Working for the USPTO

[EchoPlayer]

according to the hiring manager, they had about 1000 applications and are hiring 100 for 8/16 class. the offers will go out starting late next week

Did they say what grade level it was for? Thanks!

[jango]

according to HR, interviews are already being conducted

I appiled for the biomed side...hope it's not too competitive this time.

Same here.

When did you apply? I applied on July 6th.

I did it on 6/26. Supposed to be in the early applicants group but still no update yet.

I applied on 6/23 for the same position. Got an email response today saying I will be interviewed soon and they had me fill out a questionnaire.

[Konquest]

I applied on 6/23 for the same position. Got an email response today saying I will be interviewed soon and they had me fill out a questionnaire.

Good to hear Jango.. I applied a little bit before you and I hope to get an interview soon.

[cherryblue]

this sounds a little too quick for them to be making good decisions.  im wondering if they are reusing older interviews?  for those that have gotten interviews, have you interviewed with the patent office before?

[qdot]

hiring manager told me that they had a meeting yesterday to select people to interview (out of 1000 applications) so the exact date of application didn't seem to matter

[hateresq]

hiring manager told me that they had a meeting yesterday to select people to interview (out of 1000 applications) so the exact date of application didn't seem to matter

I wonder how quickly they went over 1000 applications :shrug

[EchoPlayer]

Well I guess I'll have to wait for their email then..

[qdot]

is there a chance that you won't get an offer once you get an email from HR saying that  SPE would like to consider your application for an upcoming USPTO Patent Training Academy and ask you to fill out employment forms?

[ebubar]

Just joined up and the forum seems to have a lot of good information.  Thought I'd see if there was any insight on my marketability to be an examiner based on my background.  Its a bit useless, as I have a PhD in Physics with research in Astronomy, involving a lot of programming, digital image analysis, etc.  I've been told by current and past examiners that they like to hire physicists as we, allegedly, have a broad skillset.  However, I'm guessing that a B.S. with an EE or CE degree would perhaps be higher placed than my PhD in Physics.  What say you folks?  Any opinions?  Thanks!

[hateresq]

Can someone in the know tell me about my chances w/ a biochem/law degree? I don't have a MS or a PhD, however, I worked in biochem/pharma for about 5 years. 

Thanks in advance.

Edit: I am a practicing attorney at a national law firm, but not in IP law. I will have a PTO registration number soon.

[mk1023]

Just joined up and the forum seems to have a lot of good information.  Thought I'd see if there was any insight on my marketability to be an examiner based on my background.  Its a bit useless, as I have a PhD in Physics with research in Astronomy, involving a lot of programming, digital image analysis, etc.  I've been told by current and past examiners that they like to hire physicists as we, allegedly, have a broad skillset.  However, I'm guessing that a B.S. with an EE or CE degree would perhaps be higher placed than my PhD in Physics.  What say you folks?  Any opinions?  Thanks!

Most of the hiring seems to be EE/CE. You still have a chance, but don't forget that PTO HR are simple folk. They like brightline tests. I'd play down the astronomy stuff and play up everything else. Go through the list of AUs (http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/classification/art/index.jsp) and see which ones you could possibly work in. Maybe include those as an objective in the resume (so HR won't have to think) or at least mention them in an interview if you're able to get one.

[ChiefJRoberts]

Has anyone heard from the PTO about the recent opening? I mean other than a NOR.

[EchoPlayer]

Has anyone heard from the PTO about the recent opening? I mean other than a NOR.

Not yet for me. well when I asked HR last week they said I could still hear from them this week, so I guess the selection process is not completely over?

[hateresq]

mk1023: you have a pm.

[ebubar]

Thanks for the info.  I indeed played down the astronomy and jacked up the more general skills of reading technical documents quickly, generating original ideas, critiquing others work, etc..  I'm guessing I don't stand a great chance without the engineering experience, but we'll see.  Hopefully there will be some additional hiring for physicists in the fall, which should make me more competitive.  I, personally, would be perfectly happy with a career making 70K/year.  Better than I'll be able to do in the current academic job market!