What do you know about describing yourself as part of a team?  

An effective team requires a variety of personality types that can assume different roles. Assigning team roles according to employees’ strengths and shortcomings is an effective way to build a team, as people fare better at tasks that draw on their strengths.

You did your research on the company and found that the work culture is based on community, group, and teamwork. If that’s the case, make sure the interviewer knows you can function well within that culture, and you enjoy socialization outside of it. Remember, for many employers, it’s just as important to fit into a work culture as it is to be able to do the job well.

The nine Belbin team roles are descriptions of job duties that fall into three broad categories: thought-oriented roles, action-oriented roles and people-oriented roles. Understanding each role a team member can play may help you to work more efficiently as a team:

1. The Monitor Evaluator (thought-oriented)
2. The Specialist (thought-oriented)
3. The Plant (thought-oriented)
4. The Shaper (action-oriented)
5. The Implementer (action-oriented)
6. The Completer/Finisher (action-oriented)
7. The Coordinator (people-oriented)
8. The Team Worker (people-oriented)
9. The Resource Investigator (people-oriented)

Key Takeaways

Interviewers ask questions about teamwork because the ability of team members to work together is important.

If you lack work experience, talk about how you have served on teams for school projects or as a volunteer with community organizations.

Describe relevant skills

Answering the question ‘How would you describe yourself as a team member?’ is an excellent opportunity to share your strong skill-set in relation to the position that you are applying for. However, you should avoid providing a long list of your skills and abilities.

Do not bypass the question

For those without experience in a certain area it can be tempting to try to breeze through a reply; however, it is never a good idea to bypass or skip any interview questions. It may appear as if you are trying to hide something and could raise suspicion. Even if you have a history of working by yourself or if the job does not require teamwork, you will have some form of communication with others and it is critical that you show that you are personable and able to effectively interact with others.