Ask a Resume Writer: How Do You Show a Promotion on a Resume?

Getting a promotion is a great career achievement. It shows dedication to your personal growth and the success of your employer. Better yet, when a hiring manager sees promotions on your resume when you apply, you’ll stand out from the pack.

What’s the best way to show a promotion on a resume? We asked Laurie Ballow, Certified Professional Resume Writer at iHire, for her advice.

How to Put a Promotion on a Resume

“When you’ve held several roles at the same company, one way to show your career progression is what we call the ‘umbrella format.’ Within your experience section, add each title beneath the company name with dates in reverse-chronological order. This paints a clear picture for the reader,” Ballow said.

Here’s an example of how you might show multiple promotions on a resume:

“You could go into detail for each role with individual paragraphs outlining your day-to-day duties and bullet points highlighting your achievements, or you could focus exclusively on your current or most recent role,” continued Ballow.

If you’ve been promoted many times and want to save some space while ensuring your latest position stands out, you could also use a layout like this:

How to Explain Why You Were Promoted in Your Resume

When showing promotions on a resume, should you explain why you were promoted?

“You’d be selling yourself short if you don’t provide a short explanation of how you earned your promotion, especially if it was because of a major achievement or contribution you made,” Ballow continued. “There are a few different ways to do this, and you can choose the strategy that makes the most sense for your career.”

For your most recent role, consider including a brief explanation like this before outlining your daily duties:

“You could also use a bullet point to draw even more attention to your promotions and highlight your impactful contributions,” said Ballow. “Providing the story behind your progression will make it more memorable.”

Here are a few examples of bulleted achievements focused on a promotion:

Showing Promotions on a Resume

Mentioning that you were promoted in your resume is a great way to tell your unique career story and stand out against other applicants with similar experience and qualifications. Use Ballow’s advice and examples to add your promotions to your resume and apply for your next job with an extra boost of confidence!

Want more resume guidance? Explore our Resource Center and resume tools today, like our free Resume Builder.