This question is designed to learn about how well you work as part of a team, collaborate with others, and contribute to a successful team.
What the Interviewer Wants to Know
Employers, regardless of industry, need workers who are capable of working successfully as part of a team. During interviews, they will try to determine whether you can work effectively and collaboratively with others. Along with the typical job interview questions, your interviewer may ask about your past work experiences, with similar questions such as, “Tell us about a time you worked successfully with a team in a team environment.” Read below for tips on how to answer questions about working on a team, as well as sample answers.
How to Answer the Interview Question “How Do You Feel About Working in a Team Environment?”
No matter how the question is phrased, you want to use examples from your past to show that you work well in a team environment. Questions that focus on examples from your past are called behavioral interview questions. Behavioral interview questions are those in which interviewers are looking for a concrete example of your past work experiences. Examples of behavioral interview questions include, “Tell me about a time you handled conflict,” and “Give me an example of when you needed to solve a problem creatively.” Looking at your work history is a way for an employer to learn if you’ll be a good fit for the new job. When you’re asked about teamwork, choose an example of a time you worked in a team environment. If you don’t have much work history, you can use an example from school, a club, or a volunteer experience. Think of a specific time when you worked very well as a team player or helped achieve a team goal. When answering the question, you can use the STAR interview response technique:
Situation: Describe the context or situation. Explain where and when you worked in this particular team setting.Task: Explain the mission of the team—describe the project you were working on, or what kind of teamwork you had to do. If there was a problem in the group, explain that problem or challenge.Action: Describe the actions you took to complete the teamwork or solve the problem.Result: Finally, explain the result of the actions taken. Emphasize what your team accomplished, or what you learned.
Examples of the Best Answers
Here are some examples of good answers that you can use to craft your own response. Why It Works: Not only does the applicant say that he or she likes the team environment, but then gives an example of this based on a problem solved for the team through research. Why It Works: The applicant not only stated that he or she enjoys a group approach but developed a system so communication between group members could be enhanced. Why It Works: The applicant presents a good perspective of functioning within a team and how to involve the entire team.
Tips for Giving the Best Answer
Give Examples. In order to answer the question, you should illustrate to the interviewer by using examples from your background when you have worked successfully in a team and how you have done it. Use the STAR Response Interview Technique. This interview technique allows you to explain the situation, task, action, and response regarding your teamwork experience. Explain. Use an example from your previous work history to explain to the interviewer why you enjoy teamwork.
What Not to Say
Don’t Trash Teamwork. If you don’t enjoy working in a team environment, perhaps you are interviewing for the wrong job. If that’s the case, there’s no need to mention it. There might be another position with the company that’s a better fit, so keep your response positive. Don’t Talk About Being an Introvert. If you are shy, or an introvert, or if you have never worked in a team environment, don’t mention your personality traits. Try to find an example of when you worked with others, perhaps in school, volunteer work, or another venue.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
Do you prefer to work independently or be part of a team? - Best Answers Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager? - Best Answers What can you contribute to this company? - Best Answers
Share Examples: When answering the question, have an example from a previous job or other circumstance prepared where you effectively functioned in a team situation before you go to your interview. Practice your response. Keep it Positive: Be positive, but honest. If working on a team isn’t the best fit for you, consider other roles that might be a better match.
