Lab technicians are the behind-the-scenes professionals whom the rest of the healthcare system relies on. Without the accurate and efficient medical testing performed by lab technicians, doctors wouldn’t be able to diagnose patients and people wouldn’t get the care they need.
Lab technicians need to be alert, focused, and highly knowledgeable of the processes and procedures of the laboratory. They should also have great communication and people skills since they will need to collect samples, hand them off to colleagues, and communicate results to other healthcare providers. An effective lab technician cover letter is the best place to showcase the necessary skills along with a positive personality that makes you a pleasure to work with.
This guide, along with our free lab technician cover letter example, will help you perfect the following aspects of cover letter writing:
- How to choose the best cover letter format and which sections to include
- The best way to address the hiring manager on a lab technician cover letter sample
- Basic mistakes to avoid on your cover letter
- Great formatting for lab technician cover letter samples
For more inspiration, you can always check out our collection of 125+ free cover letter examples!
Best format for a lab technician cover letter
Before you begin drafting your cover letter, it’s a good idea to understand the basic components that will help make your document interesting and easy to follow. The best format for a lab technician cover letter is thankfully quite simple, and we’ll dive into more of the details of each of these pieces in the following chapters.
The format of a lab technician cover letter should contain the following elements:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
Each of these sections serves a distinct and essential purpose on your cover letter. You can find even more information on how to leverage the full potential of each one in our comprehensive cover letter guide.
We’ve also created this free lab technician cover letter sample to show you exactly how you can format your own cover letter. The sample can be easily modified inside of our easy-to-use cover letter builder.
Dear Dr. Nordkillen,
I have worked as a Lab Technician in laboratories involved in the testing and certification of chemicals and pharmaceuticals for the past seven years, and the position at NovaTest blends my clinical experience with my interest in regulatory developments.
I am an ASCP-certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) with an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology from Hickley College. I am a regular attendee of all the major medical technician conferences and represented my previous company MedTech at the PharmaCert symposium, speaking about CLIA-compliance in a testing laboratory setting.
My ability to grasp complex procedures and refine critical processes allowed me to redesign and simplify 100+ laboratory operating procedures into a unified document, which I then updated on a quarterly basis alongside a small clinical team. Our formulation batch testing and raw materials handling processes were overhauled, and our laboratory became a teaching environment for national apprentices.
My technical experience includes:
- Collecting and processing samples in line with clinical procedures
- Documenting test results, ensuring 100% data accuracy in EMR systems
- Procuring, operating, and maintaining 150+ types of lab equipment
- Writing new operating procedures and training new members of staff
My work is characterized by an unfailing level of accuracy, coupled with a sense of urgency that is uncommon among lab technicians. When you get quicker and more accurate results, you have the time to further explore the conclusions.
The impact of your work at NovaTest reaches into many branches of medical practice that are close to my heart and I would be delighted to have the opportunity of discussing both my personal and professional motivations at a potential interview.
Sincerely,
Heather Silksmith
While this lab technician cover letter sample can help you perfect your own application, you may also want to check out these related medical cover letter examples:
- Medical Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Pharmacist Cover Letter Sample
- Physical Therapist Cover Letter Sample
- Medical Receptionist Cover Letter Sample
- Dental Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Occupational Therapy Cover Letter Sample
- Pharmacy Technician Cover Letter Sample
- Pharmacy Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- CNA Cover Letter Sample
- Healthcare Cover Letter Sample
- Medical Cover Letter Sample
- Physician Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) Cover Letter Sample
- Doctor Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Phlebotomist Cover Letter Sample
Cover letter header
The header of your cover letter serves a very important purpose in identifying your document and making sure the hiring manager can find your contact information if they want to schedule an interview. Make sure to keep the header limited to only the necessary information which will save precious space for the rest of your convincing cover letter.
The aim of the cover letter header: Make sure a hiring manager knows who wrote the cover letter and how to get in touch with you and create attractive formatting that draws attention to your application.
Your header is likely the only place you’ll be able to add a splash of color or another design element to the page. Since lab assistants work in the formal field of medicine, take care to create a professional image that conveys a serious attitude towards the job. That doesn’t mean that color is off-limits, however. Even a subdued color palette can go a long way in creating an attractive presentation.
Cover letter greeting
Your cover letter greeting is your first chance to speak directly to the hiring manager or the letter recipient. Unlike other industries, lab assistants should stick with more traditional greetings so as not to come across as too familiar in a formal field. “Dear” followed by the hiring manager or lab manager’s correct salutation and last name is the best option in almost all cases.
The aim of the cover letter greeting: Address the cover letter recipient by name to create a friendly tone and personal connection.
What if I don’t know the hiring manager’s name?
While using the hiring manager’s name is the best way to show your interest in the position, there are times when it’s simply not an option. If you’re applying to a large healthcare company or hospital system, there is likely a central team of HR staff who will review your application. In this case, it’s best to use a collective greeting like “Dear Hiring Team” or even “Dear (Hospital Name) Family” if appropriate for the branding. These are often better options than the impersonal and outdated “To Whom It May Concern.”
Cover letter introduction
Your cover letter won’t be effective if you can’t first get the hiring manager to read it! That’s why the first 1-2 sentences (known as the introduction) are some of the most important lines of your entire cover letter. You’ll want to convey interest in the position and enthusiasm about the work of a lab technician while still maintaining a professional tone. Some ways to begin include a personal statement, explication of your motivations, a short anecdote or interesting fact or statistic.
The aim of the cover letter introduction: Attract the hiring manager’s interest and encourage them to continue reading your cover letter by offering an interesting anecdote, fact, or statistic.
Dear Dr. Nordkillen,
I have worked as a Lab Technician in laboratories involved in the testing and certification of chemicals and pharmaceuticals for the past seven years, and the position at NovaTest blends my clinical experience with my interest in regulatory developments.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle part of your cover letter (also called the body) is the place where you can finally expand on all your relevant experience and skills. Make sure to choose examples of situations that you’re likely to face in your desired new position. The STAR method can help you create concrete anecdotes. First, describe the Situation and the Task required of you, then explain your Action and the positive Result you achieved. Keep each story to just a few sentences so that your cover letter flows smoothly.
The aim of the cover letter body: Offer details from your work experience to convince a hiring manager that you have the right skills and attitude for their opening, use the STAR method to create short anecdotes.
When discussing your previous achievements, offer concrete facts and figures to paint a clearer picture of your achievements. Some potential sources of numbers: the size of the lab, number of patients seen in a day, or number of samples collected in an average week.
I am an ASCP-certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) with an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology from Hickley College. I am a regular attendee of all the major medical technician conferences and represented my previous company MedTech at the PharmaCert symposium, speaking about CLIA-compliance in a testing laboratory setting.
My ability to grasp complex procedures and refine critical processes allowed me to redesign and simplify 100+ laboratory operating procedures into a unified document, which I then updated on a quarterly basis alongside a small clinical team. Our formulation batch testing and raw materials handling processes were overhauled, and our laboratory became a teaching environment for national apprentices.
My technical experience includes:
- Collecting and processing samples in line with clinical procedures
- Documenting test results, ensuring 100% data accuracy in EMR systems
- Procuring, operating, and maintaining 150+ types of lab equipment
- Writing new operating procedures and training new members of staff
My work is characterized by an unfailing level of accuracy, coupled with a sense of urgency that is uncommon among lab technicians. When you get quicker and more accurate results, you have the time to further explore the conclusions.
How to close a lab technician cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Breathe easy – the hard work is behind you! To close your lab technician cover letter, you’ll simply need to create a Call to Action. This sentence professionally expresses your interest in the position and invites a hiring manager to contact you without sounding pushy or entitled to an interview. Then, sign off using a formal signature like “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”
The aim of the cover letter conclusion: Create an effective Call to Action while preserving a respectful tone and sign off with a polite signature.
The impact of your work at NovaTest reaches into many branches of medical practice that are close to my heart and I would be delighted to have the opportunity of discussing both my personal and professional motivations at a potential interview.
Sincerely,
Heather Silksmith
Writing psychology: use your cover letter to tell a professional story
As a lab technician, your job is about making sure the same processes are repeated correctly to ensure accurate results. While there are some general guidelines for cover letter writing, it’s hardly as rigid as working in a lab. While you might be tempted to squeeze in anything and everything about your professional experience in order to impress the hiring manager, by taking a few moments to write creatively and with passion, you can create a cover letter that quickly surpasses the other candidates’.
Your resume is a great place for the hard facts of your employment history, leaving you with more flexibility while writing your cover letter. One of the best ways to approach cover letter writing is as if you were writing the story of your professional journey. Explain to a hiring manager where and when you developed your interest in lab work. What do you love about your job? What are your strengths? Whether it’s patient care or the more technical side of things, make sure your cover letter conveys enthusiasm for the job you do.
Storytelling is one of the most powerful psychological writing techniques you can use on your cover letter. According to the Harvard Business Review, a well-written story makes people more empathetic and generous – the exact response you want to elicit from the hiring manager.
Basic mistakes in a lab technician application letter (and how to avoid them)
By avoiding a few basic errors while writing your cover letter, you can quickly surpass many other candidates and prove yourself worthy of the interview. Here’s what to look out for:
- Spelling and grammar mistakes: It might sound obvious, but typos and poor sentence structure are some of the biggest errors that could lead to a hiring manager passing on your application. Ask a friend to proofread your application or use an automatic spell checker like the one found in our cover letter builder before you submit your cover letter.
- Generic cover letters: While most of your duties will remain consistent from one lab to another, that doesn’t mean you should submit the same cover letter to every opening. Take a few minutes to tailor it to the needs of the particular employer to increase your chances of making a great first impression.
- Poor formatting: While your cover letter layout doesn’t need to be fancy, it should still be attractive and polished. Make sure to use consistent font styles and sizes along with a professional header. Our collection of free cover letter templates can help make formatting a breeze.
How long should my cover letter be?
One of the most visible mistakes applicants make is writing a cover letter that’s either too short, or more commonly, way too long. As a general rule, an effective cover letter should stay within 200-400 words. Your cover letter should never exceed one page and should contain a healthy balance of white space to text in order to maximize readability.
Key takeaways
- A great cover letter can go a long way in making your application stand out among other lab technicians with similar skills and experience. Take the time to craft yours with care.
- By creating an attractive and professional header, you can show a hiring manager that you’re serious about the position.
- Address the hiring manager by name whenever possible to create a personal connection and friendly tone.
- Catch a hiring manager’s attention by sharing your professional story, taking care to convey your passion and enthusiasm for the role.
- Keep your cover letter short and sweet (one page max) so as not to lose the reader’s attention.
