A resume is a concise, skills-focused document—typically one to two pages—that highlights professional experience, technical competencies, and measurable achievements. In the laboratory field, resumes are most commonly used for clinical, operational, and industry-based roles.
Laboratory professionals who typically use a resume include:
Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT)
Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS/MT)
Clinical Lab Supervisors and Managers
Quality Assurance and Compliance Professionals
Laboratory professionals working in diagnostics, biotech, or industry settings
Resumes should emphasize instrumentation experience, testing complexity, regulatory knowledge (CLIA, CAP, COLA), workflow efficiency, and patient-impact outcomes.
When a CV Is the Better Choice for Lab Professionals
A CV provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of a laboratory professional’s education, research, publications, certifications, and academic contributions. CVs are standard for research-heavy, academic, and advanced scientific roles where depth of expertise is critical.
Laboratory professionals who should use a CV include:
Research Scientists
PhD and post-doctoral laboratory professionals
Academic laboratory faculty or instructors
Clinical researchers and principal investigators
Laboratory professionals applying for grants, fellowships, or academic appointments
CVs typically include sections for research projects, publications, posters, presentations, teaching experience, and professional affiliations.
Degree Level and Career Stage Matter
In laboratory careers, educational background often determines the preferred document:
Associate or Bachelor’s Degree: Resume is typically expected for clinical and operational roles
Master’s Degree with research focus: Resume or CV depending on job type
PhD or MD/DO: CV is almost always required
Many experienced lab professionals maintain both a resume and a CV, selecting the appropriate one based on the role and employer expectations.
Best Practice for Lab Jobseekers
Before applying, review the job posting carefully. Academic and research institutions will explicitly request a CV, while hospitals, reference labs, and diagnostic companies usually prefer a resume.
Final Takeaway
For laboratory professionals, using the correct document is more than a formatting decision—it’s a strategic career move. Aligning your resume or CV with your laboratory specialty, education level, and career goals ensures hiring managers clearly see your value and expertise.
