RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Lab Tech Resume Mistakes From Holding You Back
Identify and correct the most common errors to get noticed by hiring managers and ATS.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps laboratory technicians spot and correct resume mistakes that reduce interview chances, ensuring a clean, ATSâfriendly document.
Identify the top 7 resume errors for lab techs
Learn actionable fixes with beforeâandâafter examples
Understand ATS parsing quirks for scientific roles
Get formatting standards specific to lab positions
Access a quickâfix workshop to rewrite key sections
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Vague or generic job titlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers canât gauge your level of responsibility
- ATS may not match industryâspecific keywords
How to fix
- Replace generic titles with precise lab roles (e.g., âClinical Laboratory Technicianâ)
- Add the department or specialization
â Before
Laboratory Assistant
â After
Clinical Laboratory Technician â Hematology
ATS Tip
Include the exact title from the job posting to improve keyword match.
Detection Rules
title contains generic words like assistant, staff, worker
title length < 3 words
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags titles that donât contain key lab terms.
Dutyâfocused bullet pointsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Doesnât demonstrate impact
- ATS looks for quantifiable results
How to fix
- Start bullets with action verbs
- Add metrics (e.g., % increase, number of samples)
â Before
Performed routine blood tests.
â After
Conducted 150+ routine blood analyses daily, reducing turnaround time by 12%.
ATS Tip
Include measurable keywords like âprocessedâ, âreducedâ, âincreasedâ.
Detection Rules
bullets start with verbs like performed, assisted
no numbers present
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights bullets lacking metrics.
Missing lab certificationsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Certifications are often required for compliance
- ATS filters out candidates without them
How to fix
- Create a dedicated Certifications section
- List certifications with issuing body and date
â Before
Skills: PCR, microscopy
â After
Certifications: ASCP Certified Laboratory Technician (2022), OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Training (2023)
ATS Tip
Use exact certification names as they appear in job ads.
Detection Rules
no section named Certifications
no mention of ASCP, CLIA
Resumly Tip
Resumly suggests adding a Certifications block if missing.
Inconsistent or nonâstandard datesLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may misread employment periods
- Hiring managers canât quickly assess tenure
How to fix
- Use MM/YYYY format for all dates
- Keep start and end dates aligned
â Before
Jan 2020 â Present
â After
01/2020 â Present
ATS Tip
Avoid month names; stick to numeric month/year.
Detection Rules
date contains month name
mixed formats
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags any date not matching MM/YYYY.
Including unrelated publicationsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Clutters resume
- ATS may penalize long sections
How to fix
- Only list publications directly related to lab techniques
- Create a separate âSelected Publicationsâ page if needed
â Before
Published 10 papers on marine biology
â After
Selected Publications (relevant): âą âOptimizing PCR for pathogen detectionâ, Journal of Clinical Lab Science, 2021
ATS Tip
Keep the main resume under two pages; link to full list.
Detection Rules
section titled Publications with >3 entries
topics not matching lab tech
Resumly Tip
Resumly recommends moving excess publications to an appendix.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_LabTech_Resume
Consistency
Length: One page for earlyâcareer, two pages max for senior lab technicians
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (optional country)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear professional title
- Quantify achievements
- Include relevant certifications
- Standardize dates to MM/YYYY
- Tailor keywords to the job posting
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
- Save as PDF with proper file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Taleo, Workday, Greenhouse
Keyword Strategy: Include terms like âclinical laboratoryâ, âsample preparationâ, âquality controlâ, âGLPâ, âCGLPâ, âinstrument calibrationâ
Heading Format: Use standard headings such as âProfessional Experienceâ and âCertificationsâ to ensure ATS parses sections correctly.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Lab Technician resume text
- Convert generic titles to specific roles
- Add measurable results to each bullet
- Insert missing certification block
- Standardize all dates
- Trim unrelated publications
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