Attorney Advisor (Trademark Examining Attorney) for USPTO Forum

[Anonymous User]

May class: Many of us are anxious given that we want to wind down at our current job but can't. Others are antsy because they don't know whether to keep looking for other jobs. Many of us also have to move to NOVA from great distances. The one thing I can say for certain is that it appears that, so far, everything is in place for all of us that received the call for the May class.

For those currently employed, when do you plan on working your last day? I was thinking of working until the end March and then using April to get everything ready, finalize a rental agreement, ship my car and furniture, etc, etc. Am I cutting it too short? On the other hand, I would not like to be two months without a paycheck.

Best regards,

Paul

[Anonymous User]

May class: Many of us are anxious given that we want to wind down at our current job but can't. Others are antsy because they don't know whether to keep looking for other jobs. Many of us also have to move to NOVA from great distances. The one thing I can say for certain is that it appears that, so far, everything is in place for all of us that received the call for the May class.

For those currently employed, when do you plan on working your last day? I was thinking of working until the end March and then using April to get everything ready, finalize a rental agreement, ship my car and furniture, etc, etc. Am I cutting it too short? On the other hand, I would not like to be two months without a paycheck.

Best regards,

Paul

Same plan here. Work until end of March, look for an apartment around mid march, ship everything in April and move in to apartment last week or so of April.

[Anonymous User]

I plan on doing the same. Many thanks to all for the candid responses.

[Anonymous User]

Do you guys know of any ways to get some volunteer trademark experience?

[Anonymous User]

In regards to those applying, they love confidence and a commitment to quality vs quantity as a balance.

[Anonymous User]

See if your law school will help you get involved. The agency hires a lot out of their former interns and former participants in the law school clinic.

[Anonymous User]

Yes, the most important reference is the one you list as a supervisor. This is the one reference were you are limited. All the other references could be close friends and peers. I would also recommend against coaching your references. I believe that the Managing Attorney could see through that.

To those that didn't get in this round, keep trying.

See you guys in May,

Mike

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone plan on using the VRE? Is it reliable?

[Anonymous User]

From what I know, the VRE is very reliable and runs about every thirty minutes.

[Anonymous User]

I just found this thread. The idea of being a trademark examiner at USPTO is something I am interested in. It seems a decent amount of people that post in this thread have been offered jobs.

Is it hard to land a trademark examining job? Is it highly competitive? Is it more competitive than applying to be a lawyer at DOJ or SEC or other big attorney agencies?

[Anonymous User]

For experience, contact a law school clinic. See if your law school or your local law school will help you get involved. I think they hire a lot out of their USPTO former interns and former participants in the law school clinic. The clinics are relatively new and great feeders for the examiner positions.

This would be good for someone who is still in law school, but what of those who are have already graduated? Any tips?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone offered the May start date heard back about an official offer?

Does anyone know precisely when in "early May" we would be starting?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone offered the May start date heard back about an official offer?

Does anyone know precisely when in "early May" we would be starting?

I've not heard officially yet. May 2 was the date the managing attorney gave me when we spoke about my references.

[Anonymous User]

May class offers are going out. Just got a call about it. They will send an initial informal offer letter then later a formal letter.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone from the May class received the final offer/cleared the OF 306 form? Does anyone how long it takes to be cleared by the Security Office in order to be issued the final offer? All these steps and waiting times make one just a little nervous.

[Anonymous User]

I still haven't received the final offer either. Hang in there! We are nearing the end of the hiring process.

[Anonymous User]

I just found this thread. The idea of being a trademark examiner at USPTO is something I am interested in. It seems a decent amount of people that post in this thread have been offered jobs.

Is it hard to land a trademark examining job? Is it highly competitive? Is it more competitive than applying to be a lawyer at DOJ or SEC or other big attorney agencies?

I would say that it is competitive because there are no shortage of applicants. Many have tried for several years before landing positions and some have yet to secure employment with the PTO. I think that it probably largely depends on your relevant experience and luck.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone from the May class received the final offer/cleared the OF 306 form? Does anyone how long it takes to be cleared by the Security Office in order to be issued the final offer? All these steps and waiting times make one just a little nervous.

I submitted my OF306 nearly 2 weeks ago and there has been radio silence ever since.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone from the May class received the final offer/cleared the OF 306 form? Does anyone how long it takes to be cleared by the Security Office in order to be issued the final offer? All these steps and waiting times make one just a little nervous.

I submitted my OF306 nearly 2 weeks ago and there has been radio silence ever since.

Same here. I figure we all have the job even if tenative and the language in the letter says its only contingent on reviewing and filling out the OF 306 form which we have done so the formal offer is coming. I wonder if the formal offer will be sent by mail or e-mail. I am moving forward with my moving plans and apartment shopping and will still give notice at my current job in mid March as planned whether I have the formal letter in hand or not. We should by then...I hope.

[Anonymous User]

Same here. I figure we all have the job even if tenative and the language in the letter says its only contingent on reviewing and filling out the OF 306 form which we have done so the formal offer is coming. I wonder if the formal offer will be sent by mail or e-mail. I am moving forward with my moving plans and apartment shopping and will still give notice at my current job in mid March as planned whether I have the formal letter in hand or not. We should by then...I hope.

I'm also wondering how it will be sent. I think a lot of the benefits stuff can be done online, but I'm sure there's actual paperwork that needs to be filled out and signed beforehand, too. I anticipate receiving snail mail at some point but I could be wrong.

[Anonymous User]

The final offers for the May class should be rolling out. I received mine via email last week.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks just got my final offer.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks just got my final offer.

Ditto. Does your last name by chance start with a letter near the end of the alphabet? I'm a W, so maybe that's why it took so long!

[Anonymous User]

Yes, my last name starts with an S

[Anonymous User]

Congratulations to you all. I hold out hope that I will join you one day.