|
|
Author |
Topic: Working for the USPTO (Read 449538 times) |
|
Jazz
Guest
|
 |
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #231 on: Feb 7th, 2006, 1:18pm » |
 Quote  Modify
 Remove
|
I'll be working at the USPTO soon so I'm looking for place to live. All of the places that I find on apartments.com or rent.com are rated low on apartmentratings.com. Most of the comments state that the neighborhood is bad and there is a gang problem. Does anybody here know any good place to live that don't cost alot and that are safe? Is it safter to live outside of Alexandria and commute everyday?-
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
Guest
Guest
|
|
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #232 on: Feb 11th, 2006, 6:46pm » |
Quote Modify
Remove
|
My roomate recently introduced me to this board, and I figured I'd share a few of my thoughts on the PTO.
I was started in June 05 and have mostly positive things to say so far. The job atmosphere is pretty chill. I only see my supervisor a few times a week, so as long as you are getting your work done its all good. One gripe I have is that during my interview, a pay scale was shown to me, with several increasing salaries underlined. I was told at 6 months you'll be making this, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years this this and this. Sounded like guaranteed raises. Maybe I was naive, but those raises are stricly based on your production. Production can be a pain, if you're a person that worries a lot, you might have to change or you could burn out easily. The new 8 month training program sounds both good and bad. I don't know enough about it yet to offer any good opinions though. The "work at home" program is starting up now for 'higher ups' so this is something that could be a good thing in the future.
As far as living arrangements, check out http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/ , the housing section is really helpful. I decided on a townhouse i found on craigslist for 1600/month, that i split w/ a roomate. A little pricey, but well worth it compared to the size/quality/environment that i've seen at a few apartment complexes in the area. I would suggest if possible, take a day to visit all prospective places here first.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
guest
Guest
|
|
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #233 on: Feb 12th, 2006, 2:13pm » |
Quote Modify
Remove
|
What do you mean by production can be a pain? Is it very possible to meet the production quotas by working the standard 40 hours a week? I usually stress out over things, and I'm scared when you say that burning out is possible. I'm expecting to work there later this year and hope that by I can hit the quota without stressing myself out. What's your take on that? How do you think the other examiners feel about the work and pay advances?
Thanks
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
guest
Guest
|
|
Re: Working for the USPTO
« Reply #234 on: Feb 12th, 2006, 5:15pm » |
Quote Modify
Remove
|
I understand that the promotions are performance based, but I'd just like to gauge how much time must be spent in order to reach each of the quotas. Let's say a GS14 has a high production quota, do you think that he/she might have to put in a lot of hours over 40hrs a week in order to reach that quota? Or is 40 hrs a week sufficient to reach the higher production quota given his/her experience at the USPTO?
I'm guess what I'm trying to do is to determine whether I can expect to work no more than 40 hours a week while advancing up the GS levels. If I make it to a GS14, can I still expect to work no more than 40/week? The answer may be based on each individual and his/her efficiency, but on average do most patent examiners have to work more than 40hrs assuming they're gunning for the next promotion?
BTW I really appreciate all of the knowledge on this board, especially when it comes to information about working at the USPTO. There doesn't seem to be many other places where I can find so much information, short of calling up an actual patent examiner and interrogating them.
Thanks
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
Forums
Help
Search
Members
Calendar
Login
Register
Reply
Send Topic
Print
