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[fizziks]

fizziks, have you tried contacting the SPE listed on the hiring contacts site?

Not yet. I've applied about 2 weeks ago. I guess I can at least wait for a NOR. I remember back in 2007-2008, comp engineers would get a NOR and interview in a heartbeat, since they were so desperately in need of them.

[pdc]

Anybody knows about USPTO hiring activity going or not about patent examiner-EE positions? I received my NOR at Oct 25th,2010 since that I did not receive any interview call?

[SCSpoof]

I applied in late August.... Anyone hear anything about 12/6 or future academy dates? TY

[102(p for pass)]

I applied in late August....Got my NOR...just waiting. Anyone hear anything about 12/6 or future academy dates? TY

Yeah - The next Training Academy Date after the 12/6 date is Jan 31, 2011  :-(

If you can't get in the 12/6 class...the 1/31 class is your next best chance.

[gato]

Hey, first time poster here. Just wanted to share my application experience to give a timeline for others who are patiently waiting.

10/13 Applied for GS 5/7/9 examiner position - Comp Engr.
10/27 Received NOR.
~10/29 HR called me to set up interview.
11/4 Received another NOR.
11/5 Had phone interview with a Primary and SPE.
11/10 Received email asking for OF-306 and HSPD-12 forms.
11/17 Offered GS 7-10 with start date of 12/6. Possibility of delaying start until 1/31.

I am a recent JD grad from a T20 school with a BS in Comp Engr. Passed the patent bar in 2008. Hope this helps!

[ananag]

Hi guys. Great thread. Thanks for all the information.

Here is my situation:

I have a M.S. in mechanical engineering

10/13: I had a interview
10/14: I applied for the MechE position online
10/21: I got the NOR saying I am eligible

I have not heard anything since though

[Modest_Moniker]

We all have fairly similar timing it seems.. I'm an EE undergrad (non-traditional student with previous mechanical experience). I'm graduating in May 2011, but had met a SPE at our career fair in September. He encouraged me to apply, so I did.

I applied for the Electrical Engineer Patent Examiner GS-1224-05/09 position.

Applied                            10/23
Rec'd NOR                       10/26
Call to schedule interview   11/12
Phone Interview                11/15

About the interview: there were a few of you that spoke in previous posts about the interview questions. You were exactly right, and I was prepared for the interview. It went VERY well   The SPE that interviewed me said that I'll be working with her group, but she can't officially make the offer. She said that I'll start at GS7 step 10, get an accelerated promotion at 6 months to GS9 step 7, then again at 1 year to GS11 step 4 or 5.

Since I'm not starting until early next summer, any predictions on the length of time until I get an actual offer? Anyone else have a similar situation?

[SCSpoof]

I am just curious. About the OF-306 and HSPD-12 does anyone know if these forms, in some way, mean you will be offered a position? I guess a better question is, how likely is it you will not to be offered the position after this step in the process?

thanks! and goodluck to everyone!

[gato]

I am just curious. I looked up the OF-306 and HSPD-12. Does anyone know if these forms, in some way, mean you will be offered a position? I guess a better question is, how likely is it you will not to be offered the position after this step in the process?

thanks! and goodluck to everyone!

I am fairly confident that you will not be asked to fill out these forms unless they are planning on offering you a position. However, I remember reading a thread about a poster who had gotten these forms just prior to the PTO instituting a hiring freeze. In the end, the poster did not get a job offer. So, yeah, it means you will likely get a job offer, but you never know what will happen.

[102(p for pass)]

Hey, first time poster here. Just wanted to share my application experience to give a timeline for others who are patiently waiting.

10/13 Applied for GS 5/7/9 examiner position - Comp Engr.
10/27 Received NOR.
~10/29 HR called me to set up interview.
11/4 Received another NOR.
11/5 Had phone interview with a Primary and SPE.
11/10 Received email asking for OF-306 and HSPD-12 forms.
11/17 Offered GS 7-10 with start date of 12/6. Possibility of delaying start until 1/31.

I am a recent JD grad from a T20 school with a BS in Comp Engr. Passed the patent bar in 2008. Hope this helps!

Hey Gato - COngrats.   Do you mind sharing the Art Unit you will be in?

[gato]

Hey, first time poster here. Just wanted to share my application experience to give a timeline for others who are patiently waiting.

10/13 Applied for GS 5/7/9 examiner position - Comp Engr.
10/27 Received NOR.
~10/29 HR called me to set up interview.
11/4 Received another NOR.
11/5 Had phone interview with a Primary and SPE.
11/10 Received email asking for OF-306 and HSPD-12 forms.
11/17 Offered GS 7-10 with start date of 12/6. Possibility of delaying start until 1/31.

I am a recent JD grad from a T20 school with a BS in Comp Engr. Passed the patent bar in 2008. Hope this helps!

Hey Gato - COngrats.   Do you mind sharing the Art Unit you will be in?

Thanks. I do want to try and maintain some anonymity, but I will tell you that it is in the 2100s. Good luck to you!

[Yet another examiner]

I am just curious. I looked up the OF-306 and HSPD-12. Does anyone know if these forms, in some way, mean you will be offered a position? I guess a better question is, how likely is it you will not to be offered the position after this step in the process?

thanks! and goodluck to everyone!

My understanding is that it's almost a sure thing that they'll offer you a job if they've sent the OF-306 forms.

[sgtpepper976]

done...  got offer thursday on the phone...  thanks to the thread for helping me along the way

[fizziks]

I am just curious. I looked up the OF-306 and HSPD-12. Does anyone know if these forms, in some way, mean you will be offered a position? I guess a better question is, how likely is it you will not to be offered the position after this step in the process?

thanks! and goodluck to everyone!

I am fairly confident that you will not be asked to fill out these forms unless they are planning on offering you a position. However, I remember reading a thread about a poster who had gotten these forms just prior to the PTO instituting a hiring freeze. In the end, the poster did not get a job offer. So, yeah, it means you will likely get a job offer, but you never know what will happen.

I have heard of this too. The USPTO has retracted their offers in the past due to budget problems or untold circumstances. This is what I'm afraid of if I chose a starting date that is too late where they might cancel future classes.

[LoLITY]

Does anyone know the rate that students make it in to the USPTO? I applied in August and just received my EOR which I understand isn't a big deal - just a notification that I was eligible for Grades 5 and 7. I have a BS degree in chem and am working on my MS degree. I probably won't finish my MS degree until some time in the summer because I have to write a thesis...I had put on my application that I'd be available to start in May (FYI I hadn't considered the amount of time it would take to write my thesis so that was an accident...also I just really really want to be done by May  ). Anyway it seems like a lot of people on this forum have advanced degrees AND lots of experience. I was just curious to see if there was anyone like me applying to be a Patent Examiner. The announcement says they're accepting applications for students who will finish their coursework in nine months so I thought it was a good opportunity for students. Maybe not.