Ability To Work Collaboratively

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2015 Survey “the ability to work in a team structure” tied with leadership skills as the #1 most attractive job skill for prospective employers, with 77.8% seeking both of these qualities.

Yes, calling yourself a “team player” is a big cliche, but it has become a big cliche or a reason. Hiring managers want to hear that you can get along with others in a professional setting.

Working well as a member of a team requires a combination of qualities — communication skills (see above), being open to collaboration, a generally positive attitude, and the ability to deal with different personalities (especially the “demanding” ones).

Why is Teamwork so Important for Today’s Employers?

Almost every job requires employees to collaborate, or at least get along, with a diverse group of humans. This makes the ability to work with others a highly-valued trait for employers.

We’ve all worked with people who didn’t “play well with others”— and it can really have a negative effect on both productivity and morale.

A team player is able to work with different personalities, can work through disagreements productively, and makes his or her individual preferences secondary to achieving the goals of the team.

Employers like to see evidence of your ability to work in teams when reading through your resume and cover letter or listening to your answers in interviews. For a new graduate or junior-level candidate, it’s important to show that you’ll be able to get along in the office environment.

If you haven’t yet had many opportunities to work on a team in a work setting, be prepared to talk about academic group projects or extracurricular team experiences. You want to show that you can jump right in and get along with your coworkers and clients.

What Makes a Good Team Player?

Here are a few qualities that make someone easy to work with as a member of a group:

• Focus on results, not who gets credit
• Ability to listen
• Respect for all group members
• Appreciation of the perspectives of others
• Communication skills (see above)
• Ability to take constructive feedback
• Reliability and work ethic

Teamwork may be one of your strengths if

• Coworkers are constantly asking to run ideas by you
• People frequently ask you to join their projects
• You’re often invited to lunch with coworkers to talk shop
• You are regularly called upon to provide an objective opinion or mediate disagreements
• You can find a way to connect with just about anybody

Sample Teamwork Interview Questions

• Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team.
• Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult person.
• Share an example of a group you’ve worked well with (or not so well with).
• Have you ever had a conflict with a coworker?
• Tell me about constructive feedback you’ve received.