Interview Question: Working as a Team

Tell me about a time you worked on a team project and what your contribution was

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Contents

1 Tell me about a time you worked on a team project and what your contribution was
2 Other interview questions that are similar
3 What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question
4 How best to structure your answer to this question
5 What you should NOT do when answering questions
6 Tell me about a time you worked on a team project and what your contribution was – Example answers
7 Other Interview Question and Answers

What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question

There are probably an infinite number of questions that the interviewer could ask you on the day. Some questions are incredibly common appearing in almost every interview you will have, while other questions you might hear once and never again regardless of how many jobs you apply for.

Fundamentally though all interview questions are really trying to find out one of 3 things:

1 – Can you do the job? (Do you have the skills/experience needed?)
2 – Will you do the job? (Do you have the drive/motivation to get the job done?)
3 – Will you fit in? (Does your personality match the workplace culture? Are you likeable?)

That’s it. Those are the 3 things that the interviewer is trying to ascertain. Every question that is asked of you will fundamentally be trying to resolve one (or more) of these 3 things.

In answering about a team project and your role in it, you’re essentially showcasing to the interviewer your practical skills and experience (Can you do the job?), your commitment and drive (Will you do the job?), and your ability to collaborate and fit into the team (Will you fit in?). Focus on specific contributions that highlight your relevant skills, demonstrate your motivation and problem-solving abilities, and reflect your teamwork and adaptability. This concise response gives the interviewer a clear picture of how you align with the job’s requirements and the company culture.

How best to structure your answer to this question

Unless the question you are asked is a straight ‘up or down / yes or no’ style question then you are going to need to learn to describe, expand and elaborate on your answers. The best way of doing this is to follow the B-STAR technique for answering interview questions.

Answers using this method follow the below structure:

B – Belief – What are your thoughts and feelings with regard to the subject matter? When asked about your experience in a team project, your belief might reflect your perspective on teamwork and collaboration, showing the interviewer your compatibility with team-based roles.

S – Situation – What was going on? Briefly explain the scenario that was taking place. In the interview, briefly outline the project’s context to give the interviewer a backdrop against which your contributions can be understood.

T – Task – What was your role in the action? When discussing a team project in an interview, it’s crucial to clearly define your specific role to demonstrate your direct involvement and impact on the project.

A – Activity (or action) – What did you do? Detail the steps you took and why you took them. This part, in relation to the interview question, should focus on concrete actions you took in the team project, showing your skills and problem-solving abilities in a collaborative environment.

R – Result – How did everything end up? Try to use figures if possible. When answering the interview question, conclude with the tangible outcomes of the project, especially those you directly influenced or contributed to, to quantify your effectiveness and success in a team setting.

Remember though that the B-STAR technique is descriptive not prescriptive. You do not need to follow this flow strictly, go with what is best for your answers and that will allow you to put your point across and show your experience the best.

What you should NOT do when answering questions

Do not avoid the question.

Do not describe a failure (unless specifically asked).

Do not downplay your role in the team.

Do not overhype your contribution to the project.

Do not ignore the aspect of teamwork and focus only on personal achievements.

Do not provide vague or non-specific answers about your actions.

Do not fail to mention the outcome or results of the project.

Tell me about a time you worked on a team project and what your contribution was – Example answers

Example Answer 1

“I’ve always believed strongly in the synergy of teamwork, particularly in how diverse perspectives can drive innovation and success. This belief was put to the test in a recent project at my current job. We were tasked with increasing the efficiency of our internal logistics system. As a logistics analyst, my role was to collaborate with the IT and warehouse teams to streamline our inventory management process.

My contribution involved conducting a detailed analysis of our existing system and proposing key areas for technological enhancement. I spearheaded the integration of an AI-driven forecasting tool, which required not only technical expertise but also clear communication with IT specialists and warehouse staff to ensure its practical applicability.

What made this project stand out was the collaborative spirit. Despite initial resistance to change, my efforts in organizing joint workshops and open discussions helped align our diverse team towards a common goal. My belief in the power of a united team was reaffirmed when we successfully reduced inventory processing time by 35%.

This experience solidified my conviction that a collaborative approach, grounded in mutual respect and open communication, is crucial to overcoming complex challenges. It also underscored my ability to lead and synergize a diverse team towards achieving significant operational improvements.”

Interview Question: Working as a Team – Answer Tips

Tell me about a time you worked on a team project and what your contribution was

Other interview questions that are similar

What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question

How best to structure your answer to this question

What you should NOT do when answering questions

Tell me about a time you worked on a team project and what your contribution was – Example answers

Example Answer 1

Example Answer 2

More Sample Answers…

Other Interview Question and Answers