Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO Forum

[Anonymous User]

Just wondering, those with offers, what did you talk about when they asked about doing volume work efficiently? I'm a law clerk, and I don't know that this experience translated well. Thanks very much.

[Anonymous User]

Does GS-11 really require 9 months post-jd experience?

[Anonymous User]

Does GS-11 really require 9 months post-jd experience?

I don't think so, it is my understanding that GS-11 is an entry level position.

[Anonymous User]

Just wondering, those with offers, what did you talk about when they asked about doing volume work efficiently? I'm a law clerk, and I don't know that this experience translated well. Thanks very much.

I'm the first one who posted about getting an email about references the other day. I spent 2 years as a law clerk to an ALJ and over 6 years as a staff attorney at a federal appeals court. I was a little nervous about how to handle questions about the production requirements because my experience doesn't really translate either. I just really hammered that I met/exceeded my monthly production requirements at the fed. ct., that my prior positions helped me develop the ability to balance quality and production, and that I was ready to take on the challenges of a fast-paced work environment because I take more personal satisfaction in my work when I'm able to accomplish a lot of tasks (one of the interviewers had said something about looking for people who take personal satisfaction in their work). I mentioned that one of the downsides of my prior positions was that some cases took a long time to work up because of the subject matter, and that I didn't feel as accomplished in my work in those situations as when I was able to churn through cases quickly.

[Anonymous User]

At the interview, they told me that the position is entry level and GS-11 is locked in as your starting salary. As an entry level position, I don't think there is any experience requirement.

As for the question about doing volume work, I talked about working under deadlines, working under stress, etc. Even if you have never done volume work, I think showing them you can work well under deadline pressure is what they want to hear.

This is a second career for me, so I had more job experience to pull on to show I could do volume work.

[Anonymous User]

Does GS-11 really require 9 months post-jd experience?

I don't think so, it is my understanding that GS-11 is an entry level position.

That's correct. In my first post-grad position, I was a GS-9 for 2 months, until I found out I passed the bar. I was then bumped to GS-11, which is an entry-level barred attorney.

[Anonymous User]

For anyone who got an email/call, have any of your references been contacted? Has anyone received an official offer yet?

[Anonymous User]

For anyone who got an email/call, have any of your references been contacted? Has anyone received an official offer yet?

All of my references were contacted, and I was contacted and told all of them went well, but apparently there is now a wait for an "official offer," which is out of the hands of the managing attorneys. This is pretty rough cause its time to start looking for place...

[Anonymous User]

Ugh. I know one of my references has been contacted but that is all I've heard. The government has had a delayed opening yesterday and today, so that might be slowing things up, even for my references who are all in the DC area. I just want to move forward as quickly as possible.

[Anonymous User]

As far as I know, mine have not yet been contacted. I gave all my references a heads up that they may be contacted, but I've not heard a peep back. I was contacted for the May class, which is likely to take longer because they want to get the Feb/March people squared away first.

[Anonymous User]

As far as I know, mine have not yet been contacted. I gave all my references a heads up that they may be contacted, but I've not heard a peep back. I was contacted for the May class, which is likely to take longer because they want to get the Feb/March people squared away first.

Makes sense, I also gave personal contact numbers for my references (with permission of course) as well as work contacts, so it might have made it easier to get in touch with them.

[Anonymous User]

For anyone who got an email/call, have any of your references been contacted? Has anyone received an official offer yet?

All of my references were contacted, and I was contacted and told all of them went well, but apparently there is now a wait for an "official offer," which is out of the hands of the managing attorneys. This is pretty rough cause its time to start looking for place...

I know two of mine have been contacted thus far. This wait is killer--I just want to know for sure, already!

[Anonymous User]

For anyone who got an email/call, have any of your references been contacted? Has anyone received an official offer yet?

All of my references were contacted, and I was contacted and told all of them went well, but apparently there is now a wait for an "official offer," which is out of the hands of the managing attorneys. This is pretty rough cause its time to start looking for place...

I know two of mine have been contacted thus far. This wait is killer--I just want to know for sure, already!

Does anyone from past groups happen to know how "certain" the position is once they start contacting your references, and how long that final offer took?

[Anonymous User]

I've had my references contacted for two other Federal jobs. The process is very formulaic - "Can you confirm that X was employed with Y from X, 2014 - Y, 2015?" etc. They *might* ask a subjective question - "Was X a good performer?" but from my experience this is rare. Long story short, if they contact your references, and you did not lie on your resume about title/dates of employment, you will get the job.

[Anonymous User]

I just got a call about references for the May class. So they are still calling. Good luck everyone!

[Anonymous User]

I just got a call about references for the May class. So they are still calling. Good luck everyone!

Great news!!!!

I haven't been called yet... I wish they would wrap it up! I'll keep hope alive through the week.

[Anonymous User]

As far as I know, mine have not yet been contacted. I gave all my references a heads up that they may be contacted, but I've not heard a peep back. I was contacted for the May class, which is likely to take longer because they want to get the Feb/March people squared away first.

Me again. I just got word that 2 of mine just got calls.

[Anonymous User]

Does GS-11 really require 9 months post-jd experience?

I don't think so, it is my understanding that GS-11 is an entry level position.

I thought so too. But check out this new vacancy announcement for the USPTO.

[Anonymous User]

Does GS-11 really require 9 months post-jd experience?

I don't think so, it is my understanding that GS-11 is an entry level position.

I thought so too. But check out this new vacancy announcement for the USPTO.

From what I am understanding, that isn't for a trademark examiner position, it seems like its part of the Office of General Counsel, but I read it super quick.

[Anonymous User]

Does GS-11 really require 9 months post-jd experience?

I don't think so, it is my understanding that GS-11 is an entry level position.

I thought so too. But check out this new vacancy announcement for the USPTO.

From what I am understanding, that isn't for a trademark examiner position, it seems like its part of the Office of General Counsel, but I read it super quick.

Ah I see. I knew it was for a different position but I didn't realize that OGC sets its own standards for GS-11 through 13.

[Anonymous User]

Congrats to all those who have received e-mails/phone calls. I'm still waiting Out of curiosity, were specific start dates mentioned for either incoming class? Also, has anyone else received the initial phone call/e-mail today? Keeping my fingers crossed, but honestly, getting a bit discouraged. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous User]

I received my call today. This morning at around 10 am pacific, I am in CA. I didn't ask about start dates he just said it was for the May class. I am guessing first week of May.

[Anonymous User]

Congrats to all those who have received e-mails/phone calls. I'm still waiting Out of curiosity, were specific start dates mentioned for either incoming class? Also, has anyone else received the initial phone call/e-mail today? Keeping my fingers crossed, but honestly, getting a bit discouraged. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Its Feb 22nd for the early class.

[Anonymous User]

Congrats to all those who have received e-mails/phone calls. I'm still waiting Out of curiosity, were specific start dates mentioned for either incoming class? Also, has anyone else received the initial phone call/e-mail today? Keeping my fingers crossed, but honestly, getting a bit discouraged. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

My best advice to you if it doesn't pan out for you this time: Keep trying.

I literally applied for this job four different times; this go-round was my third time interviewing for it (which is why I'm so impatient to hear back about a final offer/not banking on anything until I get a final offer, just because I kinda can't believe it yet.)

If you really want it, don't give up. Be patient and persistent.

Good luck to you

[Anonymous User]

[quote="Anonymous User"][quote="Anonymous User"]Congrats to all those who have received e-mails/phone calls. I'm still waiting :( Out of curiosity, were specific start dates mentioned for either incoming class? Also, has anyone else received the initial phone call/e-mail today? Keeping my fingers crossed, but honestly, getting a bit discouraged. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated![/quote]

My best advice to you if it doesn't pan out for you this time: Keep trying.

I literally applied for this job four different times; this go-round was my third time interviewing for it (which is why I'm so impatient to hear back about a final offer/not banking on anything [i]until[/i] I get a final offer, just because I kinda can't believe it yet.)

If you really want it, don't give up. Be patient and persistent.

Good luck to you :)[/quote]

You are my hero. This go-round was my second time, and a few members of the interview panel made it quite clear that they had seen me before (which was a little awkward) but I tried to use it to my advantage as it shows dedication. If I do not receive a call, I will be applying when the position is posted again.