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How to List Patents on a Resume

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How to List Patents on a Resum...
Make your patents the signature of your professional story—let them lead your resume.
Pub: 3/9/2022
Upd: 11/11/2024
6 min read

Got a patent?

It’s the ultimate badge of innovation!

A patent on a resume tells recruiters you’re not just someone who follows the rules. You're someone who creates them. Whether your patent is changing industries or shaking up everyday life, it’s time to show employers you’re not just another candidate—you’re a game-changer.

But how do you highlight it to make sure it gets the attention it deserves? Let’s break down how to underline your patent and showcase the creativity and know-how behind it.

What is a patent?

A patent is a document that gives the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, and sell an invention for a certain number of years. It protects the design from being copied or used by someone else without permission. It’s different from a trademark because trademarks generally focus on specific words and phrases, while patents focus on the making and selling of products.

While patents secure the rights to innovations, trademarks protect the words, logos, and symbols that make a brand recognizable. Here you can read more about the differences between these two forms of intellectual property protection.

Listing a patent on your resume can significantly elevate your profile and show the hiring manager that you’re an innovative thinker who can turn ideas into tangible, protected inventions.

Ensure your patent gets the recognition it deserves. Start from scratch and create a compelling resume with our builder or check your existing one with Enhancv’s free resume checker.

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You might be wondering how to list the patent on your resume—well, we’ll show you in the section below.

pro tip icon
2023 Patent Surge

According to Statista in the fiscal year of 2023, a total number of 346,152 patents were granted in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This is an increase from 2000 when 182,218 patents were issued.

How do I list patents on my resume?

Whether your patent relates to a technical solution, product design, or a unique process, properly displaying it on your resume will set you apart from other candidates.

It’s crucial to provide the right details while keeping the focus on the impact and relevance of the patent to your career or the role you’re targeting.

Here's how you can list a patent effectively:

Add as many details as possible about the patent

The most important thing about citing your patent is giving enough information on your resume for the recruiter to check and confirm that it indeed belongs to you.

You don't need to go into too much detail, but make sure to list:

  • The patent number
  • What the patent is for
  • When it was filed
  • Where it was filed
  • Name of the creator
  • Type of invention
  • Month and year you earned the patent

If you have a published patent available online, you can provide a link to it on your resume.

Here's an example:

Water-Powered Automotive Engine Technology

Patent No.: US 1,234,567

Issued: January 2024

Description: Developed a groundbreaking engine that utilizes water as a primary fuel source, introducing a new method for energy conversion that reduces carbon emissions and improves fuel efficiency. This innovation represents a significant step forward in sustainable automotive technology.

Role: Led the conceptualization and technical development, oversaw prototype testing, and collaborated with the legal team throughout the patent application process to secure IP rights for this eco-friendly engine design.

Highlighting a patent for a water-powered engine shows your technical expertise, innovative thinking, and ability to lead a project from concept to completion. It also reflects your commitment to sustainable technology, making you a strong fit for roles focused on cutting-edge, eco-friendly solutions.

Match your patent with a role in your experience section

Simply listing the patent may not be enough. It would be best to match it with a previous position and mention it in the description.

For example, suppose you have a patent for a new car engine, and you previously worked as an engineer at a car company. In that case, you can mention the patent in your experience section.

This will show the employer that you have experience in this field and are qualified for the position.

Here's an example:

Engineer at XYZ Car

Use an achievements section to highlight patents

An "Achievements" section is where your resume can truly shine and draw attention to your significant accomplishments beyond the typical job duties.

It’s the perfect place to underscore patents. It adds an extra layer of credibility, turning your resume into more than just a list of roles. It's a story of impact and invention. We advise you to let your achievements speak for themselves.

Here's what the "Achievements" section in our resume builder looks like:

Achievements
Patented a new car engine that runs on water
Developed and patented an innovative car engine powered by water, reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency.
RIGHT

Now that you’ve learned how to list your patents, let’s dive into how to format them for maximum impact on your resume.

How to choose the right format for a patent on your resume

When listing a patent on your resume, clarity, brevity, and readability take precedence over formal citation styles like APA, which are rarely applied in resumes. Instead, resumes often favor a Simplified Format that emphasizes easy readability and quick comprehension.

However, if the job ad specifies a required citation style, follow it closely. Below, we’ll cover some of the most common styles:

  • Business and Marketing: APA is a widely recognized and straightforward choice for these industries, offering a clean and professional presentation.
  • Tech and Engineering: Lean towards the APA style. It’s concise and focuses on dates and authorship, crucial for recent innovations and collaborations.
  • Medical and Sciences: The APA style is often preferred since these fields frequently publish in journals that use these formats, emphasizing technical details and innovation.
  • Education and Psychology: The APA style is predominant in education and psychology, with a focus on clear documentation of dates and authorship. It's ideal for patents related to educational tools or cognitive development techniques.
  • Humanities and Arts: The MLA style is more common in these fields, where the focus is on authorship, a key aspect of creative and design-based patents.
  • Law and Intellectual Property: The Bluebook citation style is standard in the legal field, especially for intellectual property law. It’s detailed and formal, perfect for precisely documenting patents in legal resumes and court cases.
  • Finance and Economics: The Chicago citation style is often used in finance and economics. Its versatility makes it suitable for patents related to financial systems or economic innovations.
  • Agriculture and Environmental Sciences: The CSE style is common in agriculture and environmental science. This style is best for patents related to agricultural technology or sustainability innovations.

Formatting styles

Here are examples of commonly used formats for citing patents on a resume:

APA (American Psychological Association) Style
  • Format: Inventor's Last Name, Initials. (Year issued). Title of patent. U.S. Patent No. XXX,XXX. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  • Example: Smith, J. A. (2020). Device for harvesting solar energy. U.S. Patent No. 8,123,456. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
  • Format: Inventor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Patent." U.S. Patent No. XXX,XXX. Day Month Year Issued.
  • Example: Smith, John A. "Device for harvesting solar energy." U.S. Patent No. 8,123,456. 10 Jan. 2020.
Bluebook Style
  • Format: Inventor's Last Name, First Name. Title of Patent, U.S. Patent No. XXX,XXX (issued Year).
  • Example: Smith, John A. Device for harvesting solar energy, U.S. Patent No. 8,123,456 (issued 2020).
Chicago Style
  • Format: Inventor's Last Name, First Name. Year Issued. "Title of Patent." U.S. Patent XXX,XXX, issued Month Day, Year.
  • Example: Smith, John A. 2020. "Device for harvesting solar energy." U.S. Patent 8,123,456, issued January 10, 2020.
CSE (Council of Science Editors) Style
  • Format: Inventor’s Last Name, First Initial. Title of patent. U.S. Patent No. XXX,XXX. Date Issued.
  • Example: Smith JA. Device for harvesting solar energy. U.S. Patent No. 8,123,456. 2020 Jan 10.

Can I put a pending patent on my resume

Yes, you absolutely can include a pending patent on your resume! In fact, listing a pending patent can be a great way to prove your innovation and commitment to seeing a project through. However, it's important to indicate to employers that the patent is in progress and that you’ve taken legal steps to protect your intellectual property.

Template for a pending patent

Here’s a simple template to help you list a pending patent on your resume:

Patent Title

Patent Pending Number: [Insert application number or state “Application Submitted” if no number is available yet]

Status: Patent Pending

Issue Date: [Expected or Submission Date]

Description: [Briefly describe the invention, its purpose, and its impact, ideally in one or two sentences]

Where to put a patent on a resume

If the patent is a central part of your professional identity or is closely tied to the role you're seeking, giving it a prominent placement on your resume is essential.

We’ve already mentioned that creating a dedicated “Achievements” section for your patent is a smart move, but it’s not the only option. There are other ways to feature your patent on your resume, depending on how it aligns with your job application.

Below, we’ll explore a few more approaches that you can consider.

Summary or objective statement

One option is to feature your patent in the resume summary or objective statement. To keep it engaging and clear, avoid using technical jargon or complex terms that could confuse the reader. Instead, focus on simple language to explain the core features and benefits of your invention.

Summary
Mechanical engineer with 15+ years of experience and a patented water-powered car engine that significantly reduces emissions and improves fuel efficiency by 25%. Known for driving innovation in automotive technology, streamlining engineering processes, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable solutions. A major career milestone includes successfully developing and patenting the engine, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental impact. Highly regarded for taking initiative, problem-solving under pressure, and delivering top-tier results in fast-paced environments.
RIGHT

Work experience section

If the patent is directly related to a job or role you held, include it as a bullet point under the relevant job description in your work experience section. This outlines how your work led to innovation within the company.

Professional Experience
Mechanical Engineer
GreenTech Motors
Detroit, MI
  • Developed and patented a groundbreaking water-powered car engine, drastically reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency.
  • Patent Title: Water-Powered Car Engine (Patent Pending No. US9876543B2).
  • Led a cross-disciplinary team in the design, prototyping, and testing of the engine, delivering the project within 18 months.
  • Optimized the engine's fuel system, reducing energy consumption by 25% while enhancing overall vehicle performance.
  • Recognized by upper management for contributions to sustainable automotive technology and awarded Innovation of the Year.
RIGHT

Awards section

The awards section of a resume is a great place to showcase any special recognitions or accomplishments that highlight your expertise and contributions. This resume part is ideal for listing patents if they’ve received particular recognition or if they stand out as a significant career achievement.

Awards
Innovation of the Year
Awarded for the development of a water-powered car engine that reduces emissions and increases fuel efficiency by 25%.
RIGHT

When listing patents on your resume, it's key to adjust their placement based on the format. Let’s dive into how to do that effectively.

How to tailor your patents to different resume types

There are three main resume formats, and it’s important to tailor how you present your patents to fit each one. Adjusting the placement ensures your patents align with the format and stand out in the best way possible.

  • In a reverse chronological resume, the focus is on your career progression. Patents can be written under the work experience section, tied to the roles where they were developed.
  • A functional resume underlines your skills and core competencies, so patents should be placed under the skill section. This format emphasizes what you can do rather than when or where you did it.
  • With a hybrid resume, you can list patents in both the work experience and skills sections. You might also choose to create a separate section after the skills area if the patent is a major career highlight.

In conclusion

After reading this article, you shouldn’t doubt that having a patent on your resume looks impressive. It not only underscores your technical skills but also sets you apart as a forward-thinking professional. Whether directly related to the job or not, it adds significant value and can leave a lasting impact on employers.

Make your move!
Your resume is an extension of yourself.
Make one that's truly you.
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Lidia Yordanova
Lidia Yordanova is an SEO Writer & Editor at Enhancv. She has a strong background in marketing, which helps her give useful tips on underlining candidates' best qualities and making their resumes eye-catching. Lidia has written over 50 resume guides for many different jobs. Her drive to help people find the right job inspires her writing. She aims to do more than help with resumes by inspiring people to pursue bigger goals and personal growth.
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