Getting a promotion isn’t just a boost for your current position; it’s also a strategic step towards securing a better job down the road. Harness the full power of your promotion by including it on your resume, giving employers the opportunity to trace your growth within a company.
Not sure how to include it on your resume— or if it’s even worth it at all?
Here are some quick and easy tips.
Why you should include your promotion on your resume
You may be debating on whether or not you should even include your promotions on your resume.
Maybe you started at an entry-level position that you don’t feel is worth mentioning. Perhaps you got a promotion because of your outstanding work, but your duties remained largely the same.
Regardless of how the promotion came about, highlighting it on your resume is important.
Promotions help you stand out among other candidates. They signal several things that can help you bolster your application:
- Acknowledgment of success and trust: A promotion is a recognition of your success and the trust your employer places in you. It indicates that your contributions are valued and that you are seen as a reliable, capable professional.
- Professional growth: Promotions often imply increased responsibility, leadership, or expertise. They show that you’ve grown in your role and are prepared for more advanced positions.
- Skills and abilities validation: Being promoted suggests you’ve mastered your role and possess the skills necessary for higher positions. It’s an endorsement from your previous employer of your capabilities.
- Career progression narrative: A promotion contributes to your career story, showing that you’re capable of upward movement and not stagnant in your career.
- Leadership potential: If your promotion included any increase in oversight or mentoring responsibilities, it indicates potential for leadership roles.
A promotion is a significant career milestone that reflects positively on your professional journey. It highlights your ability to succeed, grow, and potentially lead, making it an essential aspect to highlight on your resume.
How to show a promotion on a resume
The good news is that there is no one “right” way to show a promotion on a resume. How you approach yours should depend on one big distinction: job responsibilities.
Promotions with different job responsibilities
If your roles before and after your promotion consist of varied responsibilities, it’s best to use the stacked format.
To do this:
- List your company and location.
- Under the company name, list your most recent job title, along with the dates of that specific role.
- Use bullet points to detail your responsibilities and achievements within that role.
- Below that, list your previous title at the same company, along with the dates that you held that role.
- List the specific accomplishments and duties within your previous role.
This approach is concise and clearly shows your progression within the same organization.
Lightbulb Marketing | Austin, Texas
Creative Lead | January 2020 – May 2023
- Spearheaded a team of 8 designers to develop innovative advertising campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in client engagement.
- Initiated and managed the redesign of Lightbulb Marketing’s brand identity, enhancing the company’s visibility and market presence.
- Conducted client presentations and pitches, leading to the acquisition of key accounts contributing to 20% of the annual revenue.
Graphic Designer | January 2019 – December 2019
- Designed a wide range of marketing materials including brochures, banners, and digital ads, consistently meeting tight deadlines.
- Played a key role in the conceptualization and execution of a major rebranding project for a high-profile client, which was highly praised for its creativity.
- Collaborated closely with the content team to produce visually compelling designs that increased reader engagement for two clients by 25%.
Promotions with similar job responsibilities
You may have received a promotion that included a pay raise and job title bump, but your responsibilities remained the same. In this case, you should not waste the space on your resume (it’s precious!) rehashing the same responsibilities twice.
Instead, use the combined format:
- List the company name.
- List all of your positions at the company, noting the time in each position next to it. Start with your most recent position and work your way back.
- Below this, list the duties that you took on in these roles.
This format is less repetitive while still showcasing your career path. If you want to expand on why you were given the promotion, you can use one bullet point to touch on that. Don’t go too far into detail, however, as what you did in the role is probably more important than exactly how you got there.
Lightbulb Marketing | Austin, Texas
Senior Graphic Designer | January 2020 – May 2023
Junior Graphic Designer | January 2019 – December 2019
- Promoted to a senior role based on consistent high-quality design work and demonstrated leadership skills.
- Developed and maintained brand guidelines, ensuring all marketing materials adhere to the company’s visual identity.
- Collaborated closely with marketing and sales teams to create compelling visuals that resulted in increased client engagement and conversion rates.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, consistently meeting deadlines and exceeding client expectations.
Show off your career growth
Including your job promotion on your resume is a great way to showcase your professional growth. By learning how to show a promotion on a resume in a clear and concise way, you allow employers to follow your career path and see what you’ve accomplished.