How to List Multiple Positions at One Company on Resume
As you rise the ranks at your company, learn how to format a resume the right way.
Writing a resume is often a daunting challenge. It can be difficult to determine what information to include, how to organize and name each section of your resume, and the best resume format to tell your career story.
One of the most common questions professional resume writers receive is “How do I list multiple jobs within the same company?” It’s a perfectly understandable dilemma. If resume sections are typically separated by job and company, what do you do when there is only a foggy distinction between the two? Well, this could be done in one of two ways — you could either combine the experience into one listing or separate it into multiple. Let’s take a look.
Option 1: Stacking the two
Stacking the positions into one description is the most common resume format for organizing more than one position at a single company. This method is used to draw attention to lateral moves or progressive responsibilities, achievements, and dedication to the company. There are a few simple rules to this resume format:
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Include the overall date range at the top
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List dates for each position next to the job title
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Place job descriptions and bulleted key achievements directly below each position.
The sample resume format looks like this:
COMPANY NAME, City, State • Company Start Date to Company End Date
Position #2 Date to Date
Job Description
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Key Achievement 1
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Key Achievement 2
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Key Achievement 3
Position #1 Date to Date
Job Description
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Key Achievement 1
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Key Achievement 2
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Key Achievement 3
Place the most recent position at the top, and start each description with “Promoted within from store manager to __” and describe your new position. Use action verbs to show your accomplishments, not just your job duties. Also be sure to include bullet points of achievements, which reflect your contributions.
Here is an example of a description using action verbs and “achieving” language:
Incorrect: Responsible for managing operations at 50 stores in the state.
Correct: Coordinated team leadership for 50 stores statewide.
Related: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out With Action Verbs
Option 2: Keep the two separate
Sometimes positions are strong enough to stand alone. In those situations, it is advisable to list each career advancement or lateral move separately on your resume as you would if they were different positions at different companies. This approach draws attention to both your achievement history according to position and time frame.
One word of caution if choosing this way to format a resume: Be careful not to give the impression you were job hopping. Looking like a job hopper can be prevented by placing the dates clearly next to the company, making it easier for the hiring manager or employer to identify timeframes. Other resume format rules to follow include:
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Only identify important jobs separately
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List less-important positions together
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Make dates visible
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Draw attention to achievements
The resume format looks like this:
COMPANY A’s NAME, City, State • Start Date to End Date
Position #2
Job Description
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Key Achievement 1
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Key Achievement 2
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Key Achievement 3
COMPANY A’s NAME, City, State • Start Date to End Date
Position #1
Job Description
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Key Achievement 1
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Key Achievement 2
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Key Achievement 3
Another situation that you may find yourself needing to address in the format of your resume is listing positions at the same company, but with interruptions. For example, say John worked for Dell Computers for six years before moving to Apple. After two years at Apple, Dell then offered John a new position, paying twice his salary at Apple. John decided to go back to Dell and would list his jobs in the following order:
DELL, City, State • Start Date to End Date
Position #2 at Dell
Job Description
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Key Achievement 1
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Key Achievement 2
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Key Achievement 3
APPLE, City, State • Start Date to End Date
Position at Apple
Job Description
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Key Achievement 1
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Key Achievement 2
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Key Achievement 3
DELL, City, State • Start Date to End Date
Position #1 at Dell
Job Description
- Key Achievement 1
- Key Achievement 2
- Key Achievement 3
Takeaways
Listing more than one job or promotions within the same company shouldn’t be a difficult practice in resume formats. There are very few basic rules. For one, treat it as you would other job listings: Stack the positions under the company name, and draw attention to achievements and dates.
If the position calls for individual listings, remember to make the dates easier to see, focus on achievements, and write transition sentences to start each new position. This helps draw more attention to your abilities and clarify your situation. If you’re unsure whether to stack or list each position separately, remember these differences:
A stacked resume is used when positions are similar but with increasing responsibilities. It focuses on:
- Promotions
- Achievements
- Job Description
Separate positions are used when promotions are major and don’t fit well under the other positions. This one focuses on:
- Major promotions
- Hiatus from the company
- Achievements
- Dates
If you still are confused with the process, most trained professional resume writers are familiar with these resume formats. They can help guide you during the writing process or edit the documents for you.
Are you using the correct resume format? Submit for a free resume critique and we’ll tell you where you stand.