Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO Forum

[Anonymous User]

Are we certain that all interview offers have been extended already?

[Anonymous User]

Are we certain that all interview offers have been extended already?

That's a good question. I wonder, too. Considering how long it took them to request the written summaries, the turnaround for interviews was extremely fast (4 days, including a weekend?).

[Anonymous User]

I would imagine that certain candidates would be interviewed sooner than others, based on criteria such as distance, qualifications, and anything else a selecting official has in mind. Any input from past or present candidates would be appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

It looks like last year, some people heard about their first interviews as late as the day after Christmas. Not that it means anything for this year but yea.

[Anonymous User]

It looks like last year, some people heard about their first interviews as late as the day after Christmas. Not that it means anything for this year but yea.

True. But that doesn't tell us whether the interview emails were staggered or not, unfortunately. I guess the only folks who know for sure either work at the USPTO or were applicants in prior years who received emails on different days.

[Anonymous User]

Well, to allay some concerns, I was just emailed an interview request about 15 minutes ago. So it looks like they are coming in staggered. Best of luck, all.

[Anonymous User]

Well, to allay some concerns, I was just emailed an interview request about 15 minutes ago. So it looks like they are coming in staggered. Best of luck, all.

Also received one today.

[Anonymous User]

Just out of curiosity, did you guys submit your written statements earlier or later in the week span they gave us?

[Anonymous User]

Just out of curiosity, did you guys submit your written statements earlier or later in the week span they gave us?

I submitted mine on December 15th and received an email today.

[Anonymous User]

I also received an interview. Submitted my essay on the 14th and received an interview email on the 22nd. For those asking about background, I'm a 2014 grad -- I have about 2 years of trademark paralegal experience and some trademark and copyright research assistant experience while in law school.

[Anonymous User]

I'll just add to this thread as well. Sent my statement on 12/15, received interview email on 12/23.
2014 grad with trademark & non-trademark IP experience.

Also, based on the timeline they gave for interview slots, its likely that there are about 100 people being interviewed...not 300.

[ITIKWIW]

Can anyone give examples of some of the questions that are asked during the first round of interviews? Thanks and much appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

Also, based on the timeline they gave for interview slots, its likely that there are about 100 people being interviewed...not 300.

I agree. According to the interview email, first round interviews will be held on only 8 days: Mon-Thurs the weeks of Jan. 5 and Jan. 12, with interviewees told they should expect to stay at the USPTO for approximately one hour. It's possible they'll have 3 or 4 panels interviewing 7-10 candidates every one of those days, but based on these dates and the indication that each interview is slotted for an hour, 300 interviews seems unlikely. Between 50 and 100 seems more realistic.

I heard there were talks of streamlining the whole interview process this year. But the email does called it the "first round" so who knows.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if they're hiring for each class separately? Like if you don't make the March class, are you reconsidered for the May class?

[Anonymous User]

good luck to all beginning the first round interview process! if anyone has credible insider information (for example, number of positions available), please share.

[Anonymous User]

I have my interview in a handful of hours. Anyone have an idea what to expect?

[Anonymous User]

I have my interview in a handful of hours. Anyone have an idea what to expect?

How did it go? Would you mind sharing some of the questions they asked you?

[Anonymous User]

Did they give any indication of what the timeline for hearing about the next step would be?

[salern]

I would also appreciate any info, what was the first interview like?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if they're hiring for each class separately? Like if you don't make the March class, are you reconsidered for the May class?

The last couple of times they have done this, they pull all the applicant's from the same pool for both the classes. Last year the USPTO put on two classes from the round of hiring, one class started in March, the other in May. Some people will have conflicts that make only one or other possible. The office seems to try to accommodate to the extent it can, and then plugs in the "either class will work" people based on the vacancies.

[Anonymous User]

Did any of the interviewers indicate when first round candidates would be notified regarding whether or not they are being considered for the second round?

[Anonymous User]

I asked. All they told me was that they were interviewing through the end of the month.

That said, our first round email was unambiguous that first round interviews end tomorrow. So my guess is that we should find out promptly if it's their schedule to finish up all interviewing this month. Of course, this is just a guess.

As to questions - my interview was mostly informative. There weren't that many questions; I probably asked more of the questions than they did. They seemed more interested in fleshing out the job responsibilities.

[Anonymous User]

The said they are interviewing "until the end of the month" to me as well. I agree, i think they will be extending second round interview offers tomorrow and Friday.

Also, I saw a detailed account by a current examiner at the PTO who went through this process last year. (http://www.glassdoor.com/GD/Interview/U ... Trademarks)

To date it's exactly what we're all going through -- from when they opened the announcement, to when the first round was, etc. He/she stated that they received their offer for their second round interview on the last day of the first round of interviews.

So although it is speculation, it's likely that we are going to hear by Friday.

My interview was also really similar, discussing the job in detail, pay scale, training program, responsibilities, etc. Out of the 20 minutes it was maybe 10-12 minutes of them speaking and maybe 8 of me answering general interview questions. ("Why do you want to be an examiner," "How do you take criticism?")

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if applicants who submitted their writing samples at the end of the submission timeline (Dec. 18 or 19) have been extended interview invitations yet?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if applicants who submitted their writing samples at the end of the submission timeline (Dec. 18 or 19) have been extended interview invitations yet?

The email I received for the first round indicated that the first round interviews were being conducted for last week and this week -- ending today. Based on that email, I think all interview invitations have been extended. UNLESS, their comment about "end of the month" indicates there's two separate first rounds, but based on their hiring practices in the past, I find that unlikely.