1. What exactly do you do?
- What field is your job in?
Registering Trademarks - What is your job title?
Administration/Paralegal - Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)
Firm size (locally) 9 Partners/Associates 4 Secretaries 1 Finance 1 Patent Paralegal 1 office Manager; Intellectual Property
- How long have you been employed in this position?
1.5 years - How many hours do you work a week on average?
37.5 - 40 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
37.5 - 40 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
Patent/Trademark research; filing trademarks (electronically); generated weekly docket reports; special projects; docketing (actions)
- What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
55000 - What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
35000 - Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
2 wks vacation; 11 days off; 6 sick days (can be used as vacation-also, any remaining sick days at end of year are paid out) 401k (vested after 3 years) - Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
Under
2. Work environment!
- Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
Yes, for the most part. I work more closely with the attorneys. I enjoy both.
- Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes - Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes - Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
The majority of my work load is reseaved from the attorneys once completed I then pass it on to their secretary.
- Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 4 Income
- 6 Work Environment - co-workers
- 7 Work Environment - supervisors
- 2 Benefits
- 5 Hours
- 3 Level of responsibility
- 8 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 1 Job Title
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
- If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Think about going through a temporary service prior to committing to a direct hire.
- What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
They must first have the ability to work with ALL types of people and at different levels. Attention to detail and listening skills are two very important key factors. Their administrative skills should also be high on their list of 'must have'.
- Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes, and No. Do I think a person (in today's world) could effectively do my job without having their HS diploma, No. How about someone with a HS diploma with little or no 'work' experience, No. Let's say someone with a HS diploma and many years (15+) of 'effective work' experience, Yes. - What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Please be prepared to accept change and the different attitudes.
4. How did you get your J-O-B
- How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
Newspaper ad listing an open house for a temporary service - What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
Walk-in. Fill out application. Testing (usually) I however was not tested due to experience (go figure). Interview. I did the normal 'thank you' and 'follow up' requirements and was called within one week to interview with the Office Manager of the firm. - Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
Yes. One interview with one rep. I googled the firm prior to, researched the net, jotted down 3 questions I wanted to ask in the interview. Hired on the spot. - If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
They were big on accomplishments. What had you done in your previous position where you received praise/reward/acknowledgement from upper management. Also, how well you worked with co-workers. Deligating techniques, training techniques - Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
No - If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
Never thought to work at a law firm. Always enjoyed working in an office setting. Learned a lot in the management field (but I didn't enjoy it)Previously worked in operations for one of the major banks. Company aquired and local operations lost the toss. Took one year off to play with my grandson and decided to return to the working field but with lesser hours.
5. Background: Are you qualified?
- Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Well, sort of. The paralegel was leaving in two weeks. I was offered the position two days prior to her leaving. The good part about it was I had trained with the paralegel prior to her announcement simply because I (1) offered assistance when I had time (2) found her line of work interesting - Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
I believe they had great trust in my abilities. - Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
Yes, and No. I truly believe my work experience had more of an impact. - If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION)
- If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
The researching - What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
Getting the job done and satisfying the attorneys. Hours are great! Least fulfilling would have to be the young attitudes. - Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
It is now. I only accept positions where there's room for me to grow as a person. If I've already been there...done that...and mastered it, then I am not interested in repeating it. Tried it once, got bored. - What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
To master current position, retire in 5 to 7 years. Volunteer - Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
Nothing
7. A Day in the Life Of...
- 7 am - 8 am
- 8 am - 9 am
Pull docket report and distribute to attorneys and their secretaries. - 9 am - 10 am
docketing. Enter in all new incoming actions for attorney docket. Distribute files to secretaries. - 10 am - 11 am
Special project. Continue inserting client data and copy past drawings from USPTO onto word document. Title each word page and include abstract description (where indicated). - 11 am - 12 am
continue with client profile document. Get additional information from internet. - 12 am - 1 pm
- 1 pm - 2 pm
Client profile. Sit with attorney to review packet. Make the necessary changes to word document. Call client to get information concerning abstract of three items. Review with attorney. Have secretary pull files needed to complete entries. - 2 pm - 3 pm
Client profile. Sort through Patents and Design applications. Add new items to word document to complete profile. Submit to attorney for approval. - 3 pm - 4 pm
Special project. Continue inserting client data and copy past drawings from USPTO onto word document. Title each word page and include abstract description (where indicated). - 4 pm - 5 pm
left office at 4:15 to pick up car. Returned to office to file application with USPTO due today. - 5 pm - 6 pm
N/A - 6 pm - 7 pm
N/A - 7 pm - 8 pm
- 8 pm - 9 pm
- 9 pm - 10 pm
- 10 pm - 11 pm
- 11 pm - 12 pm