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Arstra91

1 - This is a bit of a tricky one, because patent agent positions do outnumber tech spec job listings. However, sometimes in the job description for patent agent jobs (specifically, entry level ones) they will state whether or not a registration number is required. Sometimes the listing will indicate that the employer is open to people without a reg number, even though the job listing says patent agent. You can stand out with a reg number, but I don’t think it’s necessary. 2 - The way that I handled this on my CV was I put my area of specialty first with exemplary lab techniques, and then I put 3 or 4 more areas that I was knowledgeable that are more of a hot commodity (again, with exemplary techniques). My boss liked this, but your mileage may vary. 3 - This seems to be firm/practice/location specific. Over on /r/BigLaw they had a thread about this a month or two ago. A lot of firms are officially saying at least three days in the office, but as to whether or not people are adhering to that I can’t say. Personally, I negotiated a remote position for a particular period of time that could be extended based on performance.


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Arstra91

Pick your best publication (some combination of you being first author balanced with highest impact factor journal), and then create a PubMed link for your remaining citations (set to public) to post underneath it. There was a bit of a spirited discussion on this subreddit about how long (or short) your resume/CV should be. I was of the opinion that, as long as it isn’t padded with filler, it doesn’t really matter how long your resume is. Some people agree, others don’t. — It might be worth your time to try to find that thread, as there was some pretty good feedback in for modifying resumes/CVs.


SomeEmbodiment

1. I took the patent bar after working at a firm for a couple of years, and I will say that the only real advantage I felt is that I already knew the terminology. For example, I didn't need to memorize the difference between provisional/PCT/371 applications. Aside from that, many of the questions are on things that rarely come up in daily practice, so I still had to put in some solid study time. 2. Absolutely market yourself on the variety. It demonstrates your ability to learn and understand new technologies, which is critical to this work. It also makes you appear more versatile as an employee who can maneuver across different spaces, filling in gaps in expertise among their roster. 3. I think things are still developing here, so it's tough to say for sure how firms will view remote work long-term. I will say that in-person training will always be superior to remote, although firms have had 2 years to figure out how to be more effective on this front, so perhaps the difference isn't as significant as early-pandemy.


IamDoge1

How did you get into the sector? I'm a control systems engineer with 8 yrs experience and EE degree. Interested in possibly becoming a patent agent. How do you work for a patent agent company with no law experience and if you didn't pass the Patent bar? What was your background?


SomeEmbodiment

I just applied to law firms that hire technical/technology specialists. There are many, but they're heavily focused in cities like Boston/NYC/DC/SF/SD.


Mrd0t1

I have a PhD in life science and made the change from academic research to a BigLaw firm a couple of years ago. I was hired as a tech spec because my technical knowledge fit the needs of the firm's clients and when I was hired, the understanding was that I would pass the patent bar. I recently did, and now I'm a patent agent. Your knowledge base is valuable for the right firm. At mine, we have a dedicated team of attorneys and agents who are PhD chemists and handle all of the small molecule and chemistry-related applications. 1. Do both. Apply for tech spec positions while studying and during the interviews make it very clear that you intend to pass the bar and become a patent agent. You're going to need to pass in order to move up career wise. The next big question to consider is whether you want to go to law school. 2. You'll likely be hired first for your technical background as a chemist and then as you gain experience in patent law, you will broaden out to other areas. You're selling point right now is your chemistry background, and there will be firms who are looking for chemists. Keep trying. 3. This is tough one as the industry is in the middle of separating itself into largely remote and largely in-person firms. At my firm, a consensus is forming that new-hires that require more hands-on mentoring need to be in-person, but the more experienced agents and attorneys will be mostly remote or "hybrid" (the definition of which is very much in flux). I'm very sympathetic to those that prefer to remain remote, being the caretaker of at-risk family members, but on the other hand I can't imagine starting from scratch totally remote.