Your qualifications and work experience aren’t enough to land you a job. In fact, hiring managers generally place a lot of importance on a candidate’s performance in the job interview when making a hiring decision.
This, of course, is enough to make interviews all the more nail-bitingly terrifying, but by preparing well in advance for tough interview questions, you can remove a lot of the pressure.
One such question is “Are you a team player?”
Read on to find out why interviewers ask this question and how to provide an answer that will blow their socks off and get you the job.
Why hiring managers ask about your teamwork skills
Hiring managers and recruiters don’t take 30 minutes or so out of their pack-full schedules to ask you random questions for no apparent reason. Every question you’re asked in an interview has a carefully calculated purpose.
Being asked whether you’re a team player — and the response it elicits — helps employers determine whether you’re easy to get along with, and able to collaborate and communicate with others effectively. This, basically, indicates your suitability to the role.
After all, teamwork is essential in most work environments. Few jobs are performed in isolation, and even when they are, they still require some form of collaboration. Whether you’re applying for an entry-level position or a managerial role, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate your ability to generate ideas, execute projects, communicate issues and overcome problems with others.
Variations of “Are you a team player?”
Similar questions which provide opportunities to demonstrate your team player skills include:
- “Do you prefer teamwork or working independently?”
- “Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager?”
- “Do you like working in a team?”
- “What strategies do you use to motivate your team?”
- “How would you describe your ability to work as part of a team?”
How to answer “Are you a team player?”
Like with all other questions you’re likely to be asked in an interview, putting an answer together that will effectively demonstrate your teamwork skills can be a bit of a challenge — even for the veteran interviewee. But by following the tips below, you’ll be able to hit this tough interview question right out of the park.
1. Read the job description
You’ll have, hopefully, already done this when you were putting your résumé and cover letter together, but you’ll need to go over it once more to freshen your memory and to try to identify just what exactly “teamwork” means to the company you’re applying to.
Is it simply the ability to get along in a professional environment, or does it involve pitching in and playing many different roles? Once you’ve figured this out, you’ll be able to craft your answer around what the company is looking for in candidates.
You might also want to look at the company website’s “About” and “Careers” pages to gain a better understanding of their culture, as well as check out company reviews on sites like Glassdoor.
2. Use recent examples
It’s important to stick to the recent past when looking for a story to relate your answer to. Having said that, however, it’s alright to go further back if a story is particularly impressive.
Meanwhile, if you’re new to the world of work, you can use examples from school projects, work experience placements, volunteer work or extracurricular activities.
3. Make it relevant
Make sure you give examples that are relevant to the company and the particular job you’re applying for. After all, you want to show employers how you can put your teamwork skills to good use and how the company will benefit from them.
4. Don’t memorize a script
Rather than just narrating a scripted answer you learned off by heart, highlight your story in a bulleted list, and use the main points to craft a more conversational response. A robotic and rehearsed answer will simply fail to impress.
5. Be honest
Don’t exaggerate or downright lie about your teamwork skills, or lack thereof — you will get caught and, when you do, it definitely won’t make you look good.
Even if you’re a bit of a lone wolf, it’s best to say something like: “Although I generally prefer working alone, I understand the importance of teamwork and I’m able to successfully work with others when necessary.”
6. Avoid clichés
Teamwork is generally synonymous with sports, so your first instinct may be to offer a sports analogy for your answer. The best advice here would be: don’t. It’s corny and extremely commonplace, and as a result, you’ll instantly lose credibility.
7. Relax
Although easier said than done, you should try to remain calm throughout your interview. Excessive stress, after all, can negatively impact your performance and ruin your chances of landing the job.
8. Use the STAR technique
Open with a brief description of the Situation and context of the story; explain the Task you had to complete describing any specific challenges; mention the specific Actions you took to complete the task; and conclude with the Result of your efforts.
Example answers
Below is a selection of some of the best answers to this question which you can use for inspiration when crafting your own response:
1. You’re collaborative and open to ideas
I work best in collaborative environments. For example, in my previous role, I worked with a cross-functional team to develop a marketing campaign. I believe communication is key, so I always encourage open dialogue to ensure everyone’s ideas are heard. I’m also adaptable and ready to take on different roles within the team, whether it’s leading a project or supporting others.
2. You strike a balance between independence and teamwork
Yes, I’m a strong team player who also knows how to work independently when needed. During a major project, I led a small group while contributing to the overall goal, ensuring that deadlines were met without sacrificing quality. I believe it’s crucial to balance individual responsibility with teamwork for success.
3. You’re an active contributor in team projects
Absolutely! I thrive when working with others. In my last position, I was part of a team that developed a new training program. I contributed my expertise in instructional design while also learning from others’ insights. I believe my proactive communication and problem-solving skills make me an asset in any team.
4. You foster a positive team environment
Being a team player is about more than just working together; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued. I make it a point to recognize team members’ strengths and encourage collaboration. In my last job, this approach helped us exceed our sales targets by 15%.
5. You’re committed to shared goals
I’ve always prioritized teamwork, and I believe in working toward common goals. On a software development project, I collaborated closely with engineers, designers and product managers to ensure smooth implementation. I see teamwork as crucial for innovation and success, which is why I actively contribute and listen to my teammates.
What not to say in your answer
We’ve looked at how to go about answering “Are you a team player?” and shared some example responses for inspiration. But what are some things you should avoid saying?
- “I prefer to work alone”. This can make you appear unwilling to collaborate or adapt to team environments, which is essential in most jobs. Even if you enjoy solo work, it’s better to highlight your ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- “I don’t like relying on others”. This suggests that you may lack trust in your colleagues or that you struggle with delegation. A successful team requires interdependence, so it’s better to mention how you contribute and trust team dynamics.
- “I’ll only do what’s in my job description”. This response can imply inflexibility and an unwillingness to help out when needed. Teams often require members to go beyond their defined roles, so it’s better to express your adaptability and willingness to contribute to shared goals.
Final thoughts
Have you ever been asked about your teamwork skills in a job interview? How did you respond and were the interviewers impressed with your answer? Join the conversation down below and share your experiences and advice with us — you never know: you might just help someone land a job!
Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out our interview preparation guide as well as our collection of the most common questions (and how to answer them).
This article is a partial update of an earlier version originally published in July 2015.
