Job Search Soft Skills 101: Teamwork

Collaboration is key in today's workplace. Now not only do employers look for specific hard skills when hiring new candidates, they increasingly value soft skills too. 

Working well in a team is one of the most sought-after soft skills to boost employee performance. Successful teamwork improves all business areas, from collaborating with colleagues to actively listening to others. With almost 30% of jobs now being remote in the U.S., relevant soft skills are evolving. As a result, teamwork soft skills have become even more critical to maintain effective cooperation online. 

Keep reading to learn how to showcase your team skills to get ahead in your job search or current role.

Why Are Teamwork Skills Important to Employers?

Employers know that a strong team is the foundation of any thriving business. In fact, 75% of employers rate teamwork and collaboration as very important. Employers desire candidates who can work well with others and communicate clearly.

Productivity and results

Employers are ultimately interested in improving work output. Employees who work well together and pool resources can complete projects faster and achieve common goals that are impossible for individuals to achieve alone.

Creativity and innovation

Working together and having input from diverse opinions leads to more innovation and creative ideas. This, in turn, generates new and more effective solutions to problems, keeping companies competitive in the market. 

Effective communication

Effectively communication among team members helps create smoother processes. Employers look for adept communicators who can quickly resolve conflicts and create a positive workplace culture. 

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How Teamwork Skills Will Help You Shine as a Job Candidate

As a job candidate, showcasing your teamwork skills can help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting hired. 

Employers look beyond hard skills nowadays, so being able to show additional soft skills will set you apart. Showing examples of teamwork skills for interviews will demonstrate that you're an effective communicator and can actively listen to others. Candidates with good teamwork skills will likely be able to solve more problems for the company.

A team that works well together is highly valuable to a company. Well-oiled teams are more likely to achieve goals and complete tasks successfully, boosting company results and increasing revenue. Being able to show you are a team player will also make you more desirable to work with, highlighting a positive attitude. 

How to Develop Teamwork Soft Skills

To develop your teamwork skills, seek opportunities to work in a team environment. Remember, practice makes perfect, and teamwork is a skill you can evolve over time.

Go out and gain experience 

Attend team-building activities run by your employer or a community organization where you can practice working and building stronger relationships with others. You can even find events online. Or why not lead a project? Being a team player doesn't mean you should avoid leadership. In fact, leading a project at work can allow you to practice active listening and collaboration while making decisions and delegating tasks. 

Groups or clubs can help you develop your teamwork skills and find local opportunities or groups of interest through apps like MeetUp. Volunteering for team projects at work or in your community can help you develop your teamwork skills while giving back to the community.

Practice and get feedback

Practice communication with colleagues and friends. Focus on active listening during conversations and seek out diverse conversations with people with different backgrounds and perspectives. Build trust with your colleagues by following through on commitments. 

Accept feedback from others on your teamwork skills and use it to improve. Being open to constructive criticism helps you develop your teamwork skills and build stronger relationships with your colleagues. Turn negatives into positives by learning from them and using them to answer strengths and weaknesses questions in an interview.

How to Showcase Teamwork on Your Resume and in Interviews

Here are a few tips to help you highlight your teamwork skills on your resume. Don't worry if you feel your teamwork experience isn't relevant. You can find ways to identify transferable skills to add to your resume. 

• Add teamwork to your skills section: Include skills like collaboration and communication in the skills section of your resume. Tailor this section to match each job you are applying for.
• Mention relevant awards or roles: Include any teamwork-based awards you have won or any job roles that entailed managing relationships or collaboration.
• Include keywords around teamwork: Some companies use applicant tracking systems to scan resumes, so identify relevant keywords based on the job description and include them in your resume.
• Use specific examples: Describe how you helped a team succeed or perhaps how you handled a disagreement. 
• Use action words: Showing your skills through action words like "collaborated," "coordinated," and "communicated" is much more impactful than just stating you're a team player. 

Leverage Teamwork to Go Further

Showcasing the right soft skills on your resume is crucial for a successful job search. Becoming a team player can help you land your next opportunity and rise through the ranks. Candidates that demonstrate effective teamwork are more desirable to employers and stand out from the competition. 

If you want to have more impact in your quest for your dream role, discover more resources to up-level your resume and interview skills.