Expert: Oleg Khokhlov - 3/29/2005

Question
Dear Oleg,

I run into problem that my patenting work in former USSR is evaluated here at the clerk's level. I know, that  here, patent specialist is more of a legal background, whereas in former USSR he or she was part of engineering personnel and participated directly with everybody else involved in the development of new products and technological processes.

I indicated in my resume that aside of just submiting  claims for inventions (like american specialists do) upon receiving technical assignments I  researched any relevant documents for finding new technical decisions, prepared  patent documentation containing recommendations for the choice of  analogs and prototypes of required components and instruments for the designers, which was  indispensable part of designers documentation for a prospective inventions. This is a highly technical work, not just clerk's job.

My question to you is, how can I prove that my work in USSR was of engineering and not of clerical nature, and that without my technical participation (even before submitting claims to Moscow's Institute of Patent Expertise) no  project could be accomplished on each stage of the assignment?

Thank you very much for your advice!

Lyudmila.  

Answer
Dear Lyudmila,

From a pure legal perspective, I would recommend to request the "dolzhnostnaja instrukcija" for your position from your USSR job, if possible, and make a notarised translation as attachement to your resume. You can also obtain a reference letter from your previous USSR employer with a notarised translation. The reference letters from the inventors whom you assisted may be helpful.

Also, your formal education background may help you, if you were graduated from a reputable technical faculty.

On the other hand, I doubt this will materially change your job perspective, because in this case prejudices are stronger than any proof of expertise.

You can also suggest to hire you for some trial period to show your real skills. I would suggest to describe what you can do for an exact company. Try to research what a particular company is doing and describe your "action plan" in some attachement to CV, like "my first 90 days with company X"

I would also recommend to find companies with some ex-USSR/Russian staff that could explain to the decision-makers specifics of your position in USSR.

Goodluck,
Oleg.