PPD is now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. On December 8, 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific completed the acquisition of PPD. For up-to-date information, please see the Thermo Fisher Scientific profile..
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at PPD (Wilmington, NC) in Aug 2014
Interview
Recruiter sent me an e-mail detailing their interest in me and wanted to schedule an on-site interview for that following week. I was then sent an agenda for the 2 hour interview. I met with the recruiter first, then 3 separate interviews with members of the department I was interviewing in. PPD uses a targeted selection-style interview format...alot of "What would you do if...", and some questions were about the past experiences you've had professionally. I faced a few repeated questions in the three separate interviews, so I definitely found myself repeating experiences.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer who had unrealistic expectations...
Three panel interviews, each session was at least 30 minutes and on camera. Some questions were clearly scripted, but other interviewers would riff. Seemed like there were specific answers they were looking for.
There were three rounds of panel interviews with 2 to 4 managers in each. Process lasted about two hours. Some of the questions were written down and some were asked ad hoc in conversation.
I applied online. The process took 4 days. I interviewed at PPD (Raleigh, NC) in Mar 2015
Interview
First was a phone interview with an HR associate. Then she scheduled my face-to-face interview with a panel of managers and higher-level associates who've been in the role for a length of time. Lastly, a follow-up telephone call from HR offering me the job and going over benefits.