I applied online. I interviewed at US Patent and Trademark Office (Alexandria, VA) in Jan 2023
Interview
Series of behavioral questions designed to test your understanding of patents but also personal skills. Some were about the patent process it self but others about your own workability and habits. "What would you do in X scenario type of questions." Answer concisely but also accurately. Draw from your own experiences if possible.
Online/asynchronous first round through HireVue. Applied through official website. You only get referred to the second round if your background is a fit for the rank you're applying. Role spans GS-7 through GS-11.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How is your technical background a good fit for the patent office?
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 Jun 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)