INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lab Technician positions are at a 7% growth rate, which is as fast as average. With that said, there are currently 87,600 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 5,900 to 93,500 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Lab Technician jobs was $46,340 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,440, and the highest 10% more than $74,600.
Our conclusion? The Lab Technician job market is wide open for candidates.
Top lab technician sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
What to write in your lab technician experience section
Perfecting your lab technician resume experience section:
- Focus on results, not responsibilities;
- Use 4-6 bullet points per position;
- List only positions that are relevant to what you’re applying for;
- Include at least some form of quantitative data – it can be linked to the number of people you’ve managed or the - percentage decrease in costs that’s followed from your work - you decide;
- Choose action verbs over buzzwords.
We’ve collected some of the top resume experience sections from real Enhancv users. Check them out when drafting your own Lab Technician resume!
- High performance thin layer chromatography testing to quantify chemical constituents
- 3M Petrifilm rapid yeast and mold count plate testing
- Profiled analyses of up to 20+ tested samples per day
- Incoming and outgoing sample management
- Performed BOD, COD, TOC, TDPAS, Sulfite and Conductivity analyses
- Performed instruments’ calibration and minor troubleshooting
- Implemented organizational skills to efficiently perform several experiments in a short period of time
- Entered data and stored all experimental results with accuracy
- Complied with all safety rules and practices
- Created and maintained neat, correct, labeled records
- Performed lab tests and procedures; compounded formulas
- Prioritized workflow and worked extra hours to meet deadlines
- Used word processing and spreadsheet software
- Practical knowledge of rubber mixing procedures, raw materials and issues pertaining to mixing
- Designing and executing laboratory testing according to ASTM standard procedure , A2LA Accreditation, and ISO 9001 certification
- Practice good laboratory housekeeping to prevent contamination by following regular cleaning schedule
- Receiving, labeling and analyzing samples & Accurately measure ingredients for rubber recipes
- Team lead for BVD testing
- Plating of cattle blood, hair, and tissue samples into 96-deep well plates and half skirts
- Evacuation of buffer from tissue samples using pipettes
- Digestion of plates using a Phoenix and a buffer solution that I prepared
- Preparation of various solutions used in digestion and BVD testing
- Extensive knowledge on lab safety
- Archiving and sample management
- Tested (paints, chemicals, and other coating) for chemical and physical properties, and approved or modified large batches (500-10,000 lbs).
- Recorded, organized, and interpreted data
- Served as a part of the management team by giving direction to small group of people (4-9 people), and instructing them on what is needed to properly mix and shade batches
- Performed tests to determine product quality, and to investigate alternative suppliers, materials, and production methods.
- Designed and created prototypes using 3D design software such as Solidworks, and AUTOCAD.
- Designed, executed, and analyzed experiments to created formal lab reports.
- Developed Rubber Adhesion Promoters, heavy metal products
- Improved Raw Material acceptance process
- Analyzed samples via titration and instrumentation
- Performed human specimen collections of urine, blood, and saliva.
- Executed Laboratory tests such as cell counting, blood-glucose assays, and cell washes.
- Guaranteed overall compliance with protocols in conducting clinical laboratory testing.
- Practical knowledge of rubber mixing procedures, raw materials and issues pertaining to mixing
- Designing and executing laboratory testing according to ASTM standard procedure , A2LA Accreditation, and ISO 9001 certification
- Practice good laboratory housekeeping to prevent contamination by following regular cleaning schedule
- Receiving, labeling and analyzing samples &Accurately measure ingredients for rubber recipes
- Successfully execute Laboratory operation with full awareness and compliance to both company and customer’s HSE policy and procedures
- Maintain Lab administration including inventory of chemical and equipment calibration and maintenance
- As Sr. Lab Technician I was trusted to be the mentor of new-hired Engineer and Lab Technician with their training program in the Lab
- Collect samples, study and perform tests on plants.
- Chemical compounds, biological specimens, or other fields of science.
- Use various types of machinery, lab equipment and complex computer programs to perform their tests.
- Applying chemical synthesis to obtain results for drugs discovery.
- Researching possible reactions pathways, calculating reactants' masses/volumes and carrying out the synthesis procedure.
- Analyzing results and making suggestions on how to improve the procedure's efficiency.
- Extensive behavioral training (staircase and IBB) done with immunodeficient and regular rats.
- Basic histology work including preparing tissue samples and mounting slides.
- Able to properly care for and help sustain a healthy rat colony.
- Responsible for data entry for the largest chronological Ichthyoplankton database in the world.
- Genome testing of samples that could not be identified visually.
- Aid in helping US fisheries battle sustainability in a rapidly changing ocean climate.
- Adhering to SOP for all processes of the lab including but not limited to processing up to 5,000+ DNA samples through the Infinium assay
- Evaluating and accessioning received samples to be processed
- Part of a team designed to hone the efficiency of production resulting in 10,000 additional samples processed weekly
- Proof read updated work instructions for the lab to ensure clarity and accuracy
- Performed manual and mechanical extraction of DNA from saliva samples onto a 96 well plate
- Responsible for training and re-training employees on how to run the lab safely and effectively with a clinical mindset
- Maintaining electronic and physical documentation for all samples processed
- Working and communicating with outside contractors and vendors via phone and email as well as in person
- Preparation of microbiological media
- Sample collection and analysis using membrane filtration method
- Analysis of potable and waste water, beverages and drugs
- Sterilization and decontamination of cultured media
- Assisting in the preparations of standard operating procedures with senior technicians
- Research data entry
- Sorting,organizing and interpreting data
PRO TIP
The person reading your Lab Technician resume will be busy, make sure you never waste their time with fluff.
Action verbs for your lab technician resume
Recommended reads:
Lab technician resume skills section to impress recruiters
Checklist for a perfect Lab Technician resume skills section:
- Make sure to include most if not all essential skills for the job;
- Check the job description and add some keywords to pass ATS;
- List both hard and technical skills;
- When it comes to soft skills – elaborate on them in other sections of your resume (e.g. the experience section).
Top skills for your lab technician resume
VNA
Microsoft Office
R
Matlab
Latex
ArcGIS
PCI Geomatica
Critical thinking
Problem Solving
Creativity
Innovation
Organisation
Attention to details
Caution
PRO TIP
Don’t feel obliged to spend a separate section for your soft skills - you can weave them throughout your job experience or career summary. But, don’t just write empty words - back them with examples.
Recommended reads:
Lab technician resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your lab technician resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
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PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have policies about identifying information like photos on your Lab Technician resume. Be sure to check all the relevant rules before submitting yours. If you’re in doubt, you can always try contacting the company’s HR department to ask for their policy.
Writing an effective lab technician resume summary
Impressive Lab Technician resume summary checklist:
- Point out the achievements that make you a valuable applicant;
- Mention the total years of experience you have;
- Highlight the things you believe make you the best fit for the position;
- Keep it short: aim at having no more than 3-5 sentences.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Your summary section should act as a professional taster. Use it wisely. Effectively convey your professional profile and let the hiring manager know that if they hire you, they won’t be disappointed. Make sure to include keywords from the job description too! Elaborate on your abilities further in your experience section. Again, cater to the job description.
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Drawing the attention to your lab technician resume education section
Crafting a job-winning education section.
- Use the reverse-chronological format when listing your degrees;
- Tailor the classes you’ve taken to the position you’re applying for if you’re an entry-level candidate;
- Mention the awards and honors you’ve received;
- Add your certifications (but only those relevant to the position).
Top Certifications for Your Lab Technician Resume
Cisco Certified Technician R&S RSTECH (100-490) Training
Covers ALL new CCT Topics *** Excellent Packet Tracer Lab Exercises *** Everything You Need To Pass100-490 Exam
Become a Pharmacy Technician
A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
Terraform for the Absolute Beginners with Labs
Learn the basics of Terraform with real hands on labs right in your browser
Pharmacy Technician Exam Review
A Review Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
Cisco CCNA 200-301 Exam: Complete Course with practical labs
The complete course to help you prepare and pass Cisco's newest CCNA 200-301 exam. Everything you need: Theory and labs
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PRO TIP
If you hold a certain major and a minor, your majors should be mentioned first.
Choosing the best format for your lab technician resume
The content of your Lab Technician resume is what will get you hired, right?
But even when your content’s amazing and you’re a true over-achiever, recruiters might not think you’re a good fit if your resume looks messy or is not formatted the right way.
In general, there are three basic resume formats we advise you to stick with:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Deciding which one to use depends on your experience, the industry, and the company. In short — you need to know what your applicant profile is.
For instance, reverse-chronological resumes are great for people with over 10 years of experience and no employment gaps. Here, you need to list all your relevant experience in a reverse-chronological format, starting from the most recent and going back to less recent positions.
Functional skills-based resumes, on the other hand, are great for entry-level applicants, graduate students, or people who have different kinds of experience. It focuses on skills, education, and character traits, rather than experience.
If none of these work for you, and you dream of adopting a more creative approach that makes a difference, the combination (or hybrid) resume format is exactly what you’re looking for. It allows you to focus on both your experience and your skills, making it a ‘best of both worlds’ format. It’s also suitable for those who want to spice things up by adding different creative sections (e.g. ‘life philosophy’ or ‘what my day looks like’).
Here are some additional tips on perfecting your resume layout and style:
- Go for a traditional resume font sized 12p;
- Use standard 1-inch resume margins for increased readability;
- Make sure your resume fits on a one-page template. In case you’ve got 10 years of experience or more, your resume’s length can reach two pages;
- Avoid unwanted editing and plagiarism – save your resume as PDF before sending it to the recruiters.
Want to take it a step further? Learn how to make your resume stand out without relying too much on creativity.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If you feel that you don’t have high chances in a particular company, due to lack of relevant experience, then you can still consider using a creative layout. That might help you get noticed and invited for an interview, as most of the other applicants will have boring resume designs.
Want to include something more to your lab technician resume?
So you’ve already listed details about your education, experience, and skills. You’ve also crafted an amazing summary.
But now you feel a creative urge to showcase your personality and not just your expertise.
We’ve got you! Thanks to our modern templates, you can now include a chart of what your typical day looks like or even a word or two about your life philosophy. All this without sacrificing your Lab Technician resume’s professional feel.
Some non-traditional sections for your resume include:
Making your lab technician resume stand out
You want to make a strong first impression to all recruiters that get a hold of your resume. Sure you do! But how?
Well, the easiest way to stand out is by adding a bit of creativity to your Lab Technician resume. You could do this by going for a colorful layout or adding a creative section or two. It all depends on the industry and the position you’re applying for!
For instance, a position in design would allow for a more colorful resume, while a position in finance would probably not.
What makes a great lab technician resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
