Employers may sometimes ask ‘do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?’
This question is usually asked to determine a candidate’s suitability and compatibility with the role. Some jobs will require employees to spend a lot of their time working on their own and others involve lots of regular team working.
When answering the question of whether you prefer to work independently or as part of a team during a job interview, it’s essential to strike a balance between them to show that you’re adaptable and can work effectively. Here are some tips to help you answer this question:
Highlight your strengths
If you’re an independent worker, emphasize that you’re self-motivated, disciplined, and able to take initiative. On the other hand, if you prefer to work in a team, emphasize your communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. However, be sure to emphasise that you are capable of both methods of working and avoid becoming too tied to one.
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Acknowledge the importance of both
Explain that you recognize the value of working independently and in a team. Emphasise that you understand that some tasks require individual focus, while others require collective effort to achieve the best results. Demonstrate that you are capable of both methods even if you do have a preference for one.
Provide an example
If possible, give an example of a project or task where you worked independently or as part of a team and achieved great results. Explain how your approach helped you complete the task successfully.
Tailor your answer to the job
Consider the job description and the company culture when answering this question. If the position requires a lot of independent work, emphasise your ability to work independently. If teamwork is essential to the position, highlight your ability to work effectively with others.
Research the company beforehand and analyse the job description to find out what the company culture is like and what is expected of you. This will help you tailor your answer to suit the role and its requirements.
Example answers
Prefer working in a team
“I find that working with other people towards a shared project is best as it allows everyone to share ideas with each other which I find very motivating. I value having the opportunity to interact with my colleagues, learn from others and receive feedback. In my previous role, I was part of the digital marketing team and spent a lot of my time developing new digital marketing strategies”
Prefer working independently
“I prefer working independently as I feel this allows me to focus on the task and stay productive. I realise that this role will require me to develop and implement projects independently and I am confident that with my self-motivation and strong attention to detail, I am the right person for this role”
Prefer working both independently and as part of a team
“I value the opportunity to work both independently and as part of a team. When working independently, I am self-motivated, disciplined, and able to manage my time effectively. For instance, in my previous role, I was tasked with implementing a new software from scratch. I researched the software, developed the concept, and executed the project successfully. However, I also understand the value of teamwork, as it can often lead to better results. When working in a team, I am a great communicator and collaborator. I actively listen to others’ opinions and ideas, and I am open to feedback. For example, during a team project, we had to meet a tight deadline. I took the initiative to organize the workload, assigned tasks to team members according to their strengths and ensured that everyone was on the same page. In the end, we successfully completed the project within the deadline. Therefore, I am adaptable and able to work effectively in different situations, whether independently or as part of a team”.
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