Lab Tech Jobs Tips

Even though the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports faster-than-average job growth for lab technicians, that doesn’t mean it’s not tricky to land a job. Fortunately, there are a few creative strategies that can help you secure an interview.

Try sending your resume on a different color of paper. Stay away from bland colors like cream or white. Instead, use a high-quality, light gray textured paper or other professional alternative. This will set your resume apart and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Use advertising strategies to land an interview. When applying to lab tech jobs, increase your exposure to potential employers. Send a resume through email and postal mail and follow up with a phone call. This will boost your exposure to hiring managers for laboratory technician jobs.

Deliver your lab technician resume in person. This will tell the hiring manager that you’re proactive and eager to discuss the lab tech job.

Do you spend more time shopping for a computer than hiring a lab technician? If so, then you might want to take a peek at common mistakes companies make when hiring these professionals. Keep in mind that hiring the wrong person adds up to wasted time and money.

Create a lab tech job advertisement that attracts your target audience. Before you start screening applicants, create a profile of what the ideal candidate should look like. Also, include a line in the ad that discourages those who don’t meet minimum requirements from applying. This should weed out unqualified applicants.

Discuss laboratory technician work performance goals with candidates. Make sure to discuss specific skills that the individual needs in the interview. For example, have a conversation about cell culture or molecular biology and see if they can keep up.

Discuss the expectations for hours. When applying for lab technician jobs, applicants should agree to the hours up front, as some lab technicians need to be on call or work hours that aren’t traditional.

Consider seeking assistance from a niche staffing agency. Sometimes, medical facilities and labs are simply too busy to screen applicants. In these cases, consider hiring a niche staffing agency like Delta Pharma that specializes in locating talented lab technicians.

Whether you just graduated from college or have several years of experience, it’s important to know what you’re worth. Negotiating your salary will ensure that you get the best compensation package available.

According to a national salary trend provided by Indeed.com, the salary you earn will depend on which lab tech job you choose. For example, a clinical laboratory technician earns an average of $52,000 annually, while a biological science laboratory technician can expect to earn about $46,000. Those working as medical lab technicians can expect to earn $30,000 annually.

How much you earn will also depend on where you work. For example, pharmaceutical and biotech positions are often higher-paying, while manufacturing positions pay less.

And finally, remember to consider your experience level. If you’ve held lab technician jobs for several years, then your compensation should be higher. On the other hand, if you just graduated from college, then you may earn less.

According to the American Society of Clinical Pathology, nearly 44 percent of clinical laboratories are having difficulties recruiting and retaining laboratory personnel. If your lab is facing this challenge, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are a few tips you can use to boost your retention percentage and decrease the help wanted ads for lab tech employment.

The first step in retaining your lab technicians is understanding what motivates your employees. Sometimes, it’s monetary incentives or personal recognition. Take a survey of your department to find out.

If monetary incentives motivate your lab techs, get approval for small rewards for a job well done. This could be a gift card for dinner or coffee – whatever fits your budget.

Always provide personal recognition of employees. If a lab tech solves a problem for the department or does something special, call it out at a department meeting. Also, you can take the employee out for a special lunch to honor his or her accomplishment.

The result of retaining employees is fewer turnovers in lab technician jobs. Lab tech careers will also feel more fulfilling to employees, boosting job satisfaction levels.

A lab tech career provides many opportunities for advancement. Some require additional education, while others simply require on-the-job experience. Read on to learn tips for advancing your lab technician career.

One avenue for advancement is becoming a clinical laboratory technologist manager in a hospital or other medical organization. This typically requires several years of professional experience and internal training courses.

Lab techs can also choose to cross over into product development, marketing, or sales. To locate these positions, target manufactures of home diagnostic testing products and laboratory equipment.

If you’re willing to complete more education, you may qualify to become a laboratory directory. Federal regulations typically require these individuals to hold a master’s or doctoral degree.

Also, consider talking with a niche staffing firm. Companies like Delta Pharma can partner with you to discuss what opportunities are available.

Many lab techs are nervous about negotiating salary because they're afraid that employers will change their mind about offering positions. The reality is that those who negotiate their salaries have better chances of earning more. Here are a few tips for negotiating salary for laboratory tech jobs.

The first step in negotiating your salary is researching salary ranges. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, a laboratory technologist can expect to earn $34,660-$69,260. Having this information will back up your request for a higher compensation package.

Understand which segments pay more. Typically, the federal government pays the most, while medical and diagnostic laboratories are a close second. Lower wages are found at hospitals, physician's offices, colleges, and universities.

Seek assistance from a niche staffing firm. Contacting a staffing firm like Delta Pharma can help you find a lab tech job that fits your salary requirements. Plus, since they have relationships established with medical organizations, you’ll be a step closer to getting your foot in the door.

There are many benefits to becoming a lab tech, including a generous salary and rewarding career. But before you take the plunge into this career, here are a few tips.

The first order of business for starting a lab tech career is enrolling in a program. Most lab tech jobs require individuals to have an associate’s degree from a community college or trade school. When choosing a program, compare the costs carefully, as there’s often a noticeable difference between programs.

Also, check career placement statistics to ensure that, once you graduate, you’ll have the college’s support in finding lab tech employment.

Boost the attractiveness of your resume by joining professional organizations such as the American Medical Technologists or The National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel.

Once you’re ready to search for laboratory technician work, make it easy on yourself. Register with a staffing firm that specializes in placing laboratory technologists like Delta Pharma. This will allow you to be matched with employers who are actively looking for laboratory technicians.

In most cases, a resume has the power to secure an interview for lab tech jobs. That’s why it’s important to ensure that your resume will stand out from the competition. Here are a few tips for writing your lab technician resume.

Don’t wait until the end of your resume to include your most important accomplishments. For example, if you came up with a solution that saved your lab money, list this accomplishment in the first quarter of the page.

Avoid grammatical mistakes. You probably know that your resume should be proofed, but have you done it yet? If the answer is no, here’s a good reason to ask a friend or co-worker to take a look: If a company advertising a lab tech job finds misspellings or typos, then your resume will likely be thrown out, which equals wasted time and effort.

Also, if you belong to professional organizations like the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, don’t forget to list them. This will show your employer that you’re involved in your professional community.

When creating a lab technician resume, consider seeking the help of a staffing firm. Companies like Delta Pharma specialize in connecting qualified lab technicians with employers. Plus, they can take a look at your resume and make sure it’s up to par.

When searching for clinical lab tech jobs, it’s important to think outside of mainstream job resources. Positions advertised on large job search sites can get hundreds and even thousands of applicants.

• Check out staffing firms. The first step in finding lab tech jobs is to contact a staffing firm like Delta Pharma that specializes in the medical industry. Niche staffing firms have already established relationships with employers seeking lab techs, which means that you’re one step closer to getting your foot in the door.

• Network with professional contacts and acquaintances. This is your opportunity to land unadvertised positions. Talk with previous co-workers and ask if their companies are hiring.

• Tap into social networking. If you have a LinkedIn page, it’s time to send out a message to your professional network. Many job seekers land lab tech jobs quickly using this strategy.

• Post your resume on niche job sites. Sites like Sciencejobs.org, Monster, and CareerBuilder allow you to post your resume and apply to jobs online.

• Contact your college’s career department. Many lab technicians think that, once they graduate, they can’t use their college career services department. Many colleges have career placement programs that extended past graduation.

There are times when your company is too busy or doesn’t have the internal resources for recruiting lab technicians. If you’re in this position, using a staffing firm can lighten the load. Here are a few tips to consider when hiring a staffing firm.

When selecting a staffing firm to fill lab technician jobs, it’s important to select a company that specializes in laboratory staffing. Experts in this niche will understand the unique challenges that your company faces.

In addition, a staffing firm will pre-screen applicants for your lab tech job. That means that you’ll only be talking with the most talented pool of applicants and saving time and money.

Also, make sure to choose a company that has established a position in the marketplace. For example, staffing firms like Delta Pharma specialize in clinical staffing solutions and have some of the most talented professionals in the industry.