P&G

Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, the American multinational corporation Procter & Gamble (P&G) specializes in everyday consumer goods, such as hygiene and beauty products. With a portfolio of 65 well-known brands available in 180 countries, the company is constantly recruiting new talent. Learn more about Procter and Gamble's recruiting process, assessments, and other useful information for candidates.

About P&G

William Procter, born in England, was originally a candlemaker; James Gamble, born in Ireland, was a soap maker. Both emigrated separately from Great Britain to the United States in Cincinnati, Ohio and met when they married two sisters, whose father convinced them to become business partners. Thus Procter & Gamble was born in 1837. Their expansion was rapid and by 1858, the company had 80 employees and over a million dollars in profits. The American Civil War (1861-1865) allowed them to expand even further by obtaining contracts for their products with the Union Army.

Today, P&G has more than 110,000 employees, 65 brands sold in 180 countries, 5 billion customers worldwide and annual sales of over $65 billion.

P&G Culture

According to P&G, the company's goal is to make life better, not only within the company but for people around the world. Ever since the company's inception they have been committed to do the best for others, whether it be their employees, customers, or general public. Implementing a model named "Citizenship", the company aspires to impact individuals and the world in a positive way. This commitment is divided into five categories:

Ethics & Corporate Responsibility

P&G's culture is based on three elements: Purpose, Values and Principles. These form the foundation of the company and have been present since the beginning, over 180 years ago. Over the generations, the company has grown around these elements to become a renowned multinational company.

Purpose: To provide consumers with superior products and services.

Values: P&G values five core values:

  • Integrity
  • Leadership
  • Ownership
  • Passion for Winning
  • Trust

Principles: P&G value five principles.

  • We Show Respect for All Individuals
  • The Interests of the Company and the Individual Are Inseparable
  • We Are Strategically Focused in Our Work
  • Innovation is the Cornerstone of Our Success
  • We Value Mastery
  • We Seek to Be the Best
  • We Are Externally Focused
  • Mutual Interdependency is a Way of Life

To learn more about the culture of P&G, visit the following page.

Community Impact

The company's slogan is: To be "A Force for Good and A Force for Growth", meaning P&G is committed to improving the health and well-being of communities around the world. Many programs exist:

  • Global programs: P&G created the CSDW (Children's Safe Drinking Water) program: Distribution of water purification packages in third world countries.
  • The various brands owned by P&G are involved in many regional efforts to improve the lives of citizens.
  • The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on communities and consumers. P&G, in collaboration with humanitarian organizations, has helped to assist and provide basic necessities to the communities most impacted by the pandemic.

To learn more about P&G's Community Impact, visit the following page.

Diversity & Inclusion

P&G is committed to creating a more inclusive world for all, both inside and outside their offices. They are committed to investing effort in bringing people together around their differences by sharing common values and goals, as well as providing equal accessibility for all, including people with disabilities.

To learn more about P&G's Diversity & Inclusion efforts, visit the following page.

Gender Equality

P&G strives towards an egalitarian world in which gender bias no longer exists and all individuals are represented equally.

To learn more about P&G's Gender Equality efforts, visit the following page.

Environmental Sustainability

P&G aspires to significantly improve its environmental commitment, with the planning and implementation of several programs. Two such programs are the Net Zero Ambition By 2040 plan, according to which they aspire to completely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from their entire production process by 2040, and the Ambition 2030 project, which aims to reduce their environmental footprint and cut carbon emissions by 2030.

To learn more about P&G's Environmental Sustainability efforts, visit the following page.

Career Areas

P&G has 65 brands in over 180 countries, with over 110,000 employees. Here are the different Career areas available at P&G.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Career Ideas

Candidate Profiles

P&G offers positions for different types of career levels and candidate profiles, including students and entry level, experienced candidates, and veterans. Some countries also offer internships. Explore all the suitable available positions for you on the following page.

Benefits

P&G offers many benefits to its employees:

  • In many countries, employees receive competitive medical insurance packages as well as wellness programs, such as access to gyms and fitness centers, relaxation classes and social clubs.
  • P&G offers competitive salaries to its employees, with many opportunities for raises. The financial benefits can also include interest-free loans, a retirement plan, a stock purchase plan, and financial education.
  • P&G employees can arrange flexible or home-based work hours, as well as paid time off, which increases over the years. Employees can also participate in volunteer programs, consistent with the company's culture and principles.
  • P&G members have generous parental leave, family group life insurance, health insurance and dedicated support for childcare and elder care. 

P&G Hiring Process

P&G Hiring Process Steps

The recruitment process at P&G is composed of four steps: 1) Application 2) Assessment(s) 3) Interview and 4) Job offer. The goal of the process is to hire employees whose profile matches the company's culture as well as the career path desired by the candidates. Of course, P&G strives to provide equal opportunities for all applicants.

Application

The first step in the recruitment process at P&G is the application (as with most companies). This is usually done online and is the same for all applicants, whether they are students, graduates looking for full-time positions or employees with experience. The purpose of this step is to allow recruiters to discover your profile, i.e., your level of education and your resume. You will also be asked to complete a questionnaire in which there are questions specific to the skills required for the role you are applying for. Complete the application in a way that highlights your qualities and abilities for the position.

P&G Application FAQ

Where can I apply?

All job opportunities at P&G can be found at the following link. You can search for a job by country, language or by choosing a keyword. You will then get a list of all available jobs that match your request. You can also filter the results using the different options available on the right side of the page.

How do I know if I have completed all the steps in the application process?

YYou will receive an email following completion of each step of the application process, detailing your current status and the tasks and steps you still have to complete. You can also check your status directly using your P&G site account under "My Jobpage." If you have not received any emails, consider checking your "spam" folder. If your application is selected, you will be contacted to participate in the next step of the recruitment process.

How do I edit the information I have filled out in my application?

In order to edit your account information:

  1. Log in to your account at http://www.pgcareers.com
  2. Click on "My Account Options" at the top of the page
  3. Click "Edit" next to the section you wish to change
What if my university/college does not appear on the drop-down list of places of education?

If your place of education does not appear in the list, choose the "Not in list" option from the drop-down list.

Can I get feedback on my application?

Getting feedback is not possible at P&G due to the large number of applicants applying for each job.

Which candidate will be considered for a job at a specific P&G location?

New hires are hired for jobs in locations that P&G believes will allow them to reach their full potential. In addition, P&G requires candidates for various positions to be legally entitled to work in the country in which the position is located, i.e., they must not have any restrictions regarding the type of work, work hours, location, or employer.

P&G Online Assessments

Most candidates feel the need to prepare for the various assessments that are part of P&G's recruitment process. There are three types of assessments at P&G: Interactive cognitive tests, personality, and Situational Judgement tests (SJT). What do these different tests consist of? On the following page you will find concise descriptions and explanations regarding each type, along with free sample questions, and the option to purchase a complete preparation pack.

Peak Performance Assessment

The Peak Performance Assessment is a personality and situational judgment test combined into one comprehensive exam lasting about 20 minutes. The purpose of the test is to examine the background and experience of the candidates to see if their personal profile matches the needs of the company and the position.

Name of the testPeak Performance Assessment
Type of testPersonality Test/Situational Judgment Test
Number of sections4 sections
Length of testNo limit but about 20 minutes
Type of questionsMCQ, Rating Questions
Number of questions64 questions
Where to take the test?Online
PreparationStart Practicing now

This assessment is based on the Peak Performance Factors:

P&G Peak Performance Factors

It is important to keep these factors in mind, as well as P&G's Purpose, Values and Principles (PVP), when taking the Peak Performance Assessment. Answer each question according to your principles, but also according to those of the company, because the profiles they are looking for are those that correspond with the ideals and culture of the company.

Practice Free Peak Performance Assessment Questions

When choosing candidates to form a work force, the people you have selected are those who…

  1. Have different strengths
  2. Have the most technical expertise
  3. Cooperate with each other
  4. Follow instructions
  5. Think like you

When a customer complains about a product you sold him yesterday, you…

  1. Listen and let him explain why he needs to be refund
  2. Tell him that you are sorry and give him a refund
  3. Call your boss
  4. Argue with him
  5. Take his details and tell him you'll get back to him later

In another section of the test, you will be asked to answer scale Rating Scale Questions. In this case, you are asked to rate one or more statements using a sliding scale. You must choose the rating that most closely matches your judgment for each question by dragging the slider under the selected rating. The different evaluation options are:

  • Very Untrue
  • Somewhat Untrue
  • Somewhat True
  • Very True

Example of Rating Question:

I like it when others follow my direction.

Very UntrueSomewhat UntrueSomewhat TrueVery True

I strive for constant change.

Very UntrueSomewhat UntrueSomewhat TrueVery True

I enjoy being the focus of the group.

Very UntrueSomewhat UntrueSomewhat TrueVery True

I like to try different ways of doing things.

Very UntrueSomewhat UntrueSomewhat TrueVery True

It is important for me to be successful.

Very UntrueSomewhat UntrueSomewhat TrueVery True

For more Peak Assessment Questions Practice tests, go to our complete preparation pack.

Interactive Assessment

Once you have successfully completed the Peak Performance Assessment, you will be asked to complete the Interactive Assessments. These are three tests presented in the form of games, belonging to Aon - the smartPredict series. The tests include:

  • Switch Challenge
  • Digit Challenge
  • Grid Challenge 
TestSwitch ChallengeDigit ChallengeGrid Challenge
Type of testLogical ReasoningNumerical ReasoningSpatial Reasoning
Duration of the testAbout 6 minutesAbout 6 minutesAbout 12 minutes
Type of questionsGame - only one answer possibleGame - multiple answers possibleSpeed game
Number of questionsAdaptive - Multiple levels
Where to take the test?Computer/Telephone
PreparationStart Practicing now

Switch Challenge

The Switch Challenge measures the candidates' ability to draw logical conclusions. For each exercise, only one answer is possible. The candidate's task in this assessment is to identify which branch of the tube the top symbols passed through.

Instructions:

Above the tube are four different symbols in their original order. Within the tube are three different branches, each with a series of numbers from 1 to 4 in a different order. The numbers in each branch represent the symbols above the tube. The order of the numbers represents the position of the symbols above the tube. 

This exercise is adaptive and has several levels. It lasts about 6 minutes.

Sample Level 1 question:

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Switch Challenge Sample Question Level 1
Answer and explanation

In this exercise, we can see that the right answer is the "2134" in the middle.

We can see here that whereas above the tube the first symbol was the circle and the second was the plus sign, below the tube these two symbols have switched places; the plus sign is now first in the row and the circle appears second. The triangle and square have stayed in the exact same spots.

Therefore, the circle is represented by the number 1, plus = 2, triangle = 3, and square = 4. 

Example of a more advanced question:

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Switch Challenge Sample Question Advanced Level
Answer and explanation

In this example (corresponding to a level 13 question), we can see that the order of the numbers changes twice. The correct answer here is "1423".

Indeed, the symbols must be reordered once according to the numbers. We then get:

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Switch Challenge Sample Question Advanced Level Answer

Having completed this first step, you can now continue to solve the exercise in the same way as a simpler exercise:

You can see that the triangle "number 1" remains in first place, the "plus" sign is still represented by number 4, the circle is represented by number 2 and finally the square, represented by number 3.

For those who have trouble picturing the figures mentally, the best way to solve the question is to quickly draw the different steps and sub-steps.

Once you have chosen a branch, click on the small padlock symbol to move on to the next level. You can see which level you are on at the top right of your screen.

Want to practice the Switch Challenge exercises? Go to our Practice Test Online!

Digit Challenge

The Digit Challenge assesses your numerical reasoning skills by confronting you with equations of all types. You have 9 numbers (from 1 to 9) which you can only use once, presented on a keyboard resembling that of a calculator. In this exercise, several answers may be correct. This assessment also takes about six minutes and has different levels of difficulty.

Example of a Level 5 Exercise

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Digit Challenge Sample Question Level 5 Exercise
Answer and explanation

Here there is only one correct answer: 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 = 30

Example of a More Advanced Exercise (Level 15)

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Digit Challenge Sample Question Level 15 Exercise
Answer and explanation

In this exercise several answers are possible:

(6+5) × 2 + 8 = 30
(6+7) × 2 + 4 = 30
(6+1) × 3 + 9 = 30

Example of a Very High-Level Exercise

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Digit Challenge Sample Question High Level Exercise
Answer and explanation

In this exercise, only one answer is possible:

(8) × (7) × (5) - (9) = 271

Grid Challenge

The Grid Challenge is a test built to assess your spatial reasoning and memorization skills together. The test takes roughly 12 minutes and includes 3 rounds which each take about 4 minutes to complete, each with questions on multiple levels. The different levels alternate memorization and spatial reasoning exercises, as follows:

  1. Memorization
  2. Spatial reasoning
  3. Memorization
  4. Spatial reasoning
  5. Memorization
  6. Spatial reasoning
  7. Memorization

These steps can be repeated between 2 and 5 times.

Description of the Different Exercises

Memorization: In this exercise you are presented with an image showing a number of randomly arranged dot, with a single-colored dot. You have a few seconds to observe the image and try to memorize the position of the colored dot, which you will be asked about at the end of the exercise. Memory exercises appear between each spatial reasoning exercise, so you will have to memorize the position of several points.

Spatial symmetry (First Round): In this exercise, you are presented with a grid with a dividing line in the middle. On each side of the line appear squares that make up a shape. It's up to you to determine whether the two shapes reflect each other, as in a mirror, or not. 

Spatial Rotation (Second Round): In this exercise, two shapes that are also made up of squares are shown next to each other. You must determine if both shapes are the same and the only difference is that one has been rotated, or if they are altogether different shapes.

Addition/Subtraction (Third Round): In this exercise, your task is to determine whether the elements in the top left and right squares joined together, form the bottom shape. Be careful, the exercise may require subtraction of the shapes instead of addition. Pay extra attention to the statement!

In the following example, including only one round and 3 repetitions, we combine the three spatial reasoning exercises.

Example

1. Memorization

Memorize the position of the colored dot.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Grid Challenge Sample Question Memorization

2. Spatial symmetry

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Grid Challenge Sample Question Spatial Symmetry

2. Memorization

Memorize the position of the colored dot (2nd dot).

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Grid Challenge Sample Question Memorization

3. Spatial rotation

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Grid Challenge Sample Question Spatial Rotation

3. Memorization

Memorize the position of the colored dot (number 3).

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Grid Challenge Sample Question Memorization

4. Spatial addition

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Grid Challenge Sample Question Spatial Addition

4. Memorization

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Grid Challenge Sample Question Memorization

Choose the position of the three colored dots in the order of the questions in which they appeared.

Answer and explanation

2. No, the two shapes are not symmetrical - they do not overlap when flipped over.
4. Yes, the two shapes are the same - the shape on the right has been rotated 90 degrees to the right.
6. No, the two shapes joined together do not form the bottom shape.

7. Memorization

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Grid Challenge Sample Question Memorization

Sales Virtual Job Preview

The P&G Sales Virtual Job Preview is a Situational Judgment Test used to test candidates applying for sales-related roles. Its purpose is to assess your abilities, knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of sales. This information is then used to verify your suitability for the position for which you have applied.

The test is divided into six exercises and takes approximately 60 minutes to complete (although there is no time limit). The test is presented in the form of a slide show with pictures and exercises. After starting the assessment, you can exit and continue later by reusing the link that was sent to you.

Before taking the Sales Virtual Job Preview test, you should consider some important details:

  • You cannot go back for most exercises; once you have answered a question and continued to the next you will not be able to change your answer.
  • Use only the navigation keys that appear on the presentation itself and not the back, forward, or refresh keys on your computer. They are not compatible with the test and may cause an error if you use them.
  • We recommend that you have scrap paper, a pen, and a calculator available nearby during your test.
  • Take the assessment alone without assistance - remember that you may be asked to retake the test under supervision if you proceed to the next step.
  • The test contains audio explanations and dialogues. However, any audio is also transcribed, and the text will appear in the presentation.
  • Taking this test requires concentration and therefore you should arrange to take it in a suitable environment. If you need special accommodations in order to take the assessment, contact P&G and add your request at the following link.

Test Description

TestType of testTest durationQuestion typesNumber of questionsWhere to take the test?Preparation
Work with Customers and ColleaguesSituational Judgement12 minutesMost/Least9 questionsOnlineStart practicing now
Analyze your BusinessAnalyze reports12 minutesMCQ8 questions
Manage Your WeekOrder tasks12 minutesDrag answers2 situation sets
What Drives YouSituational Judgement3 minutesChoose one statement25 questions
Tell Us Your StoryBackground check3 minutesMCQ23 questions
Describe Your ApproachPersonality test3 minutesChoose one statement23 questions
Total 45-60 minutes 90 questions  

The first part of the test consists of a Realistic Job Preview, in which you will receive information about the company and the sales positions. There are no questions in this section.

Work with Customers and Colleagues

The first exercise is a situational judgment test consisting of 9 questions and lasts approximately 12 minutes. Here you will be presented with several situations you must decide how to deal with, as a member of a sales team. These situations will be presented to you in the form of emails and include the following topics: project challenges, customer requests, and competing deadlines. It is up to you to decide how to respond to each of these situations, by choosing which of the four suggestions you would be most likely to choose (Most) and the least (Least).

Analyze your Business

This exercise contains 8 questions and also takes about 12 minutes to complete. Here you play the role of a member of a sales team dealing with the Personal Care category at Benchmark Stores, a large regional supermarket. Your task is to analyze various reports in order to answer questions asked by your manager on topics such as sales trends, competitor performance, and opportunities to improve sales in the store. You must be able to analyze tables and graphs with mathematical data.

Manage Your Week

This exercise lasts about 12 minutes and consists of two sets of questions. Your task is to plan your schedule by ordering the different tasks you need to do, from the most urgent to the least urgent, and the time you believe is needed to complete each task.

What Drives You

This 3-minute exercise consists of 25 quick questions. Choose between two statements by clicking on the one that best describes you. The questions focus on your preferred type of work environment, what motivates you, and your aspirations for the position you are applying for.

Tell Us Your Story

In this 3-minute, 23-question exercise, you are required to answer questions about your work experience and background. Choose from several options to describe your work history.

Describe Your Approach

This 3-minute, 23-question exercise is similar to a quick personality test. In each question you will be presented with two different statements, and you must choose which of them you most identify with. These statements are used to determine your working style and approach.

Interviews

The interview(s) at P&G are very important and constitute an integral part of the recruitment process. They allow the company to assess a candidate's compatibility with the company's culture, which is very important at P&G. Once you have successfully passed the online assessments, you will be contacted for an interview. The first interview may be done via phone, at a P&G office, at a conference, or on campus, and may include one-three interviewers. Regardless of the location or number of interviewers, this appointment gives you the opportunity to meet people who have been with P&G for many years, as well as newer employees, allowing you to see how the company operates. Most interviews last between 45-60 minutes, however there is no mandatory time limit.

Please note that due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and until further notice, all interviews are conducted virtually, via webcam.

More information can be found in the FAQ section.

During the interview, the interviewers will ask you questions intended to assess your past work experience as well as the way you typically operate at work, in order to determine if your principles and methods match those of the company. These questions are fairly standard for most companies, as you can see from the examples below. In order to answer the questions as completely as possible, we recommend that you use the STAR method, which is described and explained on the next page.

The examples you use to answer the questions do not necessarily have to relate to your education or past career. Other experiences, such as volunteer work, military service, or other types of involvements in organizations, can also be used in order to demonstrate your behavior and work methods. If you have no previous work experience, for example, recruiters will ask you hypothetical questions about what you would do in certain work situations.

Remember that the interview is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the position and the company. Asking questions demonstrates your interest and seriousness about the position you are applying for and is therefore highly recommended.

Sample P&G Interview Questions

  • Provide an example of a situation in which you worked as part of a team.
  • Provide an example of a situation in which you created something new.
  • How would you handle a difficult project assigned to you by your boss?
  • Recall a situation in which you had to plan and organize a complex project or task.
  • Recall a situation in which you had to solve a work-related problem and did not have an immediate solution.
  • Recall a situation in which you had to persuade others of your way of thinking.
  • Recall a situation in which you had to make a difficult decision at work.
  • What would you do if you were given a task at work but could not complete it?
  • If you were part of a team in which different members disagreed, how would you go about solving the problem in order to get everyone to work together successfully?

Tips and Tricks for the Interview

  • As with any job offer, it is important to prepare yourself before the interview. With P&G it is especially important to learn about the company, its history, culture, values, and principles. Then, find out as much as you can about the position you are applying for. What does it involve? What are the day-to-day tasks? What would be your responsibilities? The more you know about the position, the better prepared you will be to answer the questions on the day of the interview. You can also watch videos created by P&G in order to demonstrate the day-to-day lives of their employees.
  • Each individual working at P&G brings something unique to the company. Highlight your personal contribution, based on your experience that is closest to the role you are applying for. Provide concrete examples in your resume, citing results and accomplishments that unequivocally demonstrate your expertise and career path. You can even prepare a portfolio with examples of your previous work.
  • Prepare your answers to the example questions we have provided, based on the STAR method.
  • Be confident in yourself; don't be afraid to talk about your achievements and experience. Be sure to demonstrate your willingness to work hard to succeed in the position for which you are applying.

Offer

P&G takes the entire recruiting process very seriously and carefully consider the decision to offer a position to a certain candidate. In some cases, a candidate may receive a job offer in the mail within a week; for other positions this step may take much longer. The length of time between your interview and the time P&G contacts you to let you know whether your application has been accepted is not indicative of your success at the interview. It depends on many things; the urgency of filling the position, the volume of applicants, the location of the position and more.

FAQ

How does the online interview work?

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all interviews are currently being conducted virtually. The main program used is Microsoft Teams, so it is important that you know how to use it before the interview. Set up in a quiet environment where you can be talk without a mask. It is recommended that you log in 10 minutes before the start of the interview to ensure that everything is working properly. In case of technical problems, the interviewers are there to help you, so don't worry. Also, don't hesitate to ask the interviewers to repeat a question in case you didn't hear or understand it.

Go to the next page for more information on virtual interviews.

What if I need to reschedule an interview?

It is entirely possible to reschedule an interview via P&G's website. Click on the "Reschedule" button on the following page and fill in the required information.

How long does it take for P&G to assess the online assessment?

P&G is committed to providing a response to candidates within 30 days of completing the online assessment, as stated in the email the candidate receives directly after completion of the tests. However, the results can also come much faster. The whole recruitment process can take about six months.

Is there any deadline to take the test after receiving the online assessment link?

A specific deadline is not specified, but we recommend that you take the test fairly soon after receiving it. If you wait too long, another candidate may be considered for the position before you.

What does the 30 days message mean?

The 30-day email that the candidate receives after completing the online assessment means that P&G will contact the candidate within 30 days to provide a positive or negative response.

Is there a "passing grade"?

There is a passing grade, but it is not made common knowledge. If you want to get a high score and move on to the next steps after the online assessment, it is best to prepare for this type of test, using our complete preparation pack here.

What do the different "levels" of the Digit Challenge Test mean?

The different levels of the test have increasingly higher levels of computational difficulty. You don't necessarily have to answer correctly in order to increase the level of the questions. You should aim to answer the questions correctly, even if this means answering more slowly.

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