Pick a clean template that keeps your lab skills easy to scan. Use a reverse-chronological layout so hiring managers see your recent immunohematology roles first.
Keep it short. One page fits entry and mid-career profiles. Use two pages only if you have long, directly relevant experience and certifications.
Choose ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt for clear hierarchy.
Give sections breathing room with consistent margins and 6–8pt spacing between lines. Use bullet lists and single-column layout for better parsing by software and people.
Label sections with standard headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills, and Laboratory Competencies. Put certifications and licenses near the top if they're required for the role.
Avoid heavy graphics, text boxes, and multi-column designs. They confuse applicant tracking systems and often break when converted to plain text.
Common mistakes include long paragraphs, vague task lists, and inconsistent dates. Use short bullets that show action and result, like validating assays or reducing specimen errors.
Spell out acronyms at first use and list key competencies like antibody identification, crossmatching, and quality control. Tailor keywords from the job posting into your experience bullets.
Proofread for alignment, punctuation, and consistent date formats. That small polish tells employers you pay attention to lab details.