Recruiting Process
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about the recruiting process at PPD.

When you submit your resume using our electronic submission process you will be redirected to a screen confirming our receipt of your resume. That means a PPD recruiter has access to your information as part of our database. Your resume will be compared to the criteria for the position you have selected. If you are chosen as a candidate, one of our recruiters will contact you. If there is no current position that is a good fit for your skills, your resume will be retained in our database and matched against other open positions.

If you have applied for a position in the United States or Canada, we keep your resume in our database for six months. If you have applied for a position elsewhere in the world, your resume will be held on file for two years. You can request at any time that your resume be taken out of our database.
If your resume is a good match for an open position, you will be contacted for a preliminary telephone interview within a few weeks. If your skills are not a match for current positions, your resume will be kept in our database. Unfortunately, given the high volume of resumes we receive, we are not able to contact all applicants personally. However, to confirm we have received your application, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to you.
The best way to learn about open positions is to visit our career opportunities page often. Open positions are updated daily. To receive e-mail alerts about positions matching your profile, please go to the Careers landing page, choose your region from the drop-down menus and create an account. PPD also has a comprehensive college recruiting program as well as well-established relationships with top universities.

To apply for open positions, submit your resume using our online submission process.

Your resume will be compared to the criteria for the position you selected. If you are chosen as a candidate, one of our recruiters will contact you. If there is no current position that is a good fit for your skills, your resume will be retained in our database and matched against other open positions.
Please visit the Locations section of the PPD Web site.

There are several important steps to take in preparation for your interview at PPD:

  • Research the company
  • Be well rested
  • Arrive on site about 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time
  • Bring several copies of your resume/curriculum vitae (CV) to distribute, if necessary
  • Be prepared to answer questions related to your experience, education, skills, certifications and training
  • Think about how accurately your answers to those questions (above) convey your experience and skills
  • Make a list of questions you would like to ask about the position, career development or the company
  • Finally, just relax and be confident. If you are invited to a face-to-face interview at PPD, you are already among the best candidates in your field.
We provide an online calender of our global recruiting events.
If you experience any difficulty with our Web site while searching for jobs or submitting your resume, please contact the PPD webmaster to report the problem.

PPD welcomes all referrals. You may use the Send This Job to a Friend link on the right-hand side of the position description page. After clicking on the link, you’ll be asked to provide your and your friend’s e-mail addresses. An e-mail from PPD containing a link to our careers section will be sent to your friend; the e-mail will note that you are referring this position to him/her.

You can update your electronic resume on file with PPD at any time through our Web site. Please keep your login information in a secure place. You can log in to access your profile and update your resume in our database.

You can track the positions for which you have applied using our online database and login information. To confirm we have received your application, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. In addition, the position will be posted in your profile with the notation "submit." If your resume is a good match for an open position, you will be contacted for a preliminary telephone interview within a few weeks. At that point, your recruiter will explain the remainder of the process. If your skills are not a match for a current position, your resume will be kept in our database. You will also notice the position is no longer listed in your profile.

If you have a question that is not addressed in this FAQ, please submit a question to us and we will be happy to respond.

PPD has a preferred supplier list for recruitment agencies and search firms. While we review it periodically, we are not currently considering adding any new suppliers. To ensure that our preferred suppliers and candidates receive the best service possible, our policy determines that we do not accept unsolicited resumes/CVs.

If you would still like to contact PPD about becoming a recruitment partner for permanent staff, please submit your contact details.

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