Why such an emphasis on team work?

PrinceMax

Every job these days seems to put emphasis on team work? Are there any graduate jobs that don't put such an extreme emphasis on this? I've been for interviews where they've asked if I liked working as a part of a team and then went on to ask if I liked working independently as for the most part I'll be working on my own. Are they just questions that every employers asks regardless of the relevance to the role?

Denimgirl

Hiya

I have worked in HR for a few years in the past and have asked the very same questions when interviewing.Basically skill alone sometimes is not enough you need to get on with people and be friendly, as you know a large part your life would be spent with your peers and its important that there is a good atmosphere in the work place.Obviously an intravert person would'nt say no i prefer to work on my own than in a team as that would'nt go down very well.tip is always say in an interview I work well in a team and also on my own.they are just general questions to get a feel of your personality.

Good Luck

DG

I used to think it was garbage but you really do need to be able to communicate and adapt to different people because you do encounter some odd people in the working world...

KarlDrake

PrinceMax wrote: »

Every job these days seems to put emphasis on team work? Are there any graduate jobs that don't put such an extreme emphasis on this? I've been for interviews where they've asked if I liked working as a part of a team and then went on to ask if I liked working independently as for the most part I'll be working on my own. Are they just questions that every employers asks regardless of the relevance to the role?

did you ever play football with team mate who was extremely talented but a "selfer" as we used to say?

Teamwork and the ability to understand your role in the bigger picture is vital for the success of any operation, especially if the work will be independent, but others will rely on the quality of your work.
To labour the football analogy, you're a team player, but you'll take the penalties too!

dan_d

It's definitely important to get on with people. But i'm not sure asking someone straight out "are you a team player" is the way to go either. I'd assume that's why some companies have a 2 or 3 day interview process where they do group exercises etc,etc. That way they probably get a better idea of how people interact with others.
I know what you mean OP, there are some serious buzzwords out there. I always feel like I just want to say to them that I can do the job, and I'll do the best I can, and I get on with people....but of course that's never going to wash with anyone!!
You definitely encounter odd/annoying/bossy/bullying people...I suppose the question then is more that they're not a team worker, not you. There is an element of crap to it, but you do have to try and convince them that you'll interact well with a team when required and that you work well with other disciplines (more buzzwords!), because that is a large part of working life.

dazberry

It may seem like a silly question until you find yourself on a team with someone how doesn't play ball. I was team lead on a project where the team sort of fractured and it was all due to one guy. I would have had him out the door immediately, but my plees fell on deaf ears

D.