But because it is not the sort of thing that commands immediate attention, jobseekers often overlook this basic requirement.
Find the latest industry jobs
In a job interview most interviewers won’t mention the words ‘team’ or ‘teamwork’, but it remains a basic underlying consideration as to whether or not you as an individual will fit in the ‘team’.
What kind of employee would you make? How well will you get along in the corporate environment?
These are not questions that you will be asked openly, but the interviewer will get the answers through other questions. A good measure of what kind of an employee you will be is whether you can demonstrate teamwork ability, in view of most employers.
Get the daily news delivered to your inbox
A distinct turnaround
This is a distinct turnaround from, say, 20 years ago when individual accomplishments were the all-important. Employers would put the emphasis on individual performance, although getting along in the workplace and with work colleagues has always been important.
Now because of the increasingly competitive corporate world that we live in – beset on all sides by increasing competition – in order to survive, they must have teamwork. Management must operate smoothly and as a unified whole, there is no time to waste on disruption and arguments and acrimony in the workplace because this will cost the company in its efforts to compete effectively. Differences of opinion will always occur and it will take time to sort them out, but the result will be a consensus arrived at through teamwork.
Standing out
So how do you distinguish yourself from others if all the discussions are made within a team environment and nobody gets personal credit?
Download our news ticker
What stands out and commands the attention of your senior management should be your ability to interact successfully and skilfully with the team and help determine the course of action without imposing your own ego on the rest of the group. You may well think that if you don’t dominate or lead discussion or have other team members turn to you for advise you may not be noticed. But if your group works cohesively as a team when you are present and contributing it will be noticed and rewarded.
A successful team player knows how they can best support the group and what contributions need to be made, to achieve its goals.
This could be asking leading questions at appropriate times, making valid observations, establishing a plan of action, being sensitive to the needs of others and showing consideration to views of all parties.
Register for 'Adviser FInder' here
A convincing argument
So how do you convince the interviewer that you are an effective team player? Before going on any interview, sit down and write out your best job-related accomplishments. Then go through them with an eye towards teamwork, which projects required successful interaction between yourself and the group?
In what ways were you a team leader? Emphasise your teamwork-related accomplishments – make sure you take credit where it is due.
Modesty is a virtue, but not on a job-hunt. You have a short period of time to convince the interviewer that you are wonderful, no one else is going to do it for you. You are there to sell yourself, not your former work colleagues. By emphasising your team-related accomplishments, you are sending the message that you recognise the importance of teamwork and it may provide you with the competitive edge other candidates equally qualified.
Register for the next forum
More importantly, however, you will have given the employer a good reason to hire you.
Jo Allam Director of Ecruit Ltd. Jo has had 20 years experience in the mortgage industry working SUCCESSFULLY IN TEAMS for lenders and insurance companies. For further interview tips & advice please look at their website www.recruit-u.com
