I applied online. I interviewed at IP Australia (Canberra)
Interview
Was flown down to Canberra for the interview. There were about 2 others being interviewed also, but for different areas. Questions focused on intellectual property, scenarios where I had to state whether this "invention" should or shouldn't be patented and why. They also made sure that it was clear that most patent applications are not considered inventive enough to be accepted, so the majority of work is rejecting applications. Also some questions about the wording of patents being important. There was a written component, which had two questions - one was to detail a holiday I had recently been on (I assume this was to test general writing skills), and another one was very strange and not very related to my field "Name a body part that is either permanently open at one end or optionally open at one end, and closed at the other end, that holds liquid and is able to control how much comes out" or something along those lines.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How do you deal with a persistent applicant who is angry that you don't consider their idea novel enough for a patent?
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at IP Australia (Perth, Western Australia) in Jun 2021
Interview
Two-stage interview, Phone interview and a Zoom meeting with 4-5 people, What is unique to them is they will send you a small case study to read through and will ask legal aptitude questions on it.
Interview questions [2]
Question 1
Why do you think you will be suitable for the role?
I applied online. I interviewed at IP Australia in Nov 2020
Interview
I had an video interview for a patent examiner role after passing the psychometric testing they required after I initially applied via the IP Australia website.
During the video interview I was really shocked how apathetic the entire interview panel was/acted during the virtual interview. The mood was so dismal and low-spirited which made the entire virtual interview feel awkward. I'm not sure who could come out of an interview feeling optimistic afterwards with the panel I met. I didn't really ask any questions at the end because it was so uncomfortable.
Almost 6 weeks has passed since this interview and I never heard back at all either way. My overall impression of IP Australia is no longer positive after this experience.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you handle a difficult client or colleague?