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[smrunner99]

My interview was similiar.  Very basic non technical questions.  More about how you approach critism, heavy work load and having discussions with those who have different ways of doing things. 

My interviewer made it seem as if the job was there for me, but I dont think this is so.  Does anyone out there know what the odds are of getting hired after an interview are. 

The rumor seems to be thousands apply, many are qualified, less are forwarding to a selecting official and even less are interviewed.  So is it something like 25 spots are open and they interviewed 30 people or 25 spots are open and they interviewed 250 people. 

I have a feeling this also changes for each round of applications. 

[blaze1306]

My interview was similiar.  Very basic non technical questions.  More about how you approach critism, heavy work load and having discussions with those who have different ways of doing things. 

My interviewer made it seem as if the job was there for me, but I dont think this is so.  Does anyone out there know what the odds are of getting hired after an interview are. 

The rumor seems to be thousands apply, many are qualified, less are forwarding to a selecting official and even less are interviewed.  So is it something like 25 spots are open and they interviewed 30 people or 25 spots are open and they interviewed 250 people. 

I have a feeling this also changes for each round of applications.

I was given the impression that the hiring rate was around 65-85 percent of those interviewed were selected.

[verty]

Did they ask you guys about patent laws or process/practices?

[smrunner99]

The only 1 question out of the interview that was close to being patent law related was: could I explain the role of a patent examiner

[verty]

My interview was similiar.  Very basic non technical questions.  More about how you approach critism, heavy work load and having discussions with those who have different ways of doing things. 

My interviewer made it seem as if the job was there for me, but I dont think this is so.  Does anyone out there know what the odds are of getting hired after an interview are. 

The rumor seems to be thousands apply, many are qualified, less are forwarding to a selecting official and even less are interviewed.  So is it something like 25 spots are open and they interviewed 30 people or 25 spots are open and they interviewed 250 people. 

I have a feeling this also changes for each round of applications.

I was given the impression that the hiring rate was around 65-85 percent of those interviewed were selected.

Where did you get this idea/information from?  Just curious.

[blaze1306]

My interview was similiar.  Very basic non technical questions.  More about how you approach critism, heavy work load and having discussions with those who have different ways of doing things. 

My interviewer made it seem as if the job was there for me, but I dont think this is so.  Does anyone out there know what the odds are of getting hired after an interview are. 

The rumor seems to be thousands apply, many are qualified, less are forwarding to a selecting official and even less are interviewed.  So is it something like 25 spots are open and they interviewed 30 people or 25 spots are open and they interviewed 250 people. 

I have a feeling this also changes for each round of applications.

I was given the impression that the hiring rate was around 65-85 percent of those interviewed were selected.

Where did you get this idea/information from?  Just curious.

It has been awhile but I remember the percentage estimation from this site and a former SPE who work for the PTO years ago

[IsolatedSystem]

My interview for grade 9 is today and got referred for grade 7 this morning.

Also got referred for grade 7 this morning. I *think* this means we all "passed" the interview and now it's just a matter of some SPE deciding whether they want/need you or not. That's just speculation.

In my interview I was asked what I knew about the patent office and what an examiner does. Questions about how I handle deadlines, workloads, interacting with a supervisor, and criticism. I was asked about a time where I wrote something particularly persuasive, and had a ready answer. No technical questions. This interview occurred in February (and is the interview they are using for this application).

[verty]

Just did my interview and it went really well.

[r0lf3cbn]

This may be a stupid question. Is there any age limit to be a patent examiner?

From what it says at opm.gov it looks like you could get hired at 16, assuming you've got a bachelor's degree in science or engineering. It's not a physically demanding job, so I would be surprised if it had a maximum age.

[blaze1306]

This 30-45 day to wait and hear something is going to Kill me!!!

[lukertin]

This may be a stupid question. Is there any age limit to be a patent examiner?

Are you serious? You are aware the federal government is prohibited from discriminating against you on the basis of age, right?

[blaze1306]

Tomorrow it will have been 30 days since my interview. Still no word.

[mk1023]

No more lunch loop effective Friday. 

[verty]

Tomorrow it will have been 30 days since my interview. Still no word.

Just checked the other forum and some people have posted that they received notifications (not selected) from the PTO.  One guy posted and said that he contacted the PTO and was told he was rejected because he did not have a Ph.D. and looks like they are even getting picky with degrees at GS-7 and GS-9.

[penny13]

What other forum were you checking?  And are the rejections coming by snail mail or email?  Thanks for any info!