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[guest]

Unless I can find a roommate I guess I will just suck up the extra cost, learn more about the area and re-evaluate when my lease is up next fall.  Good luck moving in and starting at the office. What technology group will you be joining.  I will be in some mechanical group but my supervisor still hasnt called me back! Its probably too early for him to worry about me since I wont be there til Sept. Oh well. Thanks for all of the input.

[DCbound]

Good luck to you too! I'll be in the Computer Science division - databases in particular.

My contacts with the USPTO in getting my final paperwork in order has been great. Everybody has been really nice and helpful. I was joking around with my supervisors during the interview process a bit and am looking forward to starting work. I'm making the change from software to law over the next 5 years - i could get a job programming fairly easily in D.C. i think, but am looking for something new.

Going to drive across the country in September, our little U-haul trailer in tow, making a little pre-work vacation of it...

[guest]

I'm just coming from Texas and I'm dreading the half cross country trek! I'll be working in shoes/special receptacles...good luck deciding what that means...

Everyone I have talked to has been really nice as well, but I have a feeling my interview went a little differently.  I was supposed to get a 20 min pre-screen ph call and then a ph call from a supervisor if there was any interest once my resume was passed around....well the 20 mins turned into over 2hrs!  2 weeks later I got a call and was offered a job! But after I received all of my paperwork and relocation info it has been pretty quiet....

As far as your transition from CS to law...I'm sure you will be fine (but busy)...I actually have my law degree so if you have any questions feel free to ask jdhawk05@hotmail.com

[guest]

I heard the PTO has a workout facility that employees can use if they sign up for a membership. Is this true? If so, how is the facility?  I also heard there is a cafeteria there.  Apparently the government is doing this in it's new buildings in an effort to attract and retain highly qualified people that would otherwise make their homes/careers in private industry.  Anyone care to comment? Thanks.

[Isaac]

I found the workout facility to be adequate and quite a bargain,
but I only used the weight lifting area.  I would come in before
work or use time during lunch to work out.  Now that I've left
the PTO, I haven't found any schedule anywhere near as convenient.

[guest]

IC

Did you feel that the patent office prepared you well for work outside the office?

[2S]

The "Fitness Center" is very nice (especially compared to the old one in Crystal City). I would say that it is comparable to a Bally's or WSC (Washington Sports Club). There are many classes and the equipment is new (or newer).

The cafeteria is nice and comparable to other new office building cafeterias......

Overall the facilities are top notch.

[DCbound]

Is this "Fitness Center" just for employees or can spouses use it also? My wife was asking me about that today...

TIA

[Isaac]

IC

Did you feel that the patent office prepared you well for work outside the office?

I took a while to respond to this because I did not have a ready
answer.  I think the experience I gained at the patent office was
invaluable.  It also helped me to land my current job.  However
people get entry level associate jobs with no experience, and I
did have some experience as a drafting applications before working
at the patent office.   I've been able to get a quick start at the
firm, and I've already drafted one application which was within the
same art area I examined at the patent office.

I should also point out that I stayed at the PTO for only slightly
more than 1 year.  I think 2-3 years of experience is useful, and
I think the return diminishes after that, but 1 year of experience
probably is less than optimum.

[C. M.]

I applied to the USPTO about two weeks ago and received an email about an interview.  

The problem I have is that I am not graduating until December (PhD) and did not expect to receive anything until later this year since I cannot start at their Dec start date.  I live in Baton Rouge, LA and me being a student, the approx. $400 plane ticket is not something that is easy for me to handle.  

This may sound crazy but is there anyway that I could maybe defer the interview until the next hiring phase so that it would be closer to my graduation date which would give me a chance to look at all my options more thoroughly without hurting my chances of being hired at the USPTO?  Thanks for the advice.

[larkas]

C.M.,

I also applied to the USPTO about 2 weeks ago and I have not heard anything so consider yourself lucky.

Think about going anyway. Getting a job takes time and money. I know the trip seems costly but there are ways to reduce it.

A quick search on kayak.com shows that the flights from BTR to BWI should run you closer to $200 roundtrip, depending of course on how soon the interview is and how long you are planning to stay. There is a bus connection from BWI to the Metro system. You can learn more about it:

http://www.bwiairport.com/ground_transportation/washington_dc__wmata_/

BWI is much cheaper than DCA or IAD, the official DC airports.

[C.M.]

I think its my nerves....   I dont really do well on flights...i tend to get airsick.    

But thanks for the info...thats good to know.

[guest]

I actually had my pre-screen (1st interview over the phone) as well as my second and they hired me.  So if you can show that you cannot easily make it to DC for the interview I am sure they can accomodate you at least for the 1st one (and the fact they only took 2 weeks to get back to you means they may be more willing to talk over the phone), but like the previous poster said I would do whatever it takes to get that offer in your hands so that in december its a viable option instead of being lost in the mix with thousands of other applications.  Good Luck.

[C.M.]

Well, I accepted the interview.  Thanks larkas for the flight info....I was not aware of that website.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice about the interview...like what kind of questions they ask, what kind of questions should I ask?

I intend to research what goes into being a patent agent and what I can expect (I know the basics but wanted to learn more of the specifics)  

Also, I know it is a casual work environment but I was still going to wear a suit....anyone have any insight on wardrobe selection?  

Thanks a lot for all the help.  

[Noob817]

Hey C.M,
You can't go wrong with a suit.  I had my second interview a couple of weeks ago (offer letter coming soon, according to HR) and I went dressed in a suit.  The second interview is just mainly getting to know your supervisor and the job.  So don't worry too much, but always be prepared to answer any in-depth technical questions (I didn't get asked any though).
Good Luck!
Anyone have any opinions on living at the Meridian at Carlyle?