20 PPD Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing for a position at a specific company, it’s important to do your research and be prepared to answer questions about the company itself.

If you’re interviewing for a position at PPD, a global contract research organization that offers drug development, laboratory, and lifecycle management services, you may be wondering what kinds of questions you’ll be asked.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample PPD interview questions and answers. These questions will give you a better idea of what to expect during your interview and help you show off your knowledge of the company.

PPD Interview Process

The interview process at PPD can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, like CRA or Senior CRA, you may be required to participate in a panel interview. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but is typically around 2 weeks.

1. Why do you want to work at PPD?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of PPD that you admire or something about the organization that attracted you to apply in the first place.

Example: “I want to work at PPD because I am passionate about helping people live healthier lives. In my research, I found that PPD has been providing healthcare solutions for over 50 years. This longevity shows me that the company values its employees and their contributions to the industry. I would love to be part of such a successful team.”

2. Do you have experience with PK or PD data analysis and scientific writing?

PPD is a contract research organization that offers drug development, laboratory and lifecycle management services. The interviewer may ask you this question to determine if you have experience with the specific processes they use at PPD. If you do not have experience with these processes, consider describing your ability to learn new systems quickly.

Example: “I have worked in both clinical and non-clinical environments where I was responsible for performing PK or PD data analysis and scientific writing. In my last position, I had to create reports on the efficacy of drugs based on their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. I also performed statistical analyses on patient data to determine whether there were any correlations between certain factors and the effectiveness of the drug.”

3. How would you handle a situation where two team members were not getting along?

Teamwork is an essential skill for any PPD employee. Your interviewer may ask this question to see how you would handle a conflict between two team members and ensure that the rest of your team stays productive. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to resolve the conflict and keep everyone working together.

Example: “I have worked in teams before where there were disagreements among some members. I always try to encourage open communication so that we can discuss our differences and find solutions. If one person feels like they are being treated unfairly, I make sure to listen to their concerns and address them fairly. This helps me diffuse any tension and allows all parties to feel heard.”

4. What is an example of a time when you had to manage several tasks at once?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your time and manage competing deadlines. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your ability to multitask, communicate effectively and meet tight deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a research scientist, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once while also ensuring that our team met all client expectations. One of my clients had an urgent need for data analysis on their latest trial results. This required me to work with my team members to collect and analyze the data in a timely manner so we could deliver it to the client before they released their quarterly report.”

5. Describe your experience working in a regulated environment.

PPD is a global contract research organization that offers drug development, laboratory, and lifecycle management services. As such, it requires employees to have experience working in a regulated environment. When answering this question, be sure to highlight your ability to work within the constraints of a regulatory framework.

Example: “I’ve worked for several pharmaceutical companies where I was responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. For example, when conducting experiments on animals, we were required to adhere to strict guidelines regarding animal care and treatment. In my previous role as an assistant scientist, I also had to ensure that our data collection methods adhered to federal standards.”

6. Are you comfortable traveling for business purposes? If so, what percentage of the year are you willing to travel?

PPD is a global company that requires its employees to travel for business purposes. The interviewer wants to know if you have any reservations about traveling and how often you would be willing to do so. Your answer should show your willingness to travel, but also your desire to stay in one location as much as possible.

Example: “I am comfortable with occasional travel for business purposes. I understand that it’s part of the job, and I’m happy to go where needed. However, I prefer to work from home or my local office as much as possible.”

7. If a new project came up that required more resources than currently available, how would you proceed?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a situation that may arise in your new role. Use examples from past experience to show how you would react and solve the problem.

Example: “In my last position, we had a project come up that required more resources than our team could provide. I immediately contacted my manager to let them know about the issue and they helped me find additional staff members to complete the project. It was important for us to ensure that all of our projects were completed on time while also maintaining quality.”

8. Tell us about your laboratory experience.

This question is an opportunity to discuss your previous work experience and how it relates to the position. If you have no laboratory experience, consider discussing a time when you worked in another scientific field or used your analytical skills to solve problems.

Example: “I’ve been working as a research scientist for five years now. I started out at my alma mater where I conducted experiments on new medications and treatments. My role was to test the effectiveness of these drugs by administering them to animals and monitoring their health. After two years, I became the lead researcher for our team and helped train other scientists.”

9. What qualities are important to you as a scientist?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a scientist and learn more about your values. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention qualities that are important to you in your work and how they relate to PPD’s mission or goals.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for a scientist is curiosity. I am always looking for new ways to solve problems and improve processes. Another quality I find important is collaboration. Science is an ever-changing field, so I believe it’s important to collaborate with others who have different perspectives and experiences.”

10. When was a time you worked with a difficult client, how did you resolve the issue?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you worked with a difficult client and the steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “In my previous role as a research scientist, I had a client who was very demanding. They would often call me multiple times per day asking for updates on our progress. This made it challenging to complete my work in a timely manner. To resolve this issue, I scheduled weekly meetings with the client where we discussed their expectations and what I needed from them to meet those expectations.”

11. Do you have any experience with computerized systems used for analytics?

PPD uses computerized systems for analytics to help clients understand the results of their drug trials. The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you have experience with similar systems and how you used them. In your answer, explain what type of system you worked with and how it helped you complete your job duties.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of computerized systems in my previous roles. I’m most familiar with Microsoft Access, which I used to create reports on client data. I also used SQL to analyze large amounts of data and find trends that could affect a client’s trial.”

12. Describe a time where you had to step outside of your comfort zone.

When answering this question, it can be beneficial to highlight your ability to adapt and grow as a professional. This is an opportunity to discuss how you overcame challenges in the past and what skills you developed from that experience.

Example: “When I first started working at PPD, I was used to working with my own equipment and supplies. However, when I joined the company, I had to learn how to use their equipment and supplies. It took me some time to get used to using different tools and techniques, but now I feel confident using any of the resources available to me.”

13. How many times per week are you able to volunteer?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your commitment level. Volunteering shows dedication and passion, which are two important qualities in an employee. When answering this question, be honest about how many hours you can volunteer per week.

Example: “I am able to volunteer three times per week at my local animal shelter. I have been volunteering there since high school, so it’s something that I enjoy doing. It helps me feel fulfilled while also giving back to the community.”

14. Describe a time where you disagreed with a leader on the best way to accomplish something, what happened?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle disagreements and whether you’re willing to challenge authority. When answering, it’s important to show that you can disagree respectfully while also being able to complete the task at hand.

Example: “I once worked for a company where my manager wanted me to work on a project with another employee who I didn’t get along with very well. I told my manager that I would be happy to do the project but only if I could work with someone else instead of this other employee. My manager agreed and assigned me to work with someone else.”

15. How well do you communicate verbally and in writing?

PPD is a global company that requires employees to communicate effectively in writing and verbally. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your communication skills, so prepare an answer that shows you can clearly express yourself both verbally and in writing.

Example: “I have always been good at communicating with others, which has helped me develop my interpersonal skills. I am able to listen carefully to what people say and respond appropriately. In addition, I write well and often use my writing skills to create presentations for meetings or emails to colleagues. These skills help me convey information clearly and efficiently.”

16. What type of drug development projects interest you most?

This question can help the interviewer understand your interests and how they align with PPD’s services. You can answer this question by describing a specific type of drug development project you’ve worked on in the past or one that you would like to work on in the future.

Example: “I’m most interested in working on projects that involve developing new drugs for rare diseases. I find it rewarding to see patients who have been suffering from these conditions finally get relief through our research. In my last role, I helped develop a treatment for a rare form of cancer. It was very satisfying to know that we were helping people live longer, healthier lives.”

17. Can you tell me about a time when you failed at something, how did that make you feel and how did you overcome it?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s ability to overcome challenges. It also helps employers understand how they might help you succeed in their organization.

Example: “I once had an important presentation that I was nervous about, and it showed. My team helped me prepare for my next presentation by giving me constructive feedback on what I could improve. I took notes from their advice and practiced my presentation until I felt confident. The next time I presented, I received positive feedback.”

18. Tell me about a time when you took initiative without being asked.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you took initiative on a project or task that helped the company save money or improve its processes.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant in my previous role, I noticed that our team would often order too many supplies for projects. This led to us having extra materials that we didn’t need, which resulted in wasted money. So, I started keeping track of how much inventory we had on hand at the end of each day. After doing this for a few weeks, I realized that we were ordering more than we needed about 50% of the time. I brought this information to my supervisor, who then implemented a new policy where employees could only order supplies if they were running low.”

19. What steps do you take to ensure that your work is accurate?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach your work and ensure that it’s accurate. Use examples from past experiences to show that you take steps to confirm your results are correct before submitting them.

Example: “I always double-check my work for accuracy, especially when I’m working with a team. In my last position, I was tasked with creating a new formula for a product. My team and I worked together to create several formulas until we found one that met all of our client’s specifications. After testing each formula, we confirmed which one would be used in production.”

20. How do you keep yourself motivated?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality might fit in with their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about yourself that helps you stay motivated.

Example: “I keep myself motivated by setting goals for myself. I find that having a plan of action is very important when working on projects or assignments. I also like to surround myself with people who are positive and encouraging. This helps me feel more confident in my work and motivates me to do my best.”