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[+12]

What?  The car allowance can only be used on BMWs?  Better call up HR and demand that they widen the choices to Porsches and Maseratis.  There's really no point in working for an employer who only gives you a BMW.

[Vanilla Ice]

I'll take that as a no, but thanks for the laugh. I would only accept the BMW if it came with heated seats, LOL

[mk1023]

Senior management have blackberries I believe. So you need to work your way up to get a free phone.

[smrunner99]

Did anyone receive an email today from the PTO about the job status?  I applied for GS 7 and 9.  I received the email about a month ago, but received a new one today.  Both gave the status of Qualified and referred to selecting official.  Does anyone know as to why they would send this out after it seems offers have already been made? 

[kjw5029]

Did anyone receive an email today from the PTO about the job status?  I applied for GS 7 and 9.  I received the email about a month ago, but received a new one today.  Both gave the status of Qualified and referred to selecting official.  Does anyone know as to why they would send this out after it seems offers have already been made? 

This is just my thought.  I know a handful of people with pretty variable start dates for some reason.   Seems like many people are starting this month, but I've personally spoken with others starting in May and June.  I guess it's possible your status changed for a different start date.  If I were you, I would call the hiring contact and see what's going on.

[slapsgiving]

Did anyone receive an email today from the PTO about the job status?  I applied for GS 7 and 9.  I received the email about a month ago, but received a new one today.  Both gave the status of Qualified and referred to selecting official.  Does anyone know as to why they would send this out after it seems offers have already been made? 

While the job may be listed as one posting, you're effectively applying for two positions, GS-7 & GS-9. Others have mentioned that HR treats these like two separate applications. That may be the reason for the seemingly duplicate emails. Are the email notifications identical or do they state either of the two grades separately?
Regardless, best of luck.

[IsolatedSystem]

I donno about others, but I'm so excited to finally get started. I can't wait for the 12th to get here.

Does anyone out there know anything about TC1700 besides the information that is publicly and easily available?

[RagingBeauty]

I donno about others, but I'm so excited to finally get started. I can't wait for the 12th to get here.

Does anyone out there know anything about TC1700 besides the information that is publicly and easily available?

As a fellow chemistry hirer with a lot of biomedical & pharmaceutical experience, my preference is Tech Center 1600 after PTA. Regarding Tech Center 1700, the only thing I heard from other chemistry patent examiners is that meeting production quotas in that tech center is a little harder, overall, than TC 1600. Of course there are exceptions to this statement which are dependent upon the art unit along with many other factors.

Oh yeah, I'm ready as well even though I hate to leave my current research position.   Better pay, flexibility, & job security at the USPTO. No more damn research grants/funding! 

[rg171352]

I've lurked on the jobs portion of this site forever and just discovered this thread.  I am an ME with a JD and the patent bar.  I had an interview in Alexandria exactly one month ago.  The interview seemed to go well, in fact At the end of the interview the interviewers asked when I could start.  I have heard nothing back.  How does this process work?  I've called the office a couple of times to hear it could take 3-4 weeks for an answer.  Should I be worried at this point?

Thanks
rg171352

[blaze1306]

I've lurked on the jobs portion of this site forever and just discovered this thread.  I am an ME with a JD and the patent bar.  I had an interview in Alexandria exactly one month ago.  The interview seemed to go well, in fact At the end of the interview the interviewers asked when I could start.  I have heard nothing back.  How does this process work?  I've called the office a couple of times to hear it could take 3-4 weeks for an answer.  Should I be worried at this point?

Thanks
rg171352

There is no rhyme or reason for who gets picked up and who does not. I have seen wellqualified people with art specific experience and volunteer work with the PTO not be considered. It is all a matter of what you get graded at and if you can get a SPE to choose you for his art unit. Good Luck. JD and Patent Bar is suppose to be a plus, but you never know. Keep checking your status on USAJOBS, some people have mention there status has changed to selected before they got an offer email or call.

[kjw5029]

I've lurked on the jobs portion of this site forever and just discovered this thread.  I am an ME with a JD and the patent bar.  I had an interview in Alexandria exactly one month ago.  The interview seemed to go well, in fact At the end of the interview the interviewers asked when I could start.  I have heard nothing back.  How does this process work?  I've called the office a couple of times to hear it could take 3-4 weeks for an answer.  Should I be worried at this point?

Thanks
rg171352

I interviewed back in January and got an offer about 6 weeks later.  I wouldn't be too worried at this point.  The process seems to take a very long time.

[PTO_New_Hire]

I'm a former Examiner, looking for a room near the patent office starting in early April. If anyone needs a new roommate, let me know.

[RagingBeauty]

FYI: To applicants that applied for Patent Examiner Biomedical Engineering GS 7/9 positions, check your status via USAJobs. Many BME candidates reported receiving a "selected" notification. Good Luck! 

[plex]

Similar situation as GuitarGuy, looking for advice/feedback on my current situation.

Stats:

EE with GPA between 2.95 and 3.4, JD with ok'ish but not great GPA, near the opening Detroit office, 9 months ME patent prosecution experience, 2 months Chem patent litigation experience, 4 years automotive experience that was a mix of EE/ME/CE type work.

Application History:

EE GS11 - 7/20 app (min req. not met) (this one was weird since I know I met them and filled it out right)
EE GS07+09 - 11/02 app (referred, interview, not selected first in 07 then at the last minute not referred in 09)
CE+EE GS11 - 12/22 app (referred EE, not referred CE, heard nothing about EE nor seen a status change in a very long time)
ME+CE+EE GS07+09 - 1/02 app (referred ME, referred EE, CE lost my transcripts and needed a re-send then referred, heard nothing nor seen a status change in a very long time)
ME+EE GS11 (Detroit) - 2/27 app (deadline for apps isn't until 3/30, I am going to the info session on 3/24, I also had my resume referred to an examiner handling Detroit applications, got an immediate request to send pre-interview forms).

I would be happy with an offer at any level, I want a job in the patent field very badly, and think the work style required by the USPTO fits my working habits really well, so I would also be happy with it, though it would be quite tough starting at GS11, more so than I would enjoy.

My two questions are:

Should I get an update on my DC GS 7/9/11 applications that have been sitting in referred and sitting for 8-10 weeks?  Has anyone heard any news for EE's since the last late Dec hiring decision?  (I have checked here and the Examjournal blog, lots of updates for other disciplines but EE seems dead in terms of information)

Is there anything I can ask or say to my contact for the Detroit office that would help my situation, and not just bug him?

[blaze1306]

I am in the Detroit area but according to the registration page the PTO office is only interested in engineering people right now.