Lab Tech Resume—Sample & Tips for Laboratory Technicians
Lab Tech Resume—Sample & Tips for Laboratory Technicians
You send out the samples, but get no results back. With this lab technician resume guide, your application will be picked out as if by ultracentrifuge.
Dave Rygielski
Career Expert
The lab manager is pretty good at picking out things they’re looking for on the gas liquid chromatography. They’re much less adept at picking out things they’re looking for from your lab technician resume.
Don't worry though, because you’re here, and you will not make any of the common mistakes that will ruin your chances of getting a job.
In this guide:
A perfectly calibrated lab technician resume sample.
A set of clear rules for the resume format.
Tips for grabbing attention with your lab technician resume objective.
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Meticulous lab technician with 9+ years of experience working on government research projects. Adept at using LIMS to manage 75+ samples a day with 100% accuracy. Trained and mentored 15 laboratory technicians. Proven track record at improving efficiency of testing and cutting costs. Seeking to leverage those skills on world-class research projects at GrowLab.
Work Experience
Lab Technician
Regional Medical Centre, Baltimore
March 2012—Present
Participated in 4 government research projects with a total budget of $1M.
Used LabWare LIMS to manage 75+ samples a day.
Maintained 100% error-free documentation for the whole duration of employment.
Trained 15 laboratory technicians, seven of which work on government and international projects.
Implemented 5S procedures and FIFO protocols that improved efficiency of testing by 15%.
Introduced improvements to supply ordering that lowered costs by $3,000 annually.
Took part in 2+ international science conferences every year.
Lab Technician Intern
YourLab, Baltimore
January 2011—February 2012
Worked in a team of 12 experienced lab technicians.
Prepared and processed reagents and patient samples for microscopic examination and laboratory analysis.
Operated, maintained and sterilized laboratory equipment in order to comply with strict health and safety rules.
Education
Associate of Science – Microbiology, 2008-2011
Liberty University, Lynchburg, United States
Certifications
Medical Lab Technician MLT (ASCP) — 2012
Skills
Multitasking
Labware LIMS
5S Methodology
Precision
Organization of work
Collaboration skills
Languages
Spanish (advanced)
Portuguese (advanced)
French (beginner)
Mary won’t have to wait long for her results. Let’s get started on your own lab technician resume.
1. Use a Business Resume Format
There’s a reason lab results are presented in tables and graphs. It makes it easy to pick the key stuff out. The same way, resumes also have a common format that allows even the most overworked of lab managers to find what they’re looking for.
If you don’t set out your information in this way, you’re making them work for it. They have enough on their plate, sorry, Petri dish, so don’t. Follow these resume layout rules:
That’s the framework, now let’s collect all the samples to include.
2. Write a Centrifugal Lab Technician Resume Objective or Summary
Your resume profile is the quick panel of most key results that they will be interested in. It’s the red blood cell count of your resume. HR looks at your resume for 7.4 seconds, so pick the most key results to include.
List your years of experience, type of work you have done, and 2-3 most key achievements or improvements you made at your past job. Then, in a single line, state your ambition at the new workplace to make a solid career summary statement.
You can write a powerful career objective even if you don’t have relevant lab tech experience. Focus on showing transferable skills and add numbered achievements whenever possible.
Expert Hint: How to write a resume profile? It is best to do this once you have completed the other sections of your lab technician resume, especially your job description.
3. Detox Your Lab Technician Job Description and Skills Section
Fire up the induction coils. List 3 to 8 bullet points that outline the type and magnitude of work you have done, and focus on backing them up with measurable results and accomplishments. The PAR (Problem-Action-Result) method can be helpful if you’re stuck.
For older positions, limit yourself to 3 bullet points.
Lab Technician Job Description
The worse example is what most lab tech resume samples will look like. Without numbers and perspective, it does nothing.
If you want to underline a particular part of your skillset, or you have something that needs to be included but doesn’t warrant a bullet point, make a section with skills to put on your resume. Mix 5-10 hard and soft skills and make sure they’re relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Lab Technician Skills for Resume
Adaptability
Attention to detail
CAD
Collaboration
Computer skills
Conflict resolution
Corporate scheduling
Customer service
Data entry
Detail-oriented
Equipment calibration
Equipment maintenance
Equipment programming
Equipment troubleshooting
HIPAA
Initiative
Inspection preparation
Interpersonal communication
LIWS
Listening
Microscope operation
Multi-line phone systems
Multi-tasking
Office supply management
Organizational skills
PPE use
Prioritizing
Problem-solving
Record keeping
Reliability
Scheduling
Specimen analysis
Specimen collection
Specimen preparation
Time management
Training
XX WPM Typing Speed
Expert Hint: The job isn’t all vials and pipettes. There’s going to be a lot of typing. If you’re scarce on experience, listing your typing speed could help. Take an online test and run it a few times to find the average.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
4. Include An Education Section
Unless you’re applying for a specialist research post that requires a certain degree, you will probably be well served to reduce it to just the name of the degree, date of graduation, and school name.
Of course, you need to be certified to perform this job, so lead with a certifications section. What comes after that is a matter of personal preference and carefully weighing up what is relevant and will benefit your application.
You should list bonus resume sections under clear headings:
Before your lab tech resume goes under the microscope:
Begin with our lab technician resume sample and include your own info.
Follow the resume format guidelines—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
Bolster your job description with achievements and numbers.
Structure certifications, skills and other bonus sections properly.
Send a lab technician cover letter.
Got questions on how to write a great resume for lab technicians? Was the lab technician resume sample helpful? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.
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Written byDave Rygielski
Dave is a career expert delivering a wide range of well-researched advice regarding the job hunting and application process. At ResumeLab, his data-driven resume and cover letter guides help readers capitalize on their potential.