Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO Forum

[Anonymous User]

Start date for the May class is May 2.

This was my fourth or fifth time applying and second time interviewing. So definitely don't give up if it's a position you really want.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks to each of you who have provided information regarding start dates and/or for the encouragement to not give up. Makes me feel like I'm not alone in this boat. This was my second time interviewing and I was a former intern.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, February class starts on the 22. Got my official offer phone call today, paperwork to follow. I have a feeling all calls/emails have not quite been done yet. While they are trying to get everything squared away, the snow storm in DC has really wreaked havoc on schedules.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone who received an offer interview for this position more than once? I see several posters saying they interviewed more than once, but I'm wondering if there is a realistic chance that repeated interviewing could ultimately result in an offer.

[Anonymous User]

[quote="Anonymous User"]Did anyone who received an offer interview for this position more than once? I see several posters saying they interviewed more than once, but I'm wondering if there is a realistic chance that repeated interviewing could ultimately result in an offer.[/quote]

The dude/tte above just said they interviewed three times and received a phone call this time around.

[Anonymous User]

I know a managing attorney there that was offered a job on his third time through. He just kept trying. I thinking applying multiple times is in no way unheard of. In my interview, they specifically asked me how many times I had applied for the job.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know the extent of the background check? I assume that they check your credit and if you owe any money to the IRS or any other federal agency, student loans, etc. Anything else?

[Anonymous User]

From what I understand, the position does not require a security clearance of any kind, so it is probably a generic background check.

[Anonymous User]

I have applied 4 times, interviewed all 4 times to the last interview. And I finally got my first reference check call today after the 4 th time around. All it takes is for you to connect with one of the interviewers one of those times.

So you can interview multiple times and you still have a chance. There is just so much competition. If anything the multiple interviews help because they get to know you even better and know you are committed to it. In my interview we joked about them having seen me before and how they really didn't need to do the intro stuff because they knew I knew it already.

[Anonymous User]

Congrats to all those that received calls and emails, especially those that persevered through multiple cycles. Amazing for all of you.

[Anonymous User]

So for those of us who didn't get a email/call, should we consider this done and done?

[CamgLaw]

Has anyone contacted the USPTO for a status update? I tried yesterday but couldn't contact anyone.

[Anonymous User]

I have applied 4 times, interviewed all 4 times to the last interview. And I finally got my first reference check call today after the 4 th time around. All it takes is for you to connect with one of the interviewers one of those times.

Congrats! Smart move on your part sticking with them. I agree about the connection - I think the thing is to really focus on each person as they ask you a question. I think I sometimes tried to respond to the group as a whole, which as I think about it, means I missed a chance to connect with that one person who asked the question. Lesson learned.

[Anonymous User]

So for those of us who didn't get a email/call, should we consider this done and done?

I'm guessing at this point it would take someone who got an offer either declining or failing the reference check, thereby opening up a slot.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what the "background check" consists of? Actually know, not just supposition?

It seems like they are cutting this very close since some people haven't gotten their okay from HR and the Feb class starts in 3 weeks.

[Anonymous User]

The background check goes on while you are working. I have a friend who started in the last class (Oct/Nov?) and his background check is still going on. They need the paperwork to start it now, but it won't be finished by the time February class starts.

[Anonymous User]

Wow, that is a really long background check investigation process. I too am very curious at to what it entails.

Has anyone received offers calls from HR for the May class? My references were checked but I am still waiting to hear from HR.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone received offers calls from HR for the May class? My references were checked but I am still waiting to hear from HR.

I know at least two of my four references were contacted yesterday. I haven't heard anything from HR yet. I wish I'd at least get some indication from the managing attorney that everything checked out and they're just waiting on HR.

[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.

Thank you - this was extremely helpful. Do you recall anything about them pushing you on how you would handle a situation when you and your mentor differed on the outcome of an examination? They seemed intent on this, and I haven't had substantive differences with my boss on the outcomes of cases.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone feel like one interviewer, the person on your immediate left, played a somewhat bad cop role - emphasizing that they only wanted to higher the best of the best, and pushing you to sell yourself as such? Any good way to respond to this, without obvious self-promotion?

[Anonymous User]

Thank you - this was extremely helpful. Do you recall anything about them pushing you on how you would handle a situation when you and your mentor differed on the outcome of an examination? They seemed intent on this, and I haven't had substantive differences with my boss on the outcomes of cases.

Yes, they did ask that question. I've had situations where either my supervisor or a judge disagreed with my recommendation. I basically told them that, if it was a judge who disagreed, I did what s/he wanted because it's ultimately his/her name on the opinion. If it was a situation where my name was on the final product (as with memos to judges), I'd discuss with my supervisor, do more research on their differing opinion, and consult others I trusted if I felt I needed another opinion to be satisfied with the outcome. I told them I'd do the same--if my mentor or a managing attorney disagreed with my opinion, I'd listen to their opinion, do more research if necessary, and consult another higher-level attorney if I felt I needed another perspective. I told them that, since my name would be on the final product, I needed to be satisfied that the outcome was correct. That seemed to satisfy them.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know when we can expect the call/e-mail from HR for the May class. I am constantly checking my e-mails, phone and the posts on this site for updates. I know that all the references for the May class have been checked. I have a feeling that we may be delayed since the late February class is starting soon and they should have priority.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know when we can expect the call/e-mail from HR for the May class. I am constantly checking my e-mails, phone and the posts on this site for updates. I know that all the references for the May class have been checked. I have a feeling that we may be delayed since the late February class is starting soon and they should have priority.

When I spoke with the managing attorney, he said it could be a couple of weeks. It's only been a week since he asked to do a reference check, so I'm guessing next week, though I wish it would happen sooner.

[chukiman24]

Does anyone know when we can expect the call/e-mail from HR for the May class. I am constantly checking my e-mails, phone and the posts on this site for updates. I know that all the references for the May class have been checked. I have a feeling that we may be delayed since the late February class is starting soon and they should have priority.

When I spoke with the managing attorney, he said it could be a couple of weeks. It's only been a week since he asked to do a reference check, so I'm guessing next week, though I wish it would happen sooner.

Many thanks! Hope to meet you in May.

[Anonymous User]

I received my tentative offer and sent off my declaration, but I haven't heard back about the final "security check". Has anybody received theirs yet, I am proceeding like I am definitely moving, but I would like some final confirmation...