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Sample Behavioral Interview Questions : Teamwork

Teamwork

Given below are sample behavioral interview questions on teamwork. These interview questions will help make your interview better and help you achieve your dream job. Sample behavioral interview questions on team work are different from sample behavioral interview questions on personality and sample behavioral interview questions on planning and organization.

1. What types of teams you were involved with and in what roles?

   Ans: Answer these types of questions by using words like dynamic or creative teams or a team of go-getters. But make sure to elaborate the terms by giving suitable examples. Describe your roles as per the terms used for the team. Also tell what your USP in it was.

2. Do you believe in team work or individual efforts?

   Ans: A TEAM means "Together Everybody Achieves Miracles". I definitely believe in teamwork. Individual efforts are only good when goals are in accordance with the teams and the results of team work are always better. Take the example of horses. When two horses are put together their effort becomes 1+1= 11 and not 2.

3. Which was the team experience you found most rewarding and enriching?

   Ans: While answering these types of questions, relate to your lack of expertise in a certain aspect of a job and how your team mates helped you out and you were able do your job better. For example, if you had no technical qualification and have landed in a tech support job, then you can elaborate how your team mates initially helped you in the technical aspects which eventually improved your performance. Such an answer shows that you are open-minded and willing to learn.

4. Which was the team experience you were disheartened with and what step you would have taken to make it better?

   Ans: These are tricky questions. The interviewer wants to check whether you are actually a good team player. And someone who had a disappointing team experience can't himself be a good team player. Avoid saying that you were disappointed with a certain experience. Describe it as a minor hiccup and then suggest the action you might have taken to avoid it.

5. Have you been in a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your way of working? What did you do?

   Ans: Give a suitable example of such a situation and describe that you explained the thought behind the process and also asked others for suggestions and how a mutual agreement to work in a certain way was reached upon. If you have never been in a situation like this simply state it and then hypothetically state the explanation and suggestion path.

6. Were you in a situation where a colleague was not completing their share of the work? Did you report it to your manager? What actions did he take?

   Ans: I think reporting a colleague to the manager would be indulging in politics. If someone is not completing the given share of workload, the manager will eventually understand it and will take the required action.

7. How good are you with feedbacks from colleagues?

   Ans: Feedbacks are important. They help you do your tasks better. I am always open for feedbacks, be it from the superiors, colleagues or sub-ordinates. Feedbacks and suggestions are helpful for individual growth and growth of the organization as a whole.

8. Describe your strengths and weaknesses as a team player.

   Ans: Answer this question by describing the contributions you have made while working in a team. Put across an odd mistake you might have done, but focus mainly on the contributions. The odd mistake shows you are human and are admitting. Draw your strengths and weaknesses accordingly.

9. When did you understand that the needs of a group are important than your own needs?

   Ans: I was part of a debate team in college. That is when I learned that it is important to give respect to all members of the team and encourage everybody to keep them motivated to put in their best effort. This is very helpful in building the best possible team.

10. When a project you have been working on receives a positive feedback, do you give it a credit to the teamwork?

    Ans: Always make sure that you recognize the importance of teamwork. Even if you are leading the team, you are a part of it. Give credit to the team members; give any specific example where you were able to tide over a difficult situation due to team effort. This will show how much you emphasize on teamwork and will also encourage the team and you will reap the benefits in the future.

These were some of the sample behavioral interview questions on teamwork. You can also refer to our next entry sample behavioral interview questions on problem solving skills.