Applying for an internal position at your own company requires a different resume strategy than external applications. While you might assume the hiring manager already knows your work, internal applications are often evaluated just as formally as external ones — especially in large Indian companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, or MNCs where the new team may never have interacted with you.
Your internal resume should leverage your biggest advantage: insider knowledge. Include company-specific metrics and context that an external candidate wouldn't have. Instead of generic bullets like 'Improved team productivity,' write 'Reduced sprint cycle time from 3 weeks to 2 weeks for the Payments Platform team, contributing to the H2 release timeline for Project Phoenix.' Use internal project names, tool names, and metrics that the new team's manager will immediately recognize and appreciate.
Highlight cross-functional work extensively. If you've collaborated with the team you're transferring to, mention it. If you've contributed to company-wide initiatives, innovation programs, or internal hackathons, feature them prominently. These demonstrate cultural fit and organizational commitment — two factors that heavily influence internal transfer decisions. Also mention any internal awards, recognition programs, or performance ratings (if exceptional).
Tailor the resume to the new role just as you would for an external position. Map your current skills and achievements to the new role's requirements. If you're moving from development to product management, reframe your technical contributions as product thinking. If moving from operations to analytics, highlight the data-driven decisions you've already made.