How to Write a Laboratory Manager Resume (With Example)

Updated 31 May 2023

Laboratory managers help coordinate the efficient functioning of a laboratory. When you apply for a laboratory manager job, quickly impressing a potential employer can improve your chances of success. Understanding how to write an effective resume can help you achieve this. In this article, we describe what a laboratory manager resume is, outline how to write one, list key skills you may wish to highlight, offer some resume writing tips and provide a template and example resume to use as reference when creating your own.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

What is a laboratory manager resume?

A laboratory manager resume is a professional document that shows your suitability for a laboratory manager role to prospective employers. Effectively showing a recruiter your experience and competencies helps to demonstrate how you might add value to their organisation. This can be key to making a memorable first impression.

Laboratory managers work across a variety of sectors. They work to oversee the safe and smooth running of a laboratory environment. Employers might look for specific abilities and experiences from the laboratory managers they recruit. Your resume is typically your first opportunity to show prospective employers you have all the attributes they're looking for and a proven record of professional success.

How to write a laboratory manager resume

Consider following these steps to write an effective resume when applying for a laboratory manager role:

1. Establish the resume's structure

Well-organised information makes it simpler to draw the reader's attention to any important details you wish to highlight. Doing this can help you quickly impress a recruiter, improving the chances of them shortlisting your application for further consideration.

The specific layout of your resume might vary depending on your personal design preferences, but there are some structural elements featured in effective resumes. Begin by making sure you prominently display your name and contact details, possibly in a header or side margin. This lets a recruiter easily find how to contact you with follow-up queries or an invitation to interview. Order the rest of your resume's details into sections with sensible headings, such as Skills, Experience, and Education.

2. Go through your previous employment

Beginning with your current or most recent role and working backwards, list your employment experience. For each job, include your job title, the name of your employer and the dates you worked in the role. Include a bullet-point list of your main responsibilities. Try to highlight any ways your work measurably added value or any accomplishments you had in the role.

This resume section can effectively showcase your suitability to a potential employer by demonstrating how you've effectively applied your knowledge and skills in a workplace setting. Be mindful of the attributes an employer most values for their vacancy. Perhaps they're looking for a lab manager with experience ensuring quality compliance for laboratory operations in a specific industry. Ensure you include examples that show how you've done this in previous jobs.

Find laboratory manager jobs

3. List your skills, education and relevant certifications

List relevant technical and non-technical competencies under a separate skills section to further showcase your abilities. Relevant lab manager skills might include leadership and problem-solving, for example. Under further headings, list your academic training and relevant industry certifications. For university qualifications, include the name of your degree and the university you attended. For relevant certifications, such as project management qualifications, list the certification's name, the awarding body and the year you obtained it.

4. Include a professional summary

Although this is typically the first section of your resume, consider leaving it as the last thing you write. This short impact statement briefly summarises your strengths as a candidate. In a few sentences, provide details of your professional experience, current responsibilities and any notable accomplishments. This opening paragraph gives a recruiter an immediate understanding of your selling points and why to recruit you. It might include statements like:

skilled laboratory manager with over 5 years of clinical experience
strong problem-solver
highly knowledgeable of healthcare infrastructure

As you compile the rest of your resume, reviewing your experience and training, you get a better understanding of the key details you might wish to highlight. Once you've decided on these, then craft an impactful opening summary.

What are the laboratory manager skills to highlight on a resume?

Laboratory managers typically have a mix of hard and soft skills that allow them to be effective in their roles. These specific competencies can vary depending on the industry they work in. For example, laboratory managers working in the pharmaceutical industry might rely on knowledge of specific laboratory techniques that managers in other fields might not require. Some skills are useful in all laboratory management roles, though. Effective laboratory managers tend to have excellent communication skills, for example, to ensure they can properly provide instructions to colleagues. Other useful skills include:

budgeting skills
organisation
people management
leadership
problem-solving
knowledge of relevant health and safety procedures
project management.

Resume template for a laboratory manager

Here's a template detailing the key elements to include in a resume to help you when drafting your own:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State or Territory]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight your years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

(For the most recent role, list 5 experience items. For previous roles, list 3.)

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State or Territory]

(strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[job duty]
[job duty]
[job duty]
[job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State or Territory]

(strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[job duty]
[job duty]

Education
[Degree and Major] | [Name of School or University]

Certifications (optional)
[Certification Name], [Host Organisation] – [Year completed or expiration date]

Example resume for a laboratory manager

Here's an example of a resume someone might use when pursuing a laboratory manager position:

Isabel Woods, Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) (02) 5550 5678 | i.woods@email.com.au | Byron Bay, NSW

Professional Summary
Dynamic laboratory manager with over five years of experience managing a diverse portfolio of projects. I'm highly effective at building relationships and liaising with external contractors. I spearheaded a recent tender exercise that significantly boosted the efficiency of our laboratory output.

Experience

Laboratory Manager | June 2019–Current
Char Pharma | Sydney, NSW

implemented new supply chain relationships that improved the efficiency of laboratory operations by 35%
review and overhaul laboratory protocols for compliance and effectiveness regularly
conduct post-project reviews to identify areas for improvement in laboratory operations
oversee recruitment and training of new laboratory personnel
ensure full compliance of laboratory staff with all health and safety guidelines

Laboratory Manager | January 2016–May 2019
Ziko Cosmetics | Byron Bay, NSW

created an inventory management system for the laboratory that improved the efficiency of laboratory operations
managed project budgets
conducted disciplinary proceedings for the laboratory team, if required

Education
Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) | Bay University

Certifications
Laboratory Quality Management, Laboratory Practitioner's CPD Institute – 2017

The model shown above is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.

Resume writing tips

Here are some tips that can help improve the overall quality of your resume writing:

Be mindful of formatting

Your resume's presentation can inform a recruiter's opinion of you. Keeping consistent with aspects like formatting and font size can help show employers you have excellent attention to detail and pride in your work. Maintain continuity in the formatting between your resume and cover letter as well. This consistency helps boost the readability of your overall application, making it easier for you to bring the reader's attention to any key details you want to showcase. Also, be certain to proofread your application thoroughly, ensuring you correct any spelling or grammar errors before submitting it.

Make your resume specific

Tailor your resume to each role you apply for to improve your chances of success. Review the job description for the position thoroughly to understand the responsibilities of the specific role and the attributes an employer values most from a candidate. Amend your template resume to ensure you have examples showing you possess all these desired traits and experiences.

Consider also matching the language on your resume to the wording the employer uses in the job description. Perhaps also take time to research the organisation to learn about its culture. Try to use your resume to showcase how you can fit well with this culture by showing how you've collaborated with others.