It’s fine to take a few seconds before you answer. An interviewer isn’t expecting you to have a ready answer to every question they ask. However, by practicing possible responses ahead of time, you’ll find it easier to marshal your thoughts during the actual interview. Here are some sample job interview questions and answers about working on a team with co-workers and supervisors.
What the Interviewer Wants to Know
For the most part, questions about colleagues are asked to:
Determine if you are a team player Ascertain whether you are coachable Gauge how well you function under stress
When answering questions, keep in mind that your tone of voice is as important as your response. No one likes a whiner, especially within a collaborative work environment. Keep your tone positive. Stay away from criticizing former managers and colleagues.
How to Answer Interview Questions About Co-Workers and Supervisors
The best way to answer this question is to use the STAR interview response technique, which allows you to describe a situation that occurred in your past. In your response, you’ll convey the relevant Situation, a Task (or challenge) you needed to address, the Action you took, and the Result of your action.
Sample Questions and Answers
Here are some sample answers that you can use for inspiration as you prepare possible responses to questions about co-workers and supervisors.
1. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a co-worker who wasn’t doing their fair share of the work. What did you do, and what was the outcome?
Why It Works: This answer is a good example of how to keep one’s tone positive even when discussing a difficult situation with a co-worker. The interviewee explains what happened without throwing her associate “under the bus.” She also portrays herself in a good light by emphasizing her willingness to give others the benefit of the doubt and to do extra work to ensure the success of the project.
2. Give me an example of a time when you took the time to share a co-worker’s or supervisor’s achievements with others.
Why It Works: Part of being a good team member is being willing to recognize the contributions of others. This candidate is able to show how, rather than being self-centered, he readily offers praise when it is due.
3. Tell me about a time that you didn’t work well with a supervisor. What was the result, and how would you have changed the outcome?
Why It Works: This answer avoids the pitfall of criticizing a former supervisor by showing how the candidate can admit a degree of culpability in the situation. She also offers prompt examples of the lesson she learned and the approach she would take should the situation ever happen again. After I left, I realized my life was in complete contrast to hers and I reminded her of it almost daily. When she asked the questions, I should have had a quick answer, and then asked her how she was doing!
4. Can you tell me about a time that you helped someone at work?
Why It Works: The candidate uses the STAR method to explain how he dealt with a workplace challenge. The action he took exemplifies the traits that managers look for in their team members: the ability to support others, tactful mediation skills, and personal initiative in problem-solving.
5. How do you get along with older (or younger) co-workers?
If Co-Workers Are Older
Why It Works: Here, the interviewee shows they’re open to the ideas of others, respectful, and coachable.
If Co-Workers Are Younger
Why It Works: This answer, like the ones before it, emphasizes the candidate’s ability to communicate and collaborate with others through an open exchange of ideas.
Tips for Giving the Best Response
Showcase your teamwork skills. As you structure your own answers to these questions, be sure to include examples that illustrate important teamwork skills such as communication, creative thinking, goal setting, collaboration, conflict management, and problem-solving. Focus on lessons learned. Prove that you are an employee who proactively takes the initiative to learn from past situations and to devise new and better approaches to common workplace challenges. Review common interview questions, along with sample answers. Not all interview questions will be about how well you work with others. Be prepared to also answer interview questions about you, your knowledge of their company, and your anticipated career trajectory.
What Not to Say
Focus on the situation, not the culprits. Don’t cast blame on former co-workers or supervisors when describing issues in the workplace. Instead, describe how and why the situation (as opposed to an individual) was difficult and how your own good teamwork saved the day. Nothing. Don’t duck the question. Even if you are an introvert who works best independently, you still will need to demonstrate how you can work well with others when this is required.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
How do you handle stress? - Best Answers Why should we hire you? - Best Answers What are your goals for the future? - Best Answers
