Education and career opportunities

NLO offered Ravi a one-year study programme, after his studies in commercial economics. Going back to school was quite tough for him. And to be honest, not all the courses in the Formalities Officer training were as exciting. But overall, it provided a good basis for his daily work.

"After 12 years, NLO still stimulates me to develop and grow. My team leader regularly encourages me to attend different courses, such as a seminar at the EPO in Munich. I could also go on to become Formalities Officer Flex or Supervisor. That isn't an option for me right now, in combination with my private life, but it might appeal to me later."

Don't you find the work as Formalities Officer a bit bookish?

"No, with a capital N!" Ravi feels very much at home in his profession. There's nothing bookish about his job. No day is the same and the work is never dull. One of the things he likes most is having contact with many different parties: clients, agents, official institutions and NLO colleagues. Supporting patent attorneys gives Ravi a lot of responsibility - the client is trusting NLO with their patents on inventions:

"You don't want to miss the deadlines for patents on innovations and inventions! This responsibility also provides a positive pressure. I need to be alert and really consider what I do for which client. And I have to do so every day, that's what makes my work so exciting."

Another thing I love is having expertise as a Formalities Officer. At some patent offices, you also do work relating to renewals and recordals. At NLO, we have separate departments for that, each with their own expertise. I like to use my colleagues as a sounding board if I'm not sure about something to do with renewals or about how best to register a registration in a new country."

Top three reasons for working at NLO:

1. "Great colleagues! My wife sometimes asks me why I like like working at NLO so much. One of the reasons I work here is that I have the best colleagues, with a lot of humour. I know almost everyone in the company. By nature, I'm interested in my colleagues and what's happening in their lives. A good bond with them directly contributes to my enjoyment at work and NLO gives me a chance to form one. Besides chatting at the coffee machine and a regular walk during our lunch breaks, there are extra projects you can work on with colleagues in various work groups. In this way, you get to know other colleagues. There's not much of a hierarchy here. The MT and the partners are directly accessible, which is something I like about this corporate culture."
    
2. If you have a proactive and enterprising attitude, NLO is a great place for you, with scope for your own development and initiatives. You are given the freedom and trust to explore and take on more complex cases. Appreciation and congratulations are expressed - another bonus of working at NLO.
    
3. “There are many extras that I experience as a bonus at NLO. I mentioned the internal projects, but we also have very good terms of employment. And outings and drinks are regularly organised.”