How to Show Promotions on Your Resume

When it comes to creating a compelling resume, showcasing your achievements and career progression is essential.

One aspect of this is effectively displaying promotions you’ve earned during your professional journey.

Including promotions on your resume can significantly enhance your credibility and desirability to potential employers.

In this article, we’ll delve into the importance of including promotions on resume, how to list them, and provide examples for different scenarios you may encounter.

In This Guide:

Should You Put Promotions on Your Resume?

Before we delve into the specifics of listing promotions on your resume, it’s crucial to address whether you should include them in the first place. The answer is a resounding yes and for several reasons.

1. Reflects Professional Growth

Promotions are a clear indicator of your professional growth within an organization. They demonstrate that your skills, performance, and dedication have been recognized and rewarded by your employer. This is valuable information for potential employers who are seeking candidates with a track record of success and progression.

2. Sets You Apart

In a competitive job market, standing out is essential. Including promotions on your resume distinguishes you from candidates who have held similar positions without progression. It shows that you’ve consistently added value and have been entrusted with increased responsibilities.

3. Establishes Trust

Promotions can be seen as endorsements from previous employers or supervisors. When a hiring manager sees that you have earned promotions, they may be more likely to trust your abilities and potential to excel in the new role they’re offering.

4. Demonstrates Adaptability

A career with promotions often involves adapting to new challenges and learning new skills. By showcasing your promotions, you highlight your adaptability and willingness to take on fresh responsibilities and grow in your career.

How to List Promotions on Your Resume

Listing promotions on your resume is a crucial part of showcasing your career progression and demonstrating your value to potential employers.

When done effectively, it can help you stand out and show that you’ve consistently excelled in your roles.

Use a Consistent Format: Maintain a clear and consistent format throughout your resume. Typically, promotions are listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role and working backward.
Create a Separate Section: Consider creating a dedicated section for promotions or advancements within your employment history. This section can be titled “Promotions” or “Career Progression” to draw attention to your achievements.
Mention the Company Name: Begin by stating the name of the company or organization where you received the promotions. Include the company’s location and the period during which you worked there.
Highlight the Initial Position: Under the company name, mention the position you initially held when you started working for the company. Include the job title, department, and any specific responsibilities that provide context for your career journey.
Include Promotion Details: For each subsequent promotion, provide details such as the new job title, the department or team you joined, and the date of the promotion. If your promotion came with additional responsibilities or a change in job scope, highlight these changes.
Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, include quantifiable achievements related to each position. For example, if you increased sales revenue, improved project completion times, or saved the company money, use specific numbers to illustrate your impact.
Explain the Reasons: Offer a brief explanation of the reasons for each promotion, such as your outstanding performance, exceeding targets, or taking on additional responsibilities. This gives context to your progression and showcases your strengths.
Emphasize Skills and Responsibilities: Mention any skills or new responsibilities you acquired with each promotion. This demonstrates your growth and versatility within the organization.
Use Action Verbs: When describing your roles and accomplishments, use strong action verbs to make your statements more impactful. For example, instead of saying “responsible for,” use “led,” “implemented,” or “managed.”
Tailor to the Job: Customize your promotion descriptions to align with the job you’re applying for. Highlight experiences and skills relevant to the specific position to show that you’re a suitable candidate.
Keep It Concise: While it’s important to highlight your promotions, be mindful of brevity. Focus on the most significant details, and avoid including every minor change in your role. A resume should ideally be at most two pages.
Address Gaps (if necessary): If your promotions left employment gaps due to career changes or extended education, address them honestly and briefly in your resume. Explain the reasons for these gaps, as employers value transparency.

Remember that your resume should tell a compelling story of your professional journey, highlighting your career progression and the valuable skills and experience you’ve gained along the way.

Here are some other things you should include in your resume.

Resume With Multiple Positions from Same Company

Here are some examples on how to list them effectively:

Example: Software Developer

Company: XYZ Tech Solutions
- Position 1: Junior Software Developer (June 2015 – March 2017)
- Position 2: Software Developer (March 2017 – December 2018)
- Position 3: Senior Software Developer (January 2019 – Present)

Example: Nursing

Company: Mercy Hospital
- Position 1: Registered Nurse (RN) – Medical/Surgical Ward (May 2016 – September 2018)
- Position 2: Charge Nurse (October 2018 – June 2020)
- Position 3: Nurse Manager – Critical Care (July 2020 – Present)

In these example, the candidates has progressed through three distinct roles within the same company. When listing these promotions, ensure you provide the company name, your positions, and the respective dates of employment. Make it clear how you evolved from one position to the next, showcasing your growing expertise and contributions.

Get a clear idea on what to add with a sample of our IT manager resume.

How to Show Multiple Promotions on Resume

Example: Retail Sales Manager

Company 1: ABC Supermart (May 2016 – December 2018)
- Position 1: Sales Associate (May 2016 – February 2017)
- Position 2: Assistant Sales Manager (March 2017 – December 2018)
Company 2: XYZ Mega Stores (January 2019 – Present)
- Position: Retail Sales Manager

Example: Project Manager

Company 1: ABC Project Management Consultants (May 2017 – December 2019)
- Position 1: Project Coordinator (May 2017 – April 2018)
- Position 2: Project Manager (May 2018 – December 2019)
Company 2: XYZ Construction Services (January 2020 – Present)
- Position: Senior Project Manager

In this instance, the candidates has worked at multiple companies and has had promotions. Clearly state the different companies and positions held within each one. When displaying promotions, use the same format as mentioned previously.

Takeaways

Including promotions on your resume is not just about showcasing your professional growth but also about establishing your credibility, adaptability, and potential to future employers.

When listing promotions, ensure clarity and consistency, especially in scenarios involving job changes within the same company or multiple positions.

By effectively presenting your career progression, you can set yourself apart as a valuable candidate with a proven track record of success.

Learn how you can boost your resume with these resume summary examples.

Author
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Diane Wong

Content Marketer at ResumeWriter

With a background in content creation and copywriting, Diane specializes in creating informative and engaging content that helps you craft compelling resumes and excel in the job market.

Connect with Diane through their insightful articles, and join them on a journey to transform your resume into a powerful tool that paves the way for your career success.