How to Answer: What role do you prefer to play as part of a larger team? Do you have the ability to be flexible and adaptive when working as part of a team?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Human Resources job interview.
3. What role do you prefer to play as part of a larger team? Do you have the ability to be flexible and adaptive when working as part of a team?
How to Answer
As a Human Resources professional, you know that you need to have the ability to lead a team and take direction from others as part of a team. Your interviewer will ideally be looking to hear that you can comfortably handle any role you would play as part of the team at their organization. As you answer this question, talk about your experience in comfort in any roles within a team and give examples of times you've played different roles on teams throughout your career. No matter how you answer this question, make sure that your interviewer gets a clear understanding that they would be hiring the ultimate team player if they offered you the job.
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 26th, 2021
Entry Level
"As a new graduate, my preferred role in a team setting would be the implementer who gets things done. I can take direction, do my research and get working on a project in short order. I am a very open communicator that wouldn't hesitate to ask clarifying questions and give regular updates on my progress. I would also bring the ability to adjust on the fly if needed. I also have some team leadership experience during my college years and in my participation in various athletics throughout my youth."
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 26th, 2021
Answer Example
"As a natural leader, I do prefer to be the leader and manager of larger work teams and project teams. I take a hands-on approach when leading teams and always try to lead by example in the work that I perform with the team. I have a great ability to coordinate the actions and work of others on the team to ensure that tasks stay on track. With that said, I am also very comfortable in being the worker bee and taking direction as part of a larger team effort. In my current role last year, I did just that as part of a team that was put together to develop ways for our product line to expand into new markets. As the HR chair at that team table, I was tasked with the workforce aspect of that project and ultimately reported up to the chair of that work team."
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 26th, 2021