Interview questions. Scenario 7 of 11. Teamwork

Working in a team

The interviewer asks: "Tell me about a time you worked well as part of a team."

You think of a stocktake at your last job. Five of you finished it a day early.

Which answer works best?

Say, "We did a stocktake and we finished it a day early. We all worked really well together."

Could be better

It is a good example with a good result. But every sentence says "we", so the interviewer cannot tell what you did. They are hiring you, not the team. Add your own part.

Describe the stocktake, then say what you did. For example, you suggested splitting the aisles between you and kept the shared count up to date.

Good call

Now they can see how you behave in a team: you had an idea, you did your share, you kept others informed. Saying "I" here is not boasting. It is answering the question.

Say you prefer to work on your own, because you get more done.

Not the best call

Preferring focused, independent work is completely valid, and many jobs suit it. But as an answer to this question it sounds as if you avoid working with people. Give the example, and mention your preference elsewhere.

Explain that you ended up doing most of the work because the others were slow.

Not the best call

Even if it is true, it tells them you talk your colleagues down. The question is about working well with others. Say what you contributed without measuring it against anyone else.

The principle

In a teamwork answer, describe the team's goal and then your own part in it. Say "I" for what you did, and say nothing unkind about anyone else.