Skip to main content

Do You Prefer To Work Alone Or As A Team Player? - Job Interview Answers.


When interviewer asks such questions it means they are trying to learn whether you are a team player or you like working independently. Even if you have a strong preference to work alone or with others, the best answer is to say both. If a job is mostly about working alone, there might be some team work involved.

"There’s no work or job which doesn’t need team work at some point of time."


The reality is that most jobs require us to work both independently and in teams. Your response to this question should show that you have been successful in both situations. Most employers want someone who can work well in a team and work well alone.


Your answers can be:

1) I would like to work in an environment where there is a blend of both. Its great working in teams while sharing and learning ideas with each other, but it’s also great to sit at my own desk and work hard productively. Therefore I would like to work independently towards a team goal.


2) I believe both are two sides of the same coin. They can never be isolated. A man has to work individually and also as a team player. The value of teamwork is the emergence of new ideas and creative solutions as well as sharing of the work load. So I prefer to work both as an individual and as a team member.


3) During my school days, I was a team member of the Cricket team and the Band Group. Each required a different kind of team play and the learning experience was invaluable. But simultaneously I had to work hard individually for my School exams and other competitive exams where I need to learn and perform on my own. Hence I understand the value of both and therefore I am comfortable working on a team and independently as well.


4) I like working myself. But I love working in a team because one thing is for sure - gaining and sharing knowledge through experience. It is always said “Two heads are better than one”. Working as an individual, I can apply all that I have learned throughout the career. So I believe both have their importance and both are required to be successful in any field.


5) What I have learned from the job description is: this position requires someone who can handle assignments which in turn requires great deal of independent work and research. I am equally comfortable working as a member of a team and independently. My career marks and percentage shows my individual effort. Moreover I was the captain of the winning cricket team of my school and I was adjudged the best bowler of the tournament which shows that I am an efficient team member also. So I am comfortable with both.

ALSO READ THE ANSWERS FOR:

- Tell Me Something About Yourself ?

- Where Do You See Yourself After 5 Years?

- Why Should We Hire You?

- What Makes You Stand Out From Other Candidates?

- What is (are) your Strength (Strengths)?

- What is (are) your Weakness (Weaknesses)?

- Can you work well under pressure? (Or How well do you handle stress and pressure?)

- What are your short term goals/career aspirations?

- What are your long term goals/career aspirations?

... Return To HR Interview Index.


Your suggestions and comments are welcome in this section. If you want to share something or if you have some answer of your own, please do post them in the comments section.


Comments

  1. this really helps me a lot. thanks a lot....

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am a lot more prepared for my interview tomorrow. I will keep reading from your site.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Keep up the good job...................

    ReplyDelete
  4. this site is very helpful...
    thanx alot

    ReplyDelete
  5. thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. this is the best answer...thanks

    ReplyDelete
  7. What's the best way to answer "why were you terminated" when you violated company policy?

    ReplyDelete
  8. This helps me a lot. Thanks to u!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very helpful.thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. thanks.This answers proved to be very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. this site is awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for this wonderful ideas,it helps me a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  13. yes!!!!!!!! this site is awesome..!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. But what is the best answer when you have to pick between one or the other? The job doesn't specify which is needed. These are on the online applications a lot with only one choice.

    ReplyDelete
  15. i got lot of informations.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Please share your opinions and suggestions or your experience in the comments section. This way we can all help each other...

Experienced guys can share their resumes at admin@interview-made-easy.com

Popular posts from this blog

Tell Me Something About Yourself - Interview Answers.

Try to introduce some of your most important employment-oriented skills as well as your education and accomplishments to the interviewer. Answer to this question is very important because it positions you for the rest of the interview . That's why this statement is often called the "Positioning Statement". One should take the opportunity to show his/her communication skills by speaking clearly and concisely in an organized manner. Since there is no right or wrong answer for this question hence it is important to appear friendly. YOUR ANSWERS CAN BE: 1) I am a person with strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to get along well with people . I enjoy challenges and looking for creative solutions to problems. 2) Besides the details given in my resume, I believe in character values, vision and action. I am quick in learning from mistakes. I am confident that the various tests that you have conducted will corroborate my competencies apti...

What Is (Are) Your Weakness (Weaknesses)? - Interview Answers

There’s a saying – “However small the thorn maybe it has the ability to pierce.” Never say you are a Workaholic, a Perfectionist, etc. because it sounds negative. Try to convert these negative biased qualities into positive ones. For Example, In   place of Workaholic you can say you are a hard worker and always willing to work for extra hours. In place of Perfectionist , you can say you are detail oriented and like to set high standard for work. “Try to specify your weakness as your strength and also highlight it as a benefit.” Your answers can be: 1) One of my weaknesses as I perceive is occasional compromise on time for quality and perfection. 2) I feel I am not very detail-oriented . I’m a person that wants accomplish as much as possible. I realized this hurts quality and therefore I‘m trying hard to find a balance between quality and quantity. 3) At times even when I need help, I try to solve my own problems instead of asking a co-worker who might know...

What Is (Are) Your Strengths? - Interview Answers

This is a simple and popular interview question. Generally people answer it in two ways. There are people who simply state their strength like “I am Young, Dynamic, Intelligent, Smart and so on…”. Such answer is neither right nor wrong but does not help u in any way also. Secondly there are peoples who state their strengths and explain them how he can use his strength for the job and industry. Do not simply state your strength. Everyone has some strength, all you need is to convert them into benefits. In short, try to advertise yourself by converting your features into strengths. “EVERYONE CLAIM THEY ARE HONEST, HARDWORKING, SMART AND SO ON….. BUT WITH AN EXAMPLE IT IS MUCH MORE BELIEVABLE.” Your answers can be : 1) I am a hard worker and because of this ability I can work for additional hours to accomplish my tasks.I am commitment oriented and hence I always enjoy the trust and confidence of my team mates which enables me to perform my duties very easily. 2) I am a...