How to Answer: Do you prefer to work in a team based position or individually?
7. Do you prefer to work in a team based position or individually?
How to Answer
In which situation are you the happiest and most productive? Talk to the interviewer about your preference when it comes to teamwork or working individually. Be sure to avoid pigeonholing yourself into one particular scenario (IE: I only like to work by myself).
Answer Example
"I have found, in the past, that I work best in an individually driven environment; however, I can certainly be productive in a team-based setting as well."
Admin
"I can work successfully in either a team-based or individual environment. I am comfortable sharing the workload and responsibility with others, or hunkering down and getting it all done myself."
Manager
"I love having a team! I thrive when I can coach or mentor a new team member, and when my knowledge can help someone else succeed in their job. I have been successful, in the past, in more independent roles as well. Could you describe for me the preference here?"
Marketing
"I am a fan of team-based positions where everyone has something unique to offer. It creates a great amount of diversity and generates ideas that may not have occurred in an individual based work environment."
Retail
"I have worked only in team-based roles so I would have to say that is my preference; however, I am an independent person as well and am sure I could thrive in either environment."
Sales
"I prefer to manage my day to day activities on an individual basis -simply because I like to work at a breakneck pace. With that said, my preference for collaboration comes after my cold calls, and I need the support of a team to generate fresh ideas for selling or to ensure all documents are up to standard."
Teacher
"I work well in a team on certain tasks and then when it comes to my time in the classroom, I prefer to work on an individual basis. I am confident in my abilities as a teacher and my lesson plans are highly organized."