Working at United States Patent & Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA: 40 Employee Job Reviews by Real Employee working in Alexandria, VA Area

"USPTO is lauded as one of the best places to work in the federal government. Examining is not, however, engineering."

"Great, big campus. Some employees work on site, most work from home or a remote location. We're talking over 10,000 employees who access the US PTO network. Everyone for the most part is nice and stays busy with their work. The location is a nice place - just a few minutes from Old Town Alexandria."

"All tolled, the USPTO is a good place to work. It is important to recognize that opportunities for collaboration are limited and that the job is essentially a legal job rather than an engineering or science job. The benefits are acceptable and the work schedule is very flexible since there is nobody who must wait for your work to be done before theirs can be done."

"USPTO provides multiple flexible work schedules."

"PROS: Great job and amazing pay (96,000 by the end of my first year). Lots of overtime/ bonuses, no need to compete with others, promotions are based on production. CONS: Very anti-social, depending on your department, can get really boring."

"Ridiculous production system. Selfish examiners write very poor office action in order to get their ideal production number; some issuing patents for first action allowance count when the patents aren't novel, some don't actually understand their cases but still do the cases by guessing, some copy other examiner's office action (incorrectly), some purposely make cases to be RCE, and plenty of other unacceptable work habits are there to get the count."

"The USPTO is a rewarding place to work. Benefits and compensation are germane to industries elsewhere. I would highly recommend a career there, if that is precisely what an individual would like to pursue."

"Great Place to work. I worked in 2 projects and both have been a good experience to me."

What do you like about working at United States Patent & Trademark Office?

"Flexibility of work schedule and the independence. The pay helps too."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Know that this job is unlike anything else, take joy in your life outside and the flexibility the job provides to do so."

What don't you like about working at United States Patent & Trademark Office?

"Boring and repetative work environment. Also a feeling of being alone unless you strive."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Switch more to team based focus to allow for more self checks."

What do you like about working at United States Patent & Trademark Office?

"You constantly learn and things change based on court decisions and new laws. So, to a certain extent, the job adapts to the needs of the public."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"If you can't handle stress or have heart problems, don't interview with them."

What don't you like about working at United States Patent & Trademark Office?

"Middle and upper management seem out of touch with the difficulties of the employees. Many of the employees continually put out bad work product and still manage to progress."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Quit treating your employees as if they are expendable. They are essentially performing miracles on a daily basis, try giving them some respect."

What do you like about working at United States Patent & Trademark Office?

"The relationship with the management and provide proper training. I like their online courses."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"When you get the offer letter make sure they mention everything in the offer letter."

What don't you like about working at United States Patent & Trademark Office?

"The employer is doing the employee evaluation but which doesn't reflect their salary increase."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Proper evaluation in respect of salary. Create friendly environment in work site."