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Most hiring managers include at least a few behavioral questions in each job interview they conduct. Your responses help interviewers get a sense of your on-the-job behavior.

To that end, in a behavioral job interview, the interviewer will ask questions about your past work experiences. For instance, you might get a question like, "Tell me about a time that you had to multitask at work."

Note

The idea behind a behavioral interview question is that past behavior is an indicator of future behavior. Therefore, examples from your past give the employer an idea of how you would handle a similar situation if you were to be hired.

What You Could Be Asked

Interviewers might pose a variety of behavioral questions. Examples of interview questions include the following:

Can you give me an example of how you motivated an underperforming subordinate to increase productivity?

Describe a time when you implemented a new program that was successful.

Give me an example of a conflict you had with an employee. How did you resolve it?

Note

Employers are looking for a detailed explanation of an experience from your past. They want to know what the experience was and how you dealt with it. Your responses will give the interviewer an indication of how you handle projects and issues at work.

How to Prepare for the Interview

It's impossible for candidates to anticipate all possible questions you'll be asked prior to an interview. Many will be specific to the job for which you're being considered. However, there are some tactics that can help you prepare and give strong responses.

Review Common Questions

By carefully reviewing lists of common behavioral interview questions, you can prepare for the most likely questions.

Take a Look at the Job Listing

You'll also want to review the job listing before going into the interview. This will help you identify the qualities of the ideal candidate for that position.

Look through the job listing for a list of qualifications and scan for any keywords that give you a hint as to what the employer wants in a job candidate. Then, match your qualifications to the job, so you're prepared with examples related to the experience and qualifications the employer is seeking.

Learn About the Company

It can be helpful to research the company. As with the job listing, this research will give you a sense of the qualities and abilities that interviewers will prioritize.

Note

Brainstorm Examples

Once you get a sense of the questions you might be asked, the next step will be to come up with examples from past experiences that have helped you develop the skills and qualities needed for a job.

Create a list of 7 to 10 key assets that make you a strong candidate for your target job. For each asset, think of an anecdote or story of how you have used that strength to add value in some situation. You can use anecdotes from your roles as an employee, student, volunteer, or intern.

How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions

When practicing answers for behavioral interview questions, consider following what is called the STAR interview response technique. It is a four-step technique for answering questions about past behaviors at work:

Situation. Describe the situation or set the scene. Explain the place you were working for or the task you were given.

Task. Describe the issue or problem you were confronted with.

Action. Describe the action you took to intervene in the situation or solve the problem. This should introduce the key asset you would like to illustrate.

Results. Describe the results your action generated. Explain how you helped solve the problem or improve the company in some way.

Imagine an employer asks you the behavioral interview question, "Tell me about a time that you used your organizational skills to improve a situation at work." A possible answer using the STAR technique would be as follows:

Example Answer

More Tips for Responding to Behavioral Interview Questions

Take a moment: These questions are far from a yes-or-no inquiry. If you need a moment to think, take it-your interviewer should be understanding.

Don't ramble: Using the STAR technique should help keep you on track. Remember, you don't need to get too into the weeds on the nitty-gritty details of the situation and task. Describe it in broad strokes and avoid any company-specific jargon that might stand in the way of the interviewer following your story.

Tell a good story: By sharing on-point examples, you'll keep the interviewer engaged and demonstrate your strengths as a candidate.

Quantify if you can: If your action resulted in a quantifiable result-such as improved sales or reduced customer complaints-be sure to mention that.

Rehearse in advance: No need to memorize your responses. After all, you can't completely predict which behavioral interview questions (if any) will come up. But practicing a few stories will help you feel confident at knowing how to frame them and may train you to think of past experiences in terms of the situation-task-action-result formula.

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Tips for Giving the Best Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions

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Most hiring managers include at least a few behavioral questions in each job interview they conduct. Your responses help interviewers get a sense of your on-the-job behavior. To that end, in a behavioral job interview, the interviewer will ask questions about your past work experiences.

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During a situational interview, you'll be asked specific questions about how you would handle certain circumstances at your job. You'll be asked to assess a situation and then provide solutions for how you'd handle it.

What Is a Situational Interview?

Situational interview questions are hypothetical questions about how you would respond to a situation at work. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle a workplace issue. Your response will then be compared to that of the other candidates.

Note

In many cases, situation-based interview questions involve problem-solving and handling difficult issues and circumstances in the workplace.

You can share some details about how you anticipate you would respond to a situation, but the best answers to situational interview questions provide concrete examples of how you handled similar situations on the job. That way, you're providing the interviewer with solid information based on real-life circumstances that you dealt with successfully.

How to Prepare for a Situational Interview

Thinking about how you will approach questions beforehand will give you the best chance of getting hired.

Consider the types of detailed situational questions you may be asked and how they relate to your past responsibilities, including any challenges you faced and how they were resolved.

Also, think about other workplace issues that did not affect you directly and how you would have solved them. Your answers can give you an advantage over other applicants and possibly land you the job.

Tips for Giving the Best Response

In a situational interview, your main goal in responding to questions is to describe similar experiences you've had in the past. To do this, use a version of the situation, task, action, result ( STAR) technique. In this modified version of the technique, you'll substitute "problem" for "task."

By framing your response in this way, you'll avoid rambling and stay focused.

The following should be included in your answer:

What was the situation? Before launching into what you did, take the time to describe the situation. Include the kind of company you were working at, what was at stake, and the existing process. For example, a description of the situation could be, "In my past role, I was in charge of a major event, one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. It typically had hundreds of guests and brought in thousands of dollars for the organization. It was my job to plan the event, which included securing the venue and guest speaker."

What went wrong? Describe what went wrong and how it happened. Was it something avoidable, or was it an unexpected crisis? Using the previous example, you could say, "Just three days before the event, our keynote speaker became ill and canceled on us. Our speaker was the biggest draw for the event, so not having them was disastrous. If we canceled the event, we would lose thousands of dollars, but if we didn't have a speaker, we risked angering our audience."

What action did you take? Describe not only what action you took, but your rationale behind it and how you identified solutions. For instance, "I conferred with my boss, and we discussed our options. Canceling the event was out of the question since we would lose too much money, so our only option was to find a new speaker. I spent the next ten hours on the phone nonstop, calling every speakers' bureau in the region and sending emails to everyone I knew who might be able to help."

What were the results? Highlight what you accomplished and how it helped the overall project. "My persistence paid off. After chasing down one company, I was able to secure a new speaker for the same amount we were going to pay the original one. We sent out a communication letting attendees know about the change and highlighted the achievements of our new speaker. It turned out to be our best event yet; we earned $10,000 more than we had the previous year."

Note

Sample Situational Interview Questions and Answers

The following are examples of situational interview questions, with links to sample answers and tips on the best way to answer:

More Interview Questions and Answers

Review the top interview questions that employers ask, tips for responding, and examples of the best answers.

Key Takeaways

Using the STAR technique will help you give strong, effective, and focused responses.

In your responses, look for opportunities to highlight skills and experience that will be relevant to the role at hand.

Practice answering situational interview questions beforehand-and work on creating a list of workplace issues and situations you've dealt with in the past.

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Situational Interview Questions and Tips for Answering

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During a situational interview, you'll be asked specific questions about how you would handle certain circumstances at your job. You'll be asked to assess a situation and then provide solutions for how you'd handle it. Situational interview questions are hypothetical questions about how you would respond to a situation at work.

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One type of question you may have to answer during a job interview is an anecdotal question. These questions are specifically designed to gather supporting information about your qualifications for a job.

One of the best ways to respond is with a story that shows the interviewer that you have the skills required to be successful on the job. The story doesn't need to be lengthy. You can share a description of what you did and how you achieved a positive outcome.

Discover why interviewers ask anecdotal interview questions along with the best ways to respond.

Key Takeaways

What the Interviewer Wants To Know

By asking anecdotal questions, the interviewer is seeking details about how your experience qualifies you for the role at hand.

Like other behavioral interview questions, anecdotal questions are designed to get you to share examples from your previous work experiences.

Note

By asking you to provide examples or furnish anecdotal information, interviewers can get a real sense of whether you possess the key qualifications necessary for success on the job.

Examples of Anecdotal Interview Questions

Some potential anecdotal interview questions interviewers may ask include the following:

Tell me about a time when you terminated an underperforming employee.

How were you able to close a deal with a major client?

Share an example of how you have overcome a major disappointment on the job.

Describe a situation in which you utilized your leadership abilities to move a project forward.

Describe how you have planned a major event.

How To Answer Interview Questions With a Story

You should view virtually every interview question as an opportunity to provide concrete evidence that you have experience applying critical skills to real-world situations. Answering with a story is an excellent way to respond to interview questions like these.

Here's what you need to know about answering a question with a story:

Telling compelling stories is typically the best approach to convince employers that you possess the right strengths to get the job done. Sharing a concrete example of what you accomplished shows the employer what you could do for the organization if you were to be hired.

Careful preparation prior to your interviews is essential for furnishing effective responses to anecdotal questions. Otherwise, your answers may lack the detail required to support your assertions. If you're not well prepared, you may rush your answers or leave out crucial details due to nerves. But that's okay-you can formulate the best answers ahead of time and practice telling stories about your work experience. That way you'll be more relaxed and confident during the actual job interview.

Start by analyzing the requirements for the job, and make a list of your qualifications that correspond to those requirements. Then reflect on your work, internship, and academic and volunteer experiences and identify scenarios in which you have tapped each strength or skill the employer is seeking. This is crucial information you'll need to formulate your answers.

Construct stories featuring each key asset. Describe situations, actions that you took, and any positive outcomes that you helped generate. Then practice telling each story out loud. Find a friend or colleague and have them listen to your stories.

Keep your stories short. Remember that you're telling a short story-not writing a novel. Keep your response brief, including a description of the situation, how you handled it, and how it was resolved.

Note

Review an Example of Telling a Story

For example, you might be asked, "Can you describe a time when you went beyond what was required to get the job done?"

Example Answer

Why It Works: This response is succinct and interesting, and it describes how the candidate handled a particular situation. Use this example as a basic framework but, of course, tailor it to your specific experience.

Tips for Giving the Best Response

Share examples. Interviewers want a story, so give them what they want.

Keep it relevant. Your anecdote should be related to the question at hand.

Showcase your skills. Along with telling a relevant anecdote, aim to highlight any qualifications and experience that would be needed in the role.

What Not To Say

Don't ramble. As you tell your story, keep it clear and succinct. Don't ramble on, since interviewers will get bored.

Don't be boring. Pay attention to the interviewer's body language. If it seems like they're losing focus, wrap it up.

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How To Answer Interview Questions With a Story

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One type of question you may have to answer during a job interview is an anecdotal question. These questions are specifically designed to gather supporting information about your qualifications for a job. One of the best ways to respond is with a story that shows the interviewer that you have the skills required to be successful on the job.

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Competency-based interview questions require interviewees to give specific examples of times in which they demonstrated particular sought-after interpersonal competencies such as adaptability, creativity, or oral / written communications skills.

Generally, these are behavioral interview questions that prompt interviewees to describe a problem or situation, the actions they took to handle it, and the end results. They allow the employer to quickly evaluate a candidate's mindset, and gauge how a candidate handles certain situations.

What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know

Also known as " soft skills " or "people skills," interpersonal competencies are those traits that enable people to work well with others and also within fast-paced, high-stress occupations.

Interviewers ask these questions in order to see how closely your competencies and personality traits align with those they listed in the "Desired" or "Preferred Qualifications" sections of their job listing. If the job ad specifically states that the candidates needs to be skilled in, say, conflict management, then it's a safe bet that you'll be asked how you have mediated workplace or client conflicts in the past.

Competency-Based Interview Questions

Often, these types of questions begin with the phrases "Describe a time when..." or "Give me an example of a situation where..."

Note

For example, while an interviewer for a retail job may ask competency-based questions about communication and teamwork, an interviewer for an upper management job may ask questions about leadership, independence, and creativity.

Use the STAR interview response technique to structure your answers to these questions. In this technique, you develop an illustrative anecdote that describes a Situation you were faced with in the workplace, the Task or challenge involved, the Action you took to resolve this issue, and the Results of your action.

Examples of the Best Answers

And so, for example, imagine that your interviewer asks you a competency-based question about teamwork such as, " Describe a time in which members of your team did not get along. How did you handle the situation? " Here's a sample answer:

Why It Works: This response effectively uses the STAR technique to demonstrate the interviewee's thinking process and to show how they were able to use the competencies of communications, active listening, and conflict mediation to navigate a workplace issue.

How to Prepare for Competency-Based Interview Questions

To prepare for competency-based interview questions, make a list of aptitudes and attitudes that you think are important for the job for which you are interviewing.

Check the job listing for examples of required skills and abilities. For example: accountability, ambition, approachability, compliance, conflict management, critical thinking, delegation, flexibility, inclusiveness, influencing, initiative, resourcefulness, risk taking, etc.

Next, list situations in which you have demonstrated each of these competencies. Once you have prepared a list of situations, review it. By thinking of examples before the interview, you will be able to answer questions quickly and concisely.

For each skill, write down the situation, the actions you took to handle the problem, and the ultimate results. This is a modified version of the STAR interview response technique. Using this technique will help you give a brief, coherent, and structured response to interview questions.

How to Answer Competency-Based Interview Questions

Choose Your Example: Before answering the question, think of a specific example of a past situation that answers the situation given. Try to use an example that is relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, while problem-solving can be a skill you use in a variety of situations, focus on a time when you had a specific work-related issue in the office, and how you managed it.

Be Concise: It is easy to wander when answering a competency-based interview question, particularly if you do not have a specific situation or problem in mind. Provide a clear, brief description of the situation, explain how you handled it, and describe the results. By focusing on one specific example, your answer will be succinct and on topic.

Do Not Place Blame: If you are describing a particular problem or difficult situation (for example, a time when you had to work with a difficult boss), it may feel natural to attack or place blame on another person. However, these questions are about you, not about anyone else. Focus on what you did to manage the situation; do not dwell on other peoples' issues or failures.

Examples of Competency-Based Interview Questions

Adaptability

Tell us about the biggest change you have had to deal with in your previous employment. How did you handle it?

Communication

Tell us about a situation where you failed to communicate appropriately. In hindsight, what would you have done differently?

Describe a time when you had to explain something complex to a colleague. What problems did you come across and how did you deal with them?

Creativity

Tell us about a time in which you developed an unconventional approach to solve a problem. How did you develop this new approach? What challenges did you face and how did you address them?

Decisiveness

Tell us about a decision you made that you knew would be unpopular with certain people. How did you handle the decision-making process? How did you handle other peoples' negative reactions?

Flexibility

Describe a situation in which you changed your approach in the middle of a project. What made you decide to change your approach? How did you work to implement this change smoothly?

Describe a situation in which you were asked to perform a task you had never performed previously.

Integrity

Tell us about a time when someone asked you to do something you objected to. How did you handle the situation?

Leadership

Describe a time in which you had to improve a team's performance. What challenges did you encounter and how did you address them?

Resilience (How do you deal with stress?)

Describe a time in which you received negative feedback from an employer, colleague, or client. How did you manage this feedback? What was the outcome?

Teamwork

Describe a time in which you were a member of a team. How did you positively contribute to the team?

Possible Follow-Up Questions

Key Takeaways

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Here Are Tips on How to Answer Competency-Based Interview Questions

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Competency-based interview questions require interviewees to give specific examples of times in which they demonstrated particular sought-after interpersonal competencies such as adaptability, creativity, or oral / written communications skills. Generally, these are behavioral interview questions that prompt interviewees to describe a problem or situation, the actions they took to handle it, and the end results.

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What's an experience-based interview, and how do you prepare for one? An experience interview is a type of employment interview that's designed to determine whether you have the right experience for the job for which you are interviewing.

What is an Experience-Based Interview?

In an experience interview, the interviewee answers questions about his or her actions in a past employment situation. The interviewee demonstrates his or her skills and abilities by describing past achievements or experiences. This is similar to a behavioral interview where an interviewee is asked about how they would handle a specific workplace-related scenario.

Most job interviews will have at least some experience interview questions. They can be simple or fairly complex. These questions allow the hiring manager to assess whether or not a candidate for employment possesses the skills to handle situations and problems that will arise at the company and in the job for which the interviewee is being considered.

How to Prepare for an Experience Interview

Review the Job Posting

An experience interview can be a little nerve-wracking, but you'll feel more confident if you prepare ahead of time. Before going to the interview, look at the job listing to see what specific skills and attitudes the job requires.

Match Your Experience to the Job

Reflect back on your past work experience to recall situations in which you have demonstrated these skills and attributes. Consider each situation in detail; you will need to be prepared to discuss these situations thoroughly and answer any follow-up questions.

In particular, reflect on the specific role you played in each situation, and the actions you took to achieve success. Then match your top qualifications to those highlighted in the job posting.

Note

Know How You Achieved Success

You should also reflect on your greatest achievements and greatest struggles at your last job; companies typically ask you to describe your greatest successes and failures. Consider the specific actions you took to achieve each success, and what you could have done to improve in your unsuccessful projects.

If you come to the interview with a number of experiences fresh in your mind, it will be much easier to answer each question calmly and concisely during the interview.

Experience Interview Question Examples

Experience interview questions vary widely depending on the level of job you're interviewing for. Some of these questions will relate directly to your resume and the experience you have listed, while others may be very general.

You may be wondering what types of questions are commonly asked in an experience interview. The following are examples of the various types of questions you may come across during job interviews:

You say in your resume that you led a marketing project at XYZ Company. Tell me more about that project.

Give me an example of a situation where you had to handle a conflict between your employees and explain how you handled it.

What were your three most significant accomplishments in your last job? - Sample Answers

What did you like most and least about your last job? - Sample Answers

What specific skills did you gain from your last job?

Describe an important project you worked on.

Describe your last employer's management style.

What is the most important thing you learned at your last job?

What was a difficult situation that occurred, and how did you handle it? - Sample Answers

How to Answer Experience Interview Questions

Be Clear and Concise: It is easy for your answers to wander off topic when answering an experience interview question, particularly if you do not have a specific situation or problem in mind.

Share an Example: Before answering the question, take just a moment to think of a specific example of a past situation that answers the question given. Provide a clear and concise description of the situation, explain how you handled the situation, and describe the results. By focusing on one specific example, your answer will be succinct, and you'll stay on ​topic. There's no need to ramble on or start talking about a different example or non-job related personal experience.

Do Not Place Blame on Other People: If you are describing a particular problem or difficult situation (for example, an unsuccessful group project of which you were a member), it may feel natural to attack or place blame on another person. However, these questions are about you, not about anyone else, and blaming others may bring up concerns in the interviewer's mind.

Focus on What You Accomplished: Focus on what you did to manage the situation, and how you could have improved the situation; do not dwell on other peoples' issues or failures.

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Experience Job Interview Questions and Tips on How to Best Respond

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The purpose of an experience-based job interview, examples of questions that might be asked, along with tips on how to best respond.

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6. Teamwork Oriented Interview Questions

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6. Teamwork Oriented Interview Questions

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A common topic in job interviews is teamwork. Often, an interviewer will ask you a question such as, "How do you feel about working on a team?" or "Tell me about a time you solved a problem as a team" or "How would you motivate team members if you were working on a project together?"

There are many ways you can respond. The most important things to remember when answering questions about teamwork are to remain positive and to provide specific examples.

Why Teamwork Interview Questions Are Important

With these questions, interviewers can get a sense of whether or not you like working on a team, how well you work in groups, and what role you tend to take on a team project (for example, a leader, a mediator, a follower). These questions also show whether you are easy to get along with, which is important in almost any work environment.

12 Teamwork Interview Questions and Best Answers

During your interview, expect to be asked about your affinity for teamwork and for examples of when you have worked on teams in the past. These questions may take the form of behavioral interview questions (regarding how you've acted in the past) or situational interview questions (about how you think you would react in any given situation).

Here are some of the most commonly-asked job interview questions about teamwork, along with some sample answers.

1. Give some examples of your teamwork skills.

What They Want to Know: The employer wants to learn about your teamwork skills, and whather you enjoyed participating on a team. Share examples, shows how you've developed skills that will help you succeed on the job.

More Answers: Tips for Sharing Examples of Teamwork at an Interview

2. How do you feel about working on a team?

What They Want to Know: Most jobs-at least those in traditional work settings-require that you be able to communicate and work well with others. Try to provide a recent example or two of how you've contributed to a team at your job.

More Answers: Answer Interview Questions About Being a Team Player

3. How do you feel about working in a team environment?

What They Want to Know: This question is a clear indicator that, should you be hired, you will be expected to be able to work well in a collaborative team environment. Keep your answer positive, and mention a few of the strong teamwork skills you could offer your employer.

More Answers: How Do You Feel About Working in a Team Environment?

4. Do you prefer teamwork or working independently?

What They Want to Know: Different people have different comfort levels with teamwork; the hiring manager is interested in your personality, your preferred method of doing your work, and your ability to work without direct supervision.

More Answers: Work Independently vs Being Part of a Team

Behavioral Interview Questions

Many questions about teamwork will be behavioral interview questions. These questions require you to provide an example from your past work experiences. For example, an interviewer might ask, "Tell me about a time you had to complete a group project under a tight deadline."

To answer these questions, describe the specific example you are thinking of (it helps to think of examples in advance). Then explain the situation, and what you did to either solve the problem or achieve success. Finally, describe the result.

5. Tell me about a time you worked well as part of a team.

What They Want to Know: Your interviewer will be interested not only in your response to this question, but also in your tone of voice and positivity. Be prepared with an upbeat response that demonstrates your appreciation of the value of teamwork.

More Answers: How to Respond to Interview Questions About Teamwork

6. What role have you played in team situations?

What They Want to Know: Some people are natural leaders, while others are excellent followers. By asking this question, an employer is trying to gauge both how you would fit into the department's current team dynamics and to assess whether you are someone they should flag for eventual leadership responsibilities.

Example Answer

More Answers: Leadership Interview Questions and Answers

7. Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager or other team members?

What They Want to Know: This, like most teamwork questions, addresses your collegiality and your ability to work on a team and accept supervision. Keep your answer upbeat, and avoid complaining about previous managers or team members (you don't want your interviewer to peg you as a negative whiner).

More Answers: Have You Ever Had Difficulty Working With a Manager?

8. Tell me about a challenging workplace situation that you had to deal with.

What They Want to Know: Employers want to know how you handle stress in the workplace, particularly when it involves other team members.

More Answers: Interview Questions About Problems at Work

Situational Interview Questions

Even if the question is not a behavioral interview question, it is often helpful to provide a specific example. For instance, situational interview questions ask you to consider a possible future situation at work. An interviewer might ask, "How would you handle a conflict between two team members?" Although these are about future situations, you can still answer with an example from a past experience.

9. What strategies would you use to motivate your team?

What They Want to Know: How you answer this question will demonstrate whether you have the personal leadership qualities employers are seeking.

More Answers: Answers for Questions About Team Motivation Strategies

10. What would you contribute to our team culture?

What They Want to Know: Interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training new employees costs both time and money for employers, so they don't want to have to repeat the process because an employee proves unable to adapt to their corporate culture. Research the organization ahead of time so that you can present yourself as someone who would fit seamlessly into their team culture.

More Answers: Interview Question: "What Can You Contribute to This Company?"

11. How would you handle it if there was a problem with a member of your team not doing their fair share or work?

What They Want to Know: Team dynamics can often be challenging, particularly when resentment brews over people who may not be pulling their own weight. Be ready to provide a viable solution to this common work situation.

More Answers: Describe a Time When Your Workload Was Heavy

12. Would you still be interested in this job if you knew, at some point in the future, the work environment would change from an individual environment to a team-based approach?

﻿What They Want to Know: This query assesses whether you have the flexibility to adapt to change in the workplace. The ideal answer should demonstrate your capacity to work both independently and as part of a new team.

More Answers: Important Teamwork Skills That Employers Value

Possible Follow-Up Questions

Tips to Answer Teamwork Interview Questions

Here are some more tips for structuring winning answers to job interview questions about teamwork.

Tailor your answers to the job, providing examples that are closely related to the job you are applying for. Think about past work, internship, or volunteer experiences that required skills similar to those needed for this job.

Consider also the company and position-level of the job. Large and corporate companies may value different teamwork traits than small businesses or start-ups. If you are applying for a management-level position, try to use examples that display your leadership skills and team-building skills. If you're applying for a support position, share how you've helped resolve conflicts or kept team members on deadline.

Prepare for the possibility of a group interview. Some employers conduct group interviews to see how well candidates respond to questions and challenges within a stressful group environment. To prepare for this eventuality, check out these group interview questions, sample answers, and interviewing tips.

Prepare for the possibility of being asked to participate in a teamwork simulation. Teamwork simulations are sometimes used during situation (or "performance") interviews. You'll be asked to role-play a job function as part of a larger team tasked with solving a particular problem. After the simulation is completed, you may be asked to evaluate the effectiveness of the team dynamics and / or to assess your own or other team members' performances.

Use the STAR technique. A good strategy in answering questions about teamwork is to use the STAR interview response technique where you describe a work situation involving teamwork, explain the team's task and mission, recount the actions you took, and explain the result of these actions.

How to Make the Best Impression

You want to demonstrate to the employer both that you are enthusiastic about teamwork and that you get along with colleagues.

Of course, you also want to be honest. Sometimes, you have to describe a negative teamwork experience. For example, an employer might say, "Tell me about a difficult experience you had when working on a team project." If you say you have never had a difficult experience, the employer may think you're not telling the truth. Plus, that answer doesn't reveal how you are as a team player or how you handle difficult situations, which is what interviewers really want to know.

Instead of dodging the question, try to focus on how you solved a difficult problem.

For instance, you might answer, "I have worked on teams where one or two voices tend to dominate the group, and other peoples' ideas are not heard. I try to be a good listener in teams, taking the time to understand everyone's ideas, and making sure everyone's suggestions are discussed."

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12 Common Teamwork Interview Questions and Answers

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Common job interview questions about teamwork, examples of the best answers, tips for responding, and advice on how to make the best impression.