Why might you list a patent in a resume?
You might list a patent on your resume to demonstrate your commitment to the field. It can show the employer that you’ve contemplated how to benefit others with a new creation, which may make you eligible for your desired role. For example, if you’re pursuing a career in the technology industry, including a patent for your invention on your resume can display your ability to build a new product with unique features. You can also differentiate your credentials from competing candidates seeking the same job.
How to list a patent in a resume
Follow these steps to incorporate your patent in the content of your resume:
1. Collect details about your patent
It’s important to know specific details about your patent to cite it correctly on your resume. The hiring manager may use the information to confirm that you invented the product that you listed. You may find the specifics of your patent by visiting the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As you proofread your resume before submitting it, review the citation to ensure accuracy, including correct spelling and proper figures. Information you may need for your citation includes:
- Type of invention
- Name of the creator
- Application number, which you receive when you pursue the patent
- Application date, which indicates when you applied for the patent
- Patent number, which you learn after you receive the patent
- Month and year you earned the patent
Related: How To Turn Your Invention Idea Into a Product (With Tips)
2. Match the patent with a previous role
Perhaps your patent aligns with a moment in your employment history. Consider listing your patent within the same subheading as the job where it’s relevant. For example, you might list the record of a data encryption software in a description of your role as a cybersecurity analyst. Including your patent in your work experience section may be beneficial if you’ve made one contribution to the field. You can also save space on your resume and show the employer how your invention enhanced your performance as an employee.
3. Dedicate a separate section to your patents
If you’ve made several inventions throughout your career, then contemplate creating a separate section on your resume titled “patents.” The hiring manager can view your designs in one place, and the extent of the section can illustrate your commitment to advancing technology or developing new systems. You can include patents that have yet to receive approval, which can show that you take initiative, and patents you’ve already secured, which can display your professional accomplishments.
Think about the role you’re seeking to determine where to place your patents category. For instance, if the employer emphasizes candidates inventing new things, then it might be helpful to list your designs at the top of your resume to capture the reader’s attention. If patents are not requirements for your job but can still impress the recruiter, then consider attaching them beneath your skills section to maintain the spotlight on your relevant qualifications. Use consistent formatting, including the size of the font and the typeface, to ensure the recruiter can skim the content of your resume easily.
Related: How To Become a Patent Attorney in 6 Steps
Template for a pending patent
Use the following template to indicate your inventions with patents where you’re awaiting approval:
[Last name, first name of the professional who created the product originally]. [The year you pursued the patent]. [The name of the creation]. [The application number], filed [The exact date you submitted the application]. Patent pending.
Template for an approved patent
Here’s a template for how to describe an invention with a patent you’ve already gained:
[Last name, first name of the professional who created the product originally]. [The year you received the patent]. [The name of the creation]. [Patent number], filed [exact date you pursued the patent], [exact date you received the patent].
Examples of listing patents on a resume
The following are sample citations for patents you can use as guides:
Underneath your resume objective
If your patents are the most important parts of your coveted role, then think about implementing a patents section beneath your resume objective, which appears at the top of your resume:
Susan Parker
(318) 752-8351
sparker@email.com
Professional summary
Committed and organized professional with five years in security administration. Created a facial recognition software that confirmed that reduced the risks of external threats by 15%. Seeking a mid-level security engineer role with Johnson Tech Agency.
Patents
Parker, Susan. 2020. Code inspection documentation tool. U.S. Patent 6,135,476, filed June 3, 2020. Patent pending.
Parker, Susan. 2018. Facial recognition software for employee exit and entry. U.S. Patent 6,135,476, filed May 12, 2018, and issued September 15, 2019.
Related: Intangible Assets: Definitions and Examples
Within your work experience
Here’s an abbreviated sample resume that shows you how to include the citation with a previous job that matches it:
Work experience
Graphic designer
Ashton Company LLC, Chicago, Illinois
June 2016–Present
- Develop a comprehensive style guide for all marketing materials
- Collaborate with marketing coordinator and director to strategize visual content
- Ensure social media graphics fit the dimensions of diverse platforms
- Uphold brand consistency across all designs
- Waller, Darius. 2019. Graphic design, photo editing and video editing application with interactive templates. U.S. Patent 2,643,876, filed July 25, 2019. Patent pending.
Underneath your skills
Use this portion of an example resume to learn how to place your patent section at the bottom of the document:
Skills
- Fashion design, Textiles, Color theory, Sewing, Sketching, Business management, Leadership, Communication
Patents
Murphy, Tatum. 2021. Mechanical color pencil compatible with paper and electronic screens. U.S. Patent 4,222,374, filed December 12, 2020. Patent pending.
Murphy, Tatum. 2015. Sewing machine with a touch and display screen to showcase blueprints of the design. U.S. Patent 5,775,432, filed January 23, 2005, and issued January 6, 2007.
