How to Answer: Tell me about a time you worked on a team.
24. Tell me about a time you worked on a team.
How to Answer
Your job may be independent by nature, but at some point in your career or post-secondary experience, you have worked as part of a team. Give the interviewer an example of a time when you worked in a group setting. Outline the role that you took in the group and remember to discuss a bit about the project. Highlight your most significant success in this team. Lastly, explain how your teamwork capabilities will help you to succeed in this role.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"In my current position we all work as a group during year-end. Everyone pulls a few overtime shifts, and we organize our books together. In these instances, I am the planner of the group, so I establish our process, and we go from there. Most of my daily work is quite independent, so it's nice to have this team experience once in a while, and I look forward to furthering teamwork experiences with your organization. I can easily take the lead when it comes to keeping the group organized."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Admin
"I volunteer at the animal shelter on weekends which requires a great amount of teamwork, especially when we have open houses. The public will come and check out the animals, and hopefully put in applications for adoption. We need to ensure the animals are all clean, happy, and ready to be adopted! This end-goal means we must maintain a positive attitude, making the experience great for the people who come in. I will bring this same excitement and positivity to any team-based activity at Company ABC."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Manager
"I have led a team of 2 - 40 employees for the past ten years, so my team-based experience is vast. Currently, my team of 40 includes production operators, quality assurance techs, and general laborers. I ensure the team works cohesively by offering an open-door policy and spending a great deal of my day on the floor, observing and helping. My hands-on approach will be helpful in your environment as well since you mentioned your need to improve morale on the production floor."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Marketing
"Marketing is very team-based, which I appreciate. In my current role, when we take on a new client, we meet as a group to whiteboard ideas. Once we have an action plan, we split and get our work done independently. Starting a project as a group effort is an excellent way to boost morale and create collaborative co-worker relationships. I look forward to collaborating with your talented team."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Retail
"In my current position, we work as a team when receiving new merchandise. We have one person unpacking the stock, another yelling out SKU numbers, another member cross-checking those SKU's with our online inventory system, and two others hanging and steaming the new product. This project is done, of course, after the store has closed for the day. The system is seamless, and I look forward to introducing this system to the team here at Company ABC."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Sales
"My current team is small - just myself, and my sales assistant. We work as a team by having a call every morning to review my travel schedule, client calls, and future bookings. I believe that exceptional teamwork needs trust and clear communication, all factors that I look forward to bringing with me to your company."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Teacher
"As an educator, much of what I do is independent, since I deliver lesson plans in my classroom, and do not have a TA. We do collaborate when it comes to group school activities, or field trips, however. These events are fun because they bring a more social aspect not always present at school. As a team member, I am easy going. I take the initiative and add a lot of positive energy to a situation."
Written by Rachelle Enns