| While general rules for preparing a resume also | | | | People tend to skim resumes instead of read |
| apply to those in the IP field, there are some | | | | them word-for-word. During an initial review, the |
| basic additions that can help you create a great | | | | HR Director may only consider the headers and |
| patent resume. | | | | first few lines before deciding which resumes to |
| Mention the USPTO…. | | | | allow into the second round. |
| …and other international patent offices. Are you | | | | Instead of putting a summary at the top, include |
| registered? What kind of interactions have you | | | | a short list of accomplishments. Summaries tend |
| had directly with the USPTO or other foreign | | | | to use generic, unspecified language while a short, |
| patent offices? Be specific about frequency and | | | | bulleted list of accomplishments gets specific right |
| type of interaction. Instead of “coordinated | | | | away. You can list accomplishments out of |
| with the CIPO on international search reports,” | | | | chronological order at the top and then re-insert |
| say “spoke weekly with managers at the | | | | them in the appropriate places throughout the |
| Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) | | | | rest of the resume. |
| regarding international search reports (ISRs).” | | | | Pay attention to the basics.. |
| Don’t assume the resume reviewer knows | | | | …of writing, layout and design. One of the |
| Intellectual Property (IP) lingo…. | | | | biggest mistakes in IP resumes is assuming writing |
| The HR Director is a human resources specialist, | | | | doesn’t matter as much as technical |
| not an engineer! Avoid using very specific jargon | | | | experience. That’s not true! Excellent |
| in your field without an explanation. Make sure to | | | | non-technical writing and grammar are important |
| write out the long version of the abbreviation the | | | | because it they will give you a leg up on your |
| first time it is written in the resume. Instead of | | | | competition. |
| “EE,” use “Electrical Engineering | | | | Bolding, bulleted lists and proper spacing all invite |
| (EE).” That abbreviation in the parenthesis | | | | the reader to spend more time on the document |
| indicates to your reader that you will use the | | | | and can even give the reviewer a feel for your |
| designation “EE” for the rest of your | | | | personality. A tightly organized resume indicates |
| resume. | | | | that you are a tightly organized person. A clear, |
| Be specific… | | | | readable resume with no spelling mistakes tells the |
| ..as often as you can. | | | | reviewer you are easy to understand and pay |
| Instead of “performed patent research and | | | | attention to detail. Avoid long paragraphs and full |
| analysis in a wide variety of fields,” write | | | | sentences…they aren’t easy to organize or |
| “performed patent research and analysis for | | | | read. Bullet your lists. Use liberal spacing between |
| mechanical (electromechanical, surgical instruments, | | | | chunks of information. |
| engine design technology) and electrical (integrated | | | | A few extra dos and don’ts…. |
| circuits, telecommunications) fields.” | | | | • Skip long lists of class info, but do include |
| Instead of using a header that says | | | | degree specializations. |
| “Experienced Patent Agent” write | | | | • Do include the databases you are familiar |
| “Registered Mechanical Patent Agent for 12 | | | | with searching/using. |
| years.” Registered, 12 and Mechanical are | | | | • Do list relevant associations and |
| important keywords and allow the HR Director to | | | | memberships. |
| classify your CV more easily. | | | | • Don’t list basic computer skills or |
| Weight your content… | | | | software like Microsoft Office, but do list all |
| …just like a newspaper article. The first few lines | | | | relevant complex software proficiencies. |
| are the most crucial for keywords and ideas. | | | | • Don’t list positions non-related to the IP |
| Bolded headers should be weighted strongly as | | | | field unless you’ve played significant |
| well. Put your biggest accomplishments and | | | | managerial roles. |
| strongest skills into the headers and initial bullet | | | | • Skip an executive summary and instead list |
| listings. | | | | your top 4-6 accomplishments at the top. |