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As a lab assistant or laboratory assistant, you will need to aid scientists, lab directors, or medical professionals with lab tests and research. In general, this job demands in-depth knowledge of lab procedures and all regulations for health and safety.
Lab Assistant's duties and responsibilities:
If you want to convince the recruiter that you are the right fit, position yourself in the best way with a job-winning lab assistant resume. It should fully feature your skills, qualifications, and experience in the field.
Regardless of your expertise and professional level, this comprehensive resume guide will cover a wide range of lab assistant jobs that you might be seeking.
Nowadays, most companies are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to review and scan job applications before forwarding them to hiring managers. Hence, make sure to compile an ATS-compliant resume for lab assistant jobs otherwise it will likely be rejected.
Here are several ways to optimize your lab assistant resume for ATS:
Referring to lab assistant resume examples on the Internet can help you gain a lot of insights. You can learn about how to write a professional resume for lab assistant jobs, as well as what and what not to do when writing a job application.
Laboratory assistant jobs can vary by expertise or workplace. Therefore, try to customize your lab assistant resume by prioritizing your skills and qualifications for the job you're targeting.
For instance, make it clear whether you're writing a medical lab assistant resume, student lab assistant resume, or chemistry lab assistant resume since the job requirements are different.
💡 Tips: The golden tip is to not only know yourself but also understand the job descriptions thoroughly. You can then insert relevant keywords from the job ad.
We've emphasized the importance of job-related keywords in lab assistant resumes - to optimize the resume for ATS and tailor it to the specific role. One of them is “action verbs" that can sharpen up the language on your resume and impress the employer better.
Some of the action verbs commonly used in a laboratory assistant resume are: analyze, perform, collect, research, coordinate, conduct, aid, assist, record, implement, etc.
Achievements in your career can speak louder than a high GPA, especially for an experienced lab assistant resume. When you bring numbers to the table, the hiring manager may see them as strong evidence for your competencies and job performance.
Example of quantifying results on a microbiology lab assistant resume:
“Process Microbiology cultures, wounds, urines and blood cultures for up to 45 tests per week.”
An objective statement is not a must-have but a plus, especially for new grads, entry-level job seekers, and career changers. It should state your intention and career goals that lead you to apply for the job.
Keep it clear, straight to the point, and brief within one sentence.
Examples of catchy objective statements for lab assistant resume:
📚 Further reading: Career Objective for Resume|Samples, Formats, Writing Guide.
Note that a resume objective and a resume summary are not the same.
A summary statement is normally longer and reveals more about yourself, such as skills, expertise, and accomplishments in the field. If it is well-written, then you would be well-branded and the employer will be motivated to sail into your full lab assistant resume.
3 key elements of a professional resume summary:
Examples of an impressive lab assistant resume summary:
Check out great resume summary examples for 20+ different jobs at Summary for Resume|Examples, Templates, Writing Guide.
For the skills section, you also need to go over the lab assistant job description to write it effectively. The employer is pulling together a complete story about you, hence, make sure all skills are related to the opening job.
Hit the following points when writing lab assistant skills for a resume:
Below are some key skills for a medical lab assistant resume:
Soft skills | Hard skills |
Critical Thinking Communication Skills Attention to Detail Enthusiastic Multitasking | Phlebotomy Process Microbiology & Vital Signs ECG Monitoring & Analysis Quality Assurance Testing First Aid Certified |
Generally, fresh graduates and entry-level job seekers are confused about what resume format to adopt.
Among four types of resume formats (chronological, functional, combination, and targeted), the functional format seems to be a great choice for a lab assistant resume with no experience. Since you have limited or no hands-on experience in the field, greater emphasis should be placed on proving your skills rather than employment history.
You may not have much to say regarding work experience, so go for a career objective instead of a resume summary!
The most effective statement should meet these requirements:
Keep that in mind to fill out this section accurately and include relevant details such as courses completed, GPA (if higher than 3.5 on a 4.0 scale), training programs, etc.
For example:
Seattle Pacific University, WA
Associate’s Degree in Laboratory Science
2011–2013
Do you have more to show that will help your lab assistant resume stand out?
Then go for it! Light up your entry-level lab assistant resume by bringing any certification to the table. Side projects, a personal website, or anything related to the position can also work.
It may sound intimidating to write a laboratory assistant cover letter with no experience.
But it’s worth your effort, if well-written. You get to explain why you are passionate about the lab job, which cannot be shown in the resume.
A cover letter for a lab assistant job will need to cover the following information:
Cake provides the best lab assistant resume templates & examples for talents to demonstrate their qualifications. Let us help you land the dream as a lab assistant job with a strong resume (free download)!
Medical Laboratory Assistant with demonstrated success in performing specialized tests in microbiological analysis
Rita Martha
[email protected]
Mesa, AZ
Quality-focused Medical Lab Assistant with 5 years of experience and solid knowledge of the manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals, including Research, Product Testing, In-Process Control, Production Planning & Development. Adept at performing and recording all in-lab tests and procedures with high responsibility, attention to detail, and work quality.
Medical Lab Assistant, Arizona Emissions Testing Station, AZ
12/2016 - 2/2021
Lab Assistant Intern, University of Arizona: Testing Office, AZ
1/2016 - 7/2016
Soft skills | Hard skills |
Self-Motivated Research & Analytical Skills Problem-Solving Decision-Making Organization Skills | Histological Examinations Sterilization & Disinfection Medical Procedures & Terminology Basic Anatomy Urinary Testing |
Phoenix College, AZ | 2013-2016
Associate’s Degree in Laboratory Science
--- Originally written by May Luong ---
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