in brand strategy development for 10+ new client accounts. Marketing Coordinator Jellyvision Lab, Inc. – Chicago, IL June 2016 – December 2018 Supported the marketing team in project execution, including event planning and market research. Collaborated with designers and content creators to deliver digital content for 5 client accounts. Managed client communication and ensured timely delivery of campaigns. Education Bachelor of Arts in Marketing University of Illinois at Chicago . Chicago, IL Graduated: May 2016 Skills Digital Marketing SEO and SEM Content Creation and Management Data Analysis and Reporting Team Leadership Certifications Google Analytics Certified. Google – Issued: April 2021 HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification. HubSpot Academy – Issued: June 2020

Functional Resume ( IT/Software Development )

Name: David Lee Location: Austin, TX Phone: (512) 555-4567 Email: [email protected] GitHub: github.com/davidlee Summary: Results-oriented software developer with over 9 years of experience in full-stack development and project management. Expert in multiple programming languages, including Java and Python, with a strong focus on building scalable web applications. Skills Summary Software Development: Proficient in Java, Python, C#, and SQL. Experience with full-stack development, web applications, and cloud computing. Project Management: Managed development life cycles of projects, from design to implementation, with Agile and Scrum methodologies. Database Management: Hands-on experience in design, optimization, and maintenance. Team Leadership: Led teams of developers, mentoring junior staff, and coordinating cross-functional collaboration. Professional Experience Lead Software Developer Indeed, Inc. – Austin, TX 2021 – Present Promoted to Lead Developer after consistently exceeding performance metrics and demonstrating strong leadership. Lead a team of 10 developers working on full-stack web applications for clients in healthcare and finance sectors. Architected cloud-based solutions, reducing server costs by 20% while improving performance. Senior Software Developer Indeed, Inc. – Austin, TX 2018 – 2021 Designed and implemented RESTful APIs, optimizing functionality for client-facing applications. Streamlined software processes, decreasing development time by 15%. Led code reviews and mentoring sessions for junior developers. Software Developer BigCommerce – Austin, TX 2015 – 2018 Developed and maintained scalable web applications for small businesses. Collaborated closely with UX/UI designers to create intuitive, user-friendly interfaces. Integrated third-party APIs to enhance application functionality. Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science University of Texas at Austin – TX Graduated: May 2015 Technical Skills Java, Python, C# SQL, NoSQL (MongoDB) HTML, CSS, JavaScript Cloud Services (AWS, Azure) Git and Version Control Certifications AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services – Issued: August 2022 Scrum Master Certification (CSM), Scrum Alliance – Issued: November 2020

Combination Resume ( Healthcare )

Name: Emily Williams, RN Location: Boston, MA Phone: (617) 555-7890 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emilywilliamsRN Summary of Qualifications Registered Nurse with 8+ years of experience in patient care, nursing management, and clinical operations. Expertise in emergency care, patient advocacy, and nursing leadership. Proven record of successful management in high-pressure environments and dedication to patient well-being. Professional Experience Nurse Manager – Emergency Department Brigham and Women's Hospital – Boston, MA January 2022 – Present Promoted to Nurse Manager from Senior RN due to exceptional performance in patient care and leadership. Lead a team of 20+ nurses in a high-volume emergency department, ensuring quality patient care and adherence to safety protocols. Implemented new patient flow strategies, reducing wait times by 20%. Senior Registered Nurse – Emergency Department Brigham and Women's Hospital – Boston, MA 2018 – 2022 Provided direct care to patients in critical condition, assessing, planning, and administering treatments. Trained and mentored new nurses and supported the department’s transition to electronic health record systems. Awarded “Nurse of the Year” for exceptional patient care in 2020. Registered Nurse Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Boston, MA 2014 – 2018 Delivered comprehensive nursing care in a fast-paced emergency department. Worked collaboratively with doctors and specialists to diagnose and treat a wide variety of acute conditions. Recognized for patient advocacy and thorough documentation in the healthcare setting. Education Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Boston College – Chestnut Hill, MA Graduated: May 2014 Skills Patient Care and Advocacy Emergency Response and Management Clinical Documentation Team Collaboration and Leadership Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Certifications Registered Nurse (RN) – Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing – Issued: June 2014 Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certified, American Heart Association – Issued: March 2023 Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certified, American Heart Association – Issued: February 2022

Knowing how to effectively list promotions on a resume is a key strategy for demonstrating your professional growth and value to potential employers.

By clearly highlighting your achievements and upward career progression, you show not only your dedication but also your ability to excel in your roles. Remember to use the right formatting, provide context for your promotions, and focus on the skills and responsibilities you gained.

Using a well-structured resume with promotions , you can leave a strong impression and increase your chances of landing your next great opportunity.

Amanda Baker

Certified Professional Resume Writer

Amanda Baker is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career coach with over a decade of experience crafting compelling resumes and career marketing tools. As a black resume writer, Amanda brings a distinctive perspective to her work, guided by her commitment to nurturing the next generation of job seekers. Her ultimate goal is to equip young professionals with the skills and knowledge to confidently navigate the competitive job market.

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How to Show Promotions on a Resume: Examples, Formatting Tips, and ATS Considerations

Promotions on a resume are a powerful way to showcase your career growth and highlight your achievements. They demonstrate your ability to take on increased responsibilities and succeed in more advanced roles. Including these promotions effectively can make a strong impression on potential employers, showing them that you are capable and driven.

In this guide, we'll cover how to list promotions on your resume, including examples and formatting tips. We'll also discuss how to make your resume ATS-friendly, ensuring that your career progression is clearly communicated and easily understood by both humans and machines.

• Why You Should Include Promotions on a Resume

Including promotions on your resume is essential because it demonstrates career growth and increased responsibility. It highlights your ability to take on new challenges and succeed in more advanced roles, which employers find attractive.

Promotions provide clear evidence of your skills and accomplishments, showing that you have been recognized for your contributions. They help to differentiate you from other candidates by showcasing your professional development and commitment to your work.

For example, if you started as an entry-level analyst and moved up to a managerial position, this progression shows your leadership abilities and adaptability. It also indicates that you have gained valuable experience and skills that are crucial for the role you’re applying for.

• How to Show Promotions on a Resume

When detailing promotions on your resume, it's essential to choose a method that best showcases your career growth and aligns with the roles you're applying for. Here are additional strategies:

Stacked Entries : This method involves listing all the roles you've held at the same company under one company name, stacking the job titles and dates in reverse chronological order. This approach is particularly useful when your roles were similar or when you want to emphasize your tenure and growth within a single organization. For instance:

Company Name, Location Senior Analyst, May 2020 - Present Junior Analyst, June 2018 - May 2020

• Led project management initiatives resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency.
• Promoted for exceptional performance and leadership skills.

Separate Entries : This technique is ideal when your roles had significantly different responsibilities or when you returned to a company after working elsewhere. Each position is listed as a distinct entry, allowing you to detail specific achievements and responsibilities for each role. For example:

Company Name, Location Senior Marketing Manager, July 2019 - Present

• Spearheaded the digital marketing overhaul, increasing lead generation by 30%.

Company Name, Location Marketing Specialist, January 2017 - July 2019

• Developed content strategies that boosted web traffic by 25%.

Bullet Points for Achievements : Regardless of the format you choose, using bullet points to highlight key achievements is essential. Focus on quantifiable results and specific contributions that demonstrate the impact of your work.

Combining Roles When Necessary : If the responsibilities of your previous and current positions are very similar, you can combine them into a single entry. This method helps avoid redundancy and saves space. It can be beneficial if you were promoted in title but your role's core duties remained the same. Clearly indicate the promotion through a concise description.

Highlighting Key Skills and Responsibilities : With each promotion, your responsibilities likely increased. Highlight the skills and tasks specific to each position. This differentiation helps employers understand your evolving capabilities and the scope of your experience.

Explaining Promotions Through Achievements : When you are promoted, it's often due to specific achievements or projects. Use this opportunity to explain the reason for your promotion by detailing the projects or accomplishments that led to it. This can include leadership roles, significant projects, or any other contributions that set you apart.

Use Reverse Chronological Order : Always list your most recent position first. This is the most common and effective format, as it places the most relevant experience upfront, which is critical for keeping the reader's attention.

Incorporate Keywords for ATS Compatibility : Ensure your resume includes keywords relevant to your industry and the jobs you're targeting. This is particularly important if you're using separate entries, as it helps your resume get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and into the hands of hiring managers. Include relevant keywords from the job description to align your experience with the desired qualifications.

Visual Clarity and Consistency : Use consistent formatting for dates, job titles, and company names to ensure clarity. This helps hiring managers quickly understand your career trajectory. Use bold or italics sparingly to emphasize key elements without cluttering the resume.

Contextualizing Each Promotion : Briefly mention the context or reason for each promotion, such as company restructuring, project success, or leadership recognition. This adds depth to your experience and helps employers see the strategic value you brought to your previous roles.

Showcasing Leadership and Initiative : If your promotions involved taking on more leadership or supervisory roles, emphasize these aspects. Detail any team management, project leadership, or decision-making responsibilities to illustrate your capacity for leadership and initiative.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively showcase your career progression and the value you brought to each role, making it clear why you are a strong candidate for the positions you're applying for.

• Stacked Entries to Show Promotions: Showing Multiple Roles at the Same Company

Stacked entries are a method of listing multiple roles at the same company under a single heading. This format is effective when the roles are closely related, and you want to emphasize your longevity and progression within the company.

In this format, you list the company name once and stack the job titles and dates in reverse chronological order. This approach highlights your career growth and allows you to show promotions without repeating company details. It also makes it easy for employers to see your career progression and dedication to the organization.

For example, if you started as a Junior Analyst and progressed to Senior Analyst, your resume might list:

Company Name, Location Senior Analyst, May 2020 - Present Junior Analyst, June 2018 - May 2020 This setup demonstrates your upward mobility and steady career advancement within the company.

• Separate Entries to Show Promotions: When Responsibilities Differ

Separate entries are ideal when your promotions involve significantly different responsibilities or when you return to a company after working elsewhere. This format allows you to highlight distinct roles and achievements in each position, providing a clearer picture of your diverse skills and experiences.

By listing each position separately, you can provide detailed descriptions of your accomplishments and responsibilities in each role. This approach is especially useful if your promotions included a substantial change in duties or required new skills. It helps employers understand the scope of your experience and the specific contributions you made in each role.

For instance, if you worked as a Marketing Specialist and were later promoted to Marketing Manager, you would list each role separately:

Company Name, Location Marketing Manager, July 2019 - Present

• Led a team to implement new strategies that increased engagement by 40%.
• Developed and executed campaigns that boosted brand awareness.

This method showcases the breadth of your experience and highlights the unique contributions made in each role.

• Highlighting Achievements in Each Role While Listing Your Promotion

When listing promotions on your resume, it's crucial to highlight achievements in each role to demonstrate the value you brought to the company. Use specific, quantifiable metrics to showcase your impact, such as increased sales, improved efficiency, or successful projects.

To effectively highlight achievements, use bullet points that start with strong action verbs and include clear outcomes. This approach not only captures attention but also provides concrete evidence of your contributions. Focus on accomplishments that are most relevant to the job you're applying for, tailoring your resume to the specific role and industry.

For example, if you were promoted from Sales Associate to Sales Manager, you could highlight achievements like:

"Increased team sales by 25% in the first quarter as Sales Manager" and "Developed a new customer engagement strategy that boosted repeat business by 15%."

These examples show your progression and the tangible results of your leadership and initiative.

• Using Reverse Chronological Order for Listing Promotions

Using reverse chronological order to list promotions on your resume ensures that your most recent and relevant experience is highlighted first. This format places the newest job position at the top, followed by previous roles, providing a clear view of your career progression.

This approach is preferred by recruiters and hiring managers as it allows them to quickly understand your latest and most advanced experiences. It helps to emphasize recent promotions and the responsibilities you've undertaken in your most current role, which are often the most relevant to potential employers.By organizing your resume this way, you make it easier for employers to see your growth and achievements over time.

For example, if you have progressed from a Junior Developer to a Senior Developer and then to a Team Lead, you would list these positions starting with Team Lead at the top, followed by Senior Developer and Junior Developer. This order showcases your upward trajectory and the increasing levels of responsibility you have handled.

• How to List Promotions on a Resume and Tackle Addressing ATS Concerns

To effectively list promotions and ensure your resume is ATS-friendly, follow these tips:

• Separate Each Promotion : Clearly list each job title and the dates held, even if at the same company. This helps ATS systems differentiate between roles.
• Use Consistent Formatting : Keep the formatting of company names, job titles, and dates uniform across all entries to maintain clarity.
• Include Relevant Keywords : Use specific keywords related to the skills and responsibilities of each promoted position to align with the job description.
• Focus on Achievements : Highlight significant achievements and responsibilities in each role to show career progression and the impact of each promotion.
• Avoid Complex Formatting : Stick to simple, text-based formatting without graphics or unconventional bullet points, which can disrupt ATS parsing.

These practices help ensure that your promotions are clearly recognized and that your resume is compatible with ATS software, improving the chances of it being reviewed by a recruiter.

• How to Explain Short-Term Promotions

When explaining short-term promotions on your resume, it's important to provide context that highlights your achievements and justifies the quick advancement:

• Highlight Accelerated Performance : If the promotion was due to exceptional performance, clearly state this and provide specific achievements that led to the rapid advancement.
• Emphasize Unique Opportunities : Mention if the promotion occurred due to unique opportunities such as a special project or a sudden company need that you fulfilled successfully.
• Detail Leadership Recognition : Explain if the promotion was a result of being recognized by leadership for your skills, adaptability, or contributions that went beyond your role.
• Address Potential Concerns : If the promotion timeline might raise concerns, such as seeming too fast, briefly explain the situation in a cover letter or interview, focusing on your readiness and suitability for the new responsibilities.
• Describe Increased Responsibilities : Highlight any significant increase in responsibilities that justified the promotion, emphasizing your ability to quickly adapt to and excel in more challenging roles.
• Showcase Unique Skill Sets : If your skill set was a rare fit for the new role, mention this as a factor in your promotion, underscoring your unique contributions to the organization.
• Clarify Internal Restructuring : If the promotion was part of an internal restructuring or reorganization, explain how you were selected for the new role, showcasing your qualifications and readiness.
• Indicate External Recognition : If your promotion was influenced by external recognition, such as awards or certifications, include this to highlight your achievements and the value you brought to the organization.
• Mention Mentorship or Sponsorship : If a mentor or sponsor within the company advocated for your promotion due to your potential and performance, mention this support to validate your advancement.
• Examples of Well-Formatted Promotion on Resume

When listing promotions on your resume, it's essential to showcase them in a clear and organized manner. Here are some examples of well-formatted promotions:

Example of Stacked Entries to Show Promotion on Resume

Use this format if your roles were similar in nature but showed career progression.

Company Name, Location Senior Financial Analyst, June 2020 - Present Junior Financial Analyst, January 2018 - June 2020

• Developed comprehensive financial models that improved forecasting accuracy by 15%.
• Promoted due to consistent top performance and leadership in key projects.

Formatting Promotion on Resume with Separate Entries

Ideal for significantly different roles or responsibilities, each role is listed separately.

Company Name, Location Marketing Manager, July 2021 - Present

• Led a rebranding campaign that increased market share by 20%.
• Managed a team of 10 marketing specialists.

Company Name, Location Marketing Specialist, March 2019 - July 2021

• Implemented digital marketing strategies that doubled online engagement.
• Recognized for innovative approaches to content marketing.

Formatting Promotion on Resume with Bullet Point Achievements

Highlight specific achievements that led to promotions.

Company Name, Location Project Manager, August 2019 - Present

• Promoted after successfully managing a $1M project, delivering it on time and under budget.
• Introduced a new project management methodology that increased efficiency by 30%.

Formatting Promotion on Resume in a Reverse Chronological Order

Use this format to list your most recent and relevant roles first.

Company Name, Location Director of Sales, May 2022 - Present

• Oversaw a 25% increase in annual sales through strategic market expansion.

Company Name, Location Sales Manager, January 2020 - May 2022

• Led a team to achieve the highest sales growth in the company’s history.

Formatting Promotion on Resume by Highlighting Key Skills

Emphasize the skills and responsibilities associated with each promotion.

Company Name, Location IT Manager, October 2020 - Present

• Promoted for demonstrating leadership in crisis management during a major system upgrade.
• Managed a cross-functional team to enhance cybersecurity protocols.

Formatting Promotion on Resume By Showcasing Project-Based Promotions

If your promotion was tied to specific projects, highlight the key projects and outcomes.

Company Name, Location Senior Project Coordinator, January 2021 - Present

• Promoted after successfully leading a major software implementation project, improving operational efficiency by 40%.
• Coordinated cross-departmental teams to achieve project goals on time.

Formatting Promotion on Resume by Highlighting Return to Previous Company

If you returned to a previous company in a higher role, detail both stints to show growth.

Company Name, Location Senior Account Executive, February 2023 - Present

• Rehired to lead a new sales team, significantly increasing client acquisition.
• Managed key accounts and developed new client strategies.

Company Name, Location Account Executive, June 2018 - December 2020

• Consistently exceeded sales targets, leading to the development of new sales initiatives.

Formatting Promotion on Resume by Showcasing Horizontal Moves with Promotions

If your promotions involved lateral moves with increased responsibilities, clarify the transition.

Company Name, Location Senior Content Strategist, April 2021 - Present

• Transitioned from Editorial Team Lead to focus on content strategy, overseeing content for major brand campaigns.
• Developed and implemented a content strategy that boosted brand visibility.

Formatting Promotion on Resume by Showcasing Multiple Promotions in a Short Time Frame

When multiple promotions occurred within a short period, clearly list each with distinct achievements.

Company Name, Location Operations Director, January 2022 - Present

• Promoted twice within two years for driving operational improvements and cost savings initiatives.
• Led a team to streamline processes, reducing operational costs by 20%.

These examples demonstrate how to effectively showcase promotions, ensuring your career progression is clear and compelling to potential employers.

• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Promotions

When listing promotions on your resume, avoid these common mistakes to ensure your experience is presented clearly and professionally:

• Lack of Clarity : Failing to separate different roles can confuse readers. For example, instead of writing "Marketing Manager/ Specialist," list each title with distinct responsibilities and dates. This approach clarifies your career progression.
• Inconsistent Formatting : Using varied formats for job titles, dates, and company names can make your resume look unorganized. For instance, consistently format job titles in bold and dates in italics to maintain a professional appearance.
• Overloading with Information : Including too much detail in each role can overwhelm the reader. Focus on key achievements, like "Increased sales by 20%," which are relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Ignoring Chronology : Listing roles out of chronological order can confuse employers about your career progression. Always list your most recent position first to clearly show your career trajectory. For example, start with "Sales Director, 2021 - Present" before listing "Sales Manager, 2018 - 2021."
• Not Explaining Short-Term Promotions : Failing to provide context for short-term promotions can raise questions. Briefly explain the reasons for rapid advancements, such as "Promoted to Senior Analyst within six months due to outstanding performance."

By avoiding these mistakes and providing clear, well-organized information, you can present a compelling narrative of your career progression and achievements.

• The Importance of Including Dates of Employment while Listing Promotions on a Resume

Including dates of employment on your resume is vital as it establishes a clear timeline of your career progression. This helps employers understand how long you held each position, reflecting your stability and commitment.

Specific dates are crucial for showcasing your promotions. They highlight the frequency and timing of your career advancements, making your growth visible. Clear dates also ensure compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), enhancing your resume's readability and chances of passing initial screenings.

Madison Norton

VP Marketing & Resume Expert

Madison is the VP Marketing and General Manager at VisualCV . He's a seasoned marketing leader, resume writing and career marketing expert and now helping people grow their own career marketing strategies to build a career they love.

Madison on LinkedIn

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