Personnel Selection: Interview Questions: Teamwork

Communication

How would you support open communication between team members? Have you ever had to encourage team members to be more open in their communication?
How do you build consensus and shares relevant information as a team member?
What are examples of discussions you had with your team about issues and the effects of those issues?
Describe situations in which you actively and openly participated in group meetings as a team member and listened to others' contributions.
How do you promote/encourage open communication on the team?
What are examples of how you share relevant information, ideas, opinions, and feelings with other district team members?
How would you communicate to coworkers that teamwork and collaboration are expected?
What does it mean to communicate well with team members?
What are examples of how you shared pertinent information with all members of the team?
How do you solicit ideas from all team members?
How do you encourage team members to seek and listen to contributions from others?

Listening

What would you say to guide other team members to listen without interrupting others?
How would you encourage other team members to listen to the opinions of others?
How would you encourage coworkers to takes the time to listen to the team's ideas? What would you say to them?
Give an example of how you encourage other team members to listen and be attentive to others.
How do you encourage dialog between team members?
How do you approach other team members to share their opinions?
How do you help others to be willing to listen to the ideas of team members?
How would you foster an environment that promotes active listening on the team?
Can you give an example of how you would paraphrase and summarize what other team members have said?

Interpersonal

What do you do to enable you to relate to all kinds of people tactfully?
Give an example of how you demonstrated compassion and respect for others through actions.
How do you relate to all kinds of people tactfully, from shop floor to executives?
How do you build strong relationships with team members?
What are examples that shows you have respect for other team members?
Describe when you gave constructive advice to other team members.
How do you build a strong rapport with team members?
Describe how you treat other team members with respect.
Give a few examples of how you have facilitated good rapport between team members.
How have you established good rapport with team members?
Describe a time you had to work closely other team members who were considered to be difficult to work with.
How have you expressed appreciation for the work of other team members?
Describe how you appreciated the input from other team members.
How would you demonstrate a willingness to work with the team?

Collaboration

Have you ever had to help other team members to research solutions to a problem? If so, please elaborate.
What would you do to encourages collaboration of fellow employees to achieve results?
Give an example of how you worked to get buy-in of individuals based on common good of business.
How do you work cooperatively with others to solve problems?
How do you encourage, promote and reward collaboration for improved performance?
Describe how you would share resources and information with the team.
How do you encourage collaboration with other departments?
Give an example of how you promoted open participation and communication within department.
How do you work well with other team members?
How do you create a culture that fosters and values collaboration?
How have you had to work with other team members on a project?
Describe how you have had to join with other team members to brainstorm solutions to a problem.

Teamwork and Team Building

Provide an example of how you promoted a team spirit within and outside department.
Do you provide coaching and team-building ideas/opportunities for district core team and branch managers?
Can you provide coaching and team-building ideas/opportunities for market core team and district managers?
Have you ever facilitated team-building within a leadership team?
How do you emphasize the importance of getting individuals to work as a team?
Did you provides coaching and team-building opportunities for area core team and Divisional team?
How would you partner with people from other work units to improve overall performance?
How would you create an environment that fosters teamwork rather than individual competition?
Have you had to facilitate conflict resolution discussions between individuals in different teams?
How do you creates a climate that encourages team participation?
Describe how you would encourage teamwork and collaboration.
Have you had to provide assistance and support to other team members when needed? If so, how?

Decision Making

How have you had to considers the impact and implications of decisions on the team?
How did you help the team exercise good judgment and make sound and informed decisions?
How have you facilitated effective decision-making practices to further develop the team?
How did you contribute to and supports team decision-making processes?
Give an example of how you made decisions that supported the team's goals and objectives.
Did you facilitate team discussions and problem-solving?
Describe how you would make decisions that positively impact team performance.
How do you help the team balance analysis with decisiveness in making decisions?
Have you ever had to help the team decide what long term goals need to be met?
Describe how you have had to facilitate the development of team/unit work standards.
Describe how you would help the team make good decisions even under conditions of uncertainty.
Have you ever had to help the team make effective business decisions?

Flexibility

Have you ever had to encourage other team members to adopt new procedures?
How would you encourage others to be open to new ideas that may change for benefit of the team?
How do you facilitate adjustments that may be needed to accommodate changes in the composition of the team?
Can you describe a time when you were open to the perspectives/viewpoints of other team members?
How have you had to help identify new opportunities for the team to explore?
Have you facilitated effective teamwork during periods of change?
How do you encourage team members to handle changes without complaining?
Describe how you are open to alternative ways to accomplish goals suggested by the team.
Describe how you helped the team bounce back from obstacles.
Have you ever had to help the team to bounce back from an obstacle?
Describe how you are able to adjust to new ways of working on the team.

Role Model

How are you committed to the successful completion of team goals?
Describe how you are committed to the success of the team.
How do you actively participate as a team member?
How do you encourage others to be active and openly participate in team meetings?
How are you an effective team player?
Can you work effectively with all departments, district and area staff, and R&D? Describe how.
Have you ever actively participated in work teams? Please elaborate.
How would you encourage others to acts as an effective team player?
How would you help other managers in need of assistance, such as providing needed resources (co-workers, supplies, etc)?
Do you come across as a reliable, committed team member? If so, describe how?
How have you had to model excellent team behavior; recognizes "out-of-bounds" behavior and addresses as appropriate?

Rewards and Recognition

Describe how you recognize and respect the contributions and needs of each individual.
Have you found opportunities to recognize and reward team members?
Have you had an opportunity to create and implement team reward and recognition programs?
How do you let team members know when they have done well?
How do you recognize contributions of others, and celebrates team accomplishments?
How would you recognize the contributions of the team?

Coaching and Supervision

Have you had to coach team members?
Did you create opportunities to learn with other team members?
How do you identify and resolve conflicts within the team to increase team effectiveness?
Describe how you would coach the team on how to solve problems, plan, and meet organizational goals and objectives.
How would you provide direct feedback to team members on behavior that is negatively impacting the team's effectiveness.
How do you ensure that the right people are on the team in the appropriate roles, including who should be team leader for a particular project/situation?
Did you ever coach team members to work toward a common goal?
Describe how you would promote organizational growth by stressing personal and team responsibility for learning and performance.

Fair

How do you make sure each team member participates in the task?
How do you foster respect and understanding among team members?
How would you share credit for accomplishments with team members?
How would you create teams that have diverse membership (e.g., gender, race, location, business, function etc.)?