Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for role-relevant terms and structured data. They rank and filter candidates before a human sees your materials.

For a Crime Lab Technician, ATS looks for technical terms like "DNA extraction", "PCR", "STR analysis", "GC-MS", "mass spectrometry", "forensic serology", "evidence processing", "chain of custody", "microscopy", "AFIS", and certifications like "ASCLD/LAB" or "ISO 17025". Include those exact phrases when they match your experience.

Best practices:

• Use standard section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", "Certifications".
• Place keywords naturally in bullets under job roles and skills.
• Choose plain formatting; avoid tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, and images.
• Use common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman and font sizes 10–12.
• Save as a .docx or simple PDF. Avoid heavily designed templates.

Avoid these mistakes:

Don’t replace required keywords with creative synonyms. ATS may not map them. Don’t hide dates or contact details in headers or footers. Many ATS ignore those regions.

Also, don’t assume general lab skills cover role needs. If job ads ask for "chain of custody" or "PCR", name them exactly. Missing those terms can remove you from the candidate pool.

Pick a clean, professional template that shows your lab experience first. Use a reverse-chronological layout so hiring managers see your recent lab roles and certifications right away. That layout also parses well for ATS.

Keep length tight. One page works if you have under ten years of relevant lab work. Use two pages only if you list many forensic certifications or long casework histories.

Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep margins around 0.5–1 inch and leave white space between sections.

Structure sections with clear headings: Contact, Summary, Technical Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications, and Casework or Publications. List skills like chromatography, DNA extraction, and evidence handling as bullet points.

Avoid heavy visuals, multiple columns, and embedded images. Those can break parsing and confuse recruiters looking for key skills and certifications.

Watch common mistakes: don’t use unusual fonts or complex tables. Don’t cram text to force everything on one page. Don’t label sections with odd names; use standard headings so ATS and people find info fast.

Use consistent spacing and bullet styles. Put dates and job titles in the same place on each role line. Quantify results when you can, like number of case samples processed per week or error rates you reduced.

Writing a tailored cover letter matters for a Crime Lab Technician job. Your letter explains how your skills fit the role and shows real interest beyond your resume.

Keep the structure simple. Use a clear header with your contact details, the hiring manager's name if you have it, and the date.

Opening paragraph

Start strong. State the Crime Lab Technician role you want and the place you found it. Show genuine enthusiasm for the lab or agency. Name one clear qualification that makes you a strong candidate.

Body paragraphs

• Connect your hands-on experience to the job duties. Give one or two specific examples of work you completed in a lab setting.
• Mention technical skills that matter, like DNA extraction or evidence handling. Use one technical term per sentence.
• Highlight soft skills such as attention to detail, teamwork, and clear report writing.
• Quantify your results when possible. State numbers, pass rates, or sample throughput.

Tailor each sentence to the job posting. Use words from the listing so your letter matches the role.

Closing paragraph

Reiterate interest in the Crime Lab Technician position and the specific lab. State confidence in your ability to help the team. Ask for an interview or a short call. Thank the reader for their time.

Tone and tailoring matter. Keep your voice professional, confident, and warm. Write like you speak to a helpful colleague. Use short sentences and active verbs. Edit each letter to match the lab and avoid generic templates.

When you’re ready, share the hiring manager name, the lab or agency name, and your preferred applicant name. I will draft a complete, tailored cover letter for you.

When you apply for a Crime Lab Technician role, small resume errors can cost you interviews. Hiring teams want clear proof you can handle evidence, run tests, and follow procedures. Pay attention to wording, lab skills, and documentation. A careful resume shows you care about accuracy and protocol.

Below are common mistakes crime lab applicants make. Each item shows a bad example and a quick fix you can use right away.

These FAQs and tips help you craft a Crime Lab Technician resume that highlights lab skills, evidence handling, and forensic results. Use them to choose the right format, list technical proficiencies, and present your work clearly to hiring labs and law enforcement.