Lab Technician Resume Sample (with Skills & Job Description)

No lab can possibly function without the patience and skills of lab techs like you. But still, getting a job as a lab tech can be incredibly hard—even if you can calibrate lab equipment with your eyes closed and document your findings with superhuman precision.

The solution? Crafting a lab technician resume that stands out like a test tube of blood against a white lab table.

This guide will show you: 

• A lab technician resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a lab technician resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a lab technician resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a lab technician to get any job you want.

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This guide focuses on a resume for lab technician job. If you're looking for a more general technician resume, check this guide: Technician Resume Example & Writing Tips

Looking for a different job in the lab? Check out these guides:

• Lab Assistant Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Chemical Engineering Resume
• Chemistry Resume
• Medical Technologist Resume
• Science Resume
• Biology Resume
• Environmental Science Resume
• Resume Example for Any Profession

Lab Technician Resume Sample

Here’s how to write a lab technician resume that gets jobs:

1. Use the Best Format for Your Lab Technician Resume

You can prove you’re detail-driven before they even read a word.

How?

With a clean lab technician resume format.

Take these formatting steps to show precision:

• Pick the right resume format, aka the chronological resume template. It shows your last job first.
• Write a resume header with name and job titles, and put an address on your resume.
• The best font for resume is Arial or Cambria. Don’t cram in too many words so the hiring manager actually reads it.
• Save as resume format PDF unless the job description tells you not to.

Pro Tip: How long should a resume be for lab technician jobs? A single page is best. A resume is just a way to show your very best achievements that fit one page. It’s not a life story.

2. Write a Lab Technician Resume Objective or Resume Summary

Why do some people get interviewed a lot?

Because they know lab tech hiring managers are busy.

So—

They get straight to the point.

How?

By writing a resume profile stocked with work accomplishments.

But should you write a lab technician resume summary or a resume objective?

That’s based on your experience. Lab techs with 2+ years should write a resume summary. Those with less should use a career objective.

Pro Tip: In entry-level resumes for laboratory technicians, you need to show your transferable skills. Do that with accomplishments from old jobs that prove interpersonal skills, teamwork, etc.

3. Fine-Tune Your Laboratory Technician Job Description for Your Resume

Who will get the job?

A tech who “handled” lab tech duties in a lab technician resume?

Or an MLT who did it really well?

Show you’re that second tech. Show work experience in a resume like this:

• List each job’s title, name of company, and months and years you started/stopped.
• Add bullet points—about 3–5—that show a mix of duties and achievements.
• Pick accomplishments that prove key skills, like, “Maintained all equipment with zero downtime.”
• See that “zero?” Add numbers like that to give your lab tech skills some scale.
• How to tailor your resume to the job description: Make sure the skills you prove are skills they really want.
• Use resume action words to keep them reading.

Pro Tip: Lab technicians with no experience can break in through temp agencies. Not fun, but it gets your foot in the door and can lead to long-term work.

4. Calibrate Your Lab Technician Resume Education Section

Every lab tech has an education.

Some have two years. Some have four.

What really matters?

How you show it on your lab technician resume.

Don’t just say your school, degree, and graduation date.

Add bullet points to your education resume section.

In them, prove a mix of your hard skills vs soft skills.

It’s done like this:

• Show your school’s name, the degree you earned, and years you studied.
• In your bullets, show your best classes.
• Did you belong to clubs or do a special project that shows lab technician skills? List those too.
• Definitely show your MLT or MLS certification too.

Pro Tip: Was your GPA impressive? Show it in your medical laboratory technician resume education section. Otherwise, use that space for an accomplishment you’re proud of.

5. Prove Lab Technician Skills in Your Resume

Check out this lab technician resume skills list:

Lab Technician Resume Skills

Hard Skills:

• Computer skills
• CAD
• Equipment calibration
• Equipment troubleshooting
• Equipment maintenance
• Equipment programming
• Specimen collection
• Specimen preparation
• Microscope operation
• PPE use
• Training
• Specimen analysis
• Record keeping
• HIPAA
• Inspection preparation

Soft Skills:

• Interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated
• Time management
• Analytical
• Communication skills (spoken and written)
• Teamwork
• Detail-oriented
• Efficient
• Hand-eye coordination
• Following procedures
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Safety

But here’s the thing—

You need to focus on the professional skills the company wants for this position. Analyze the job posting like it’s got the cure for unemployment in it. (It does!)

Pro Tip: Don’t list too many skills on your lab technician resume. That looks like you’re telling the employer what she wants to hear. Play up the ones you’re really strong on.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

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When you’re done, our professional resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

6. Add Other Sections to Your Lab Technician Resume

Want your lab technician resume to look generic?

Of course you don’t.

So, add sections that prove your skills and passion.

You can list:

• Volunteer work on a resume
• Activities
• Groups
• Associations
• Kudos from employers
• Hobbies
• Continuing education
• Sports

Pro Tip: Got less lab rat experience? Add more “other” sections. Been spinning blood for years? Add less.

7. Send a Cover Letter With Your Lab Technician Resume

Why add a cover letter to your lab technician resume?

Because most hiring managers like them.

A good lab technician cover letter can make managers say, “This candidate is perfect.”

But make yours different:

• Use a time-tested cover letter format.
• Know how to start a cover letter—with a hook.
• Show passion for the job and company that ties into your life.
• How to end a cover letter? Offer to share more info or to explain how you achieved something impressive.
• How long should a cover letter be? No more than half a page.

Pro Tip: Write a follow up email after application. Hiring managers in the lab tech world are busy. Most will appreciate the nudge.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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That’s it!

That’s how to write a resume for lab technician positions.

Still got questions about how to write a lab technician resume? Got a story about a great medical laboratory technician resume you wrote? Give us a shout in the comments. We’d love to talk!

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