Resume guide · Job Zone 4

Biological Techniciansresume guide.

Assist biological and medical scientists. A strong Biological Technicians resume shows reading comprehension, active listening and critical thinking, and names the tools you have worked with, such as SAS, Microsoft Access and Adobe Photoshop.

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01Also called

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Biological Science Lab Tech (Biological Science Laboratory Technician)Biological Science Technician (Biological Science Tech)Biologist AideBiologist Technician (Biologist Tech)Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech)Fisheries Biological Technician (Fisheries Biological Tech)Marine Fisheries Technician (Marine Fisheries Tech)Microbiology Technician (Microbiology Tech)Research AssistantResearch Associate

02Skills employers expect

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Importance is how much the skill matters to the job; level is how much of it the job demands. Both are worth naming on the resume, in this order.

SkillImportanceLevel
Reading ComprehensionVery highAdvanced
Active ListeningHighAdvanced
Critical ThinkingHighAdvanced
ScienceHighIntermediate
Active LearningHighIntermediate
WritingHighIntermediate
MonitoringHighIntermediate
SpeakingHighIntermediate
Complex Problem SolvingHighIntermediate
Judgment and Decision MakingHighIntermediate

03Knowledge areas

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  • Biology
  • English Language
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Administrative
  • Education and Training
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Customer and Personal Service

04Common responsibilities

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Ordered by importance. Each one is a bullet waiting for a result and a number.

  1. Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
  2. Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
  3. Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
  4. Input data into databases.
  5. Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
  6. Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
  7. Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
  8. Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
  9. Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
  10. Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.

05Software and tools

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33 tools across 13 categories. The six largest categories are below; Hot marks a hot technology, In demand a tool employers ask for most often.

Analytical or scientific software14
  • SASHotIn demand
  • Statistical softwareIn demand
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Systat Software SigmaPlot
  • ClustalW
  • Gene Codes Sequencher
  • Primer3
  • BD Biosciences CellQuest
  • Phrap
  • Phred
  • BoxShade
  • Gene Runner
  • PolyBayes
  • Systat Software TableCurve
+ 9 more
Data base user interface and query software3
Graphics or photo imaging software3
Geographic information system2
Office suite software2
Spreadsheet software2
Development environment software1
  • Microsoft .NET FrameworkHotIn demand
Document management software1
Electronic mail software1
Map creation software1
  • MapInfo MapMarker
Presentation software1
Project management software1
Word processing software1

06Education and preparation

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Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
63% of surveyed workers. Others report High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (14%) and Some College Courses (14%).
Preparation level
Job Zone 4 · Considerable preparation
Usually a four-year degree and several years of related experience.

07Putting it on your resume

ResumeXRays guidance
BEE · How to show it

Lead with what you built. For a Job Zone 4 role, hiring managers and parsers both look for outcomes before credentials. Put two or three results at the top of each job entry, with the scale or effect stated plainly.

Name the tools exactly. This occupation is heavy on named software. A skills section that says "SAS, Microsoft Access, Adobe Photoshop, ESRI ArcGIS software" matches more job descriptions than a general phrase. Use the spelling employers use.

Show active listening and critical thinking, not just reading comprehension. Active listening and critical thinking rank close to reading comprehension for this occupation. One bullet per role that shows a decision, a tradeoff or a result covers them.

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