I applied through other source. I interviewed at US Patent and Trademark Office (Denver, CO) in Feb 2014
Interview
One interview at hiring fair held specifically for this position, hosted by USPTO at local hotel. Hiring managers gave presentation, met with each candidate individually. I was asked which tools I'd used for patent-related research, to elaborate on my experience and ability to work alone (job requires extensive solo work), describe expertise/ability to determine if a submitted design will function or is technically accurate. Hiring managers very open, revealing. Culture appears similar to NASA or a department office at a research university: Laid back academic yet professional interactions.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
I can't say any question was difficult or unexpected. I wasn't expecting the dress to be as casual as it was: 8 hiring managers were there, all wearing jeans/dockers and short sleeved golf shirts or colored denim long sleeved shirt.
I interviewed at US Patent and Trademark Office (Washington, DC)
Interview
Online Hirevue interview. Interview was simple and brief. Questions were related to the general breadth of patents as a whole along with various personality questions. You are given multiple attempts to record your answers.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
"Give us a time where _____ happened and how you responded"
I applied through a staffing agency. I interviewed at US Patent and Trademark Office (Oxnard, CA) in June 2026
Interview
I've only done the digital one, where I recorded myself, and it was fairly easy. You got chances to redo your recording, which was nice, and you had a minute before you read the question to prepare your answer. I found it to be intuitive.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was one time you had multiple things to do? How did you prioritize those things, and how did you complete them? (that's the gist of the question)
I applied online. I interviewed at US Patent and Trademark Office (Alexandria, VA) in June 2026
Interview
1st round: Hirevue interview, pretty simple, they asked 5 questions and you have the opportunity to retake each question 1 time. Total length was about 25 minutes.
2nd round: In-person interview scheduled a week after.