Working for the USPTO

[ChiefJRoberts]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but does getting an interview mean you have a really good shot at getting the job?

[LLCoolJ]

My friend got an interview a few months back for the gs-11 - the interview went really well - but he never heard from them again.

[LLCoolJ]

So, I applied for the gs-07/gs-09 CE position mid july (because that's when I found out about it), got my NORs email 7/21 but no word since. 

I see from the posts here that people have gotten interviews and some offers.  Does this mean I'm out of the running at this point?

[ChiefJRoberts]

So, I applied for the gs-07/gs-09 CE position mid july (because that's when I found out about it), got my NORs email 7/21 but no word since. 

I see from the posts here that people have gotten interviews and some offers.  Does this mean I'm out of the running at this point?

I would try contacting one of the hiring contacts on their website. Also, I am not sure they are done interviewing people at this point. They pushed back the August 12 start date to August 30. Perhaps they want to interview more people. I really hope everything works out.

[cherryblue]

some good news on the pto.  both the senate and house have passed a funding bill,  allowing the pto to retain 129 million in fees.  they are going to use this to hire and train more examiners,  so stay tuned.

[qdot]

what type of bonuses are available once you start

[qdot]

for those of you who got grade 9 offers, what steps were you offered?

[uvagurl13]

Hey so I was told the Academy this session is going to be 4 months, previously said that 5/4/9 schedule - so I assume this holds true.  Is the first week a 5 or a 4 and does it repeat in a pattern?  E.g. can you mark out on a calender all the Fridays you are off easily?  What time does the work day start/end?   

[cherryblue]

it follows the same as all government industry 9/80 programs.  there should be no problem marking out all the Fridays, but in order to sync up with everyone else you may start on a 4 day week and work it as a 5 day week.  then you would start the next week as a 5 day week and the following week would be a 4 day week.  You would work 9 hours for Mon-Thurs of both weeks, and 8 hours on the first Friday.

However, starting out you may find yourself working many Fridays anyways and even Saturdays to make quotas.  Also, it seems like since it is a shortened academy you'll have a steeper learning curve than before.  Good luck, and remember to not get disheartened because this job isn't for everyone.  Super high attrition levels (50-60%) definitely show this and Kappos has said in his presentations that they only expect about 50% to stay.  Add this to no retention bonuses, and the number might be even higher.

[uvagurl13]

Good luck, and remember to not get disheartened because this job isn't for everyone.  Super high attrition levels (50-60%) definitely show this and Kappos has said in his presentations that they only expect about 50% to stay.  Add this to no retention bonuses, and the number might be even higher.

At least with this forum, I think you should know what you are getting into.  Many other jobs don't have such a view...  Though do you have advice for success?  Or traits in a person that makes them well suited for this position?  Just curious from your point of view as a current examiner.  Do you have a quota while in the academy?

[somedude]

Pray you get a good supervisor; he/she can make or break your time at the PTO.  A good supervisor is of course important at any job, but it's probably more crucial at the PTO since you'll need to get their signatures for all your cases during the first few years.

[horsechute]

The best thing anyone can do going in is, in my view, have a good LSAT score under their belt. That is, unless you have a rich uncle, or want to spend the rest of your life searching for references.

[eeme]

Hey so I was told the Academy this session is going to be 4 months, previously said that 5/4/9 schedule - so I assume this holds true.  Is the first week a 5 or a 4 and does it repeat in a pattern?  E.g. can you mark out on a calender all the Fridays you are off easily?  What time does the work day start/end?   

   From my examiner friend who was trained just before the freeze, "you work 9 hr days, 7-5 i think, and take off every other Friday during the academy. Eventually you get a completely flexible schedule and work whenever you want after 6 months or so, buildings are open 24-7."

   And I was told training was 4-8 months a couple days ago, 8 months was how long it used to take I believe. My examiner friend said the longer training period (before freeze) could easily have been condensed, but then again there are usually people who can't hack it. With the buildings open 24/7 though you can put in extra time all weekend if you need to. A supervisor told me that if you're willing to put in the time you'll pick it up, most of the people who don't make it don't put in effort.

[horsechute]

Since they are hiring highly qualified people, most people should be able to do the job. And since there are currently few job openings elsewhere, many, if not most people will stay. But when they find out what the job is really like after about a year or so, they will want to leave, especially since the routine, tedious nature of the job is generally unappealing to the caliber of bright people they are currently hiring.

That is why I suggested obtaining a high LSAT score so new hires, or soon to be new hires, can implement the usual plan of starting law school somewhere down the road. And since the economy should have recovered in about 4 years, the timing is likely perfect.

[qdot]

my offer letter says the offer is contingent on a preliminary security clearance.  what does that mean exactly?