Show hiring managers that you're a team player with these vital skills!

Would you call yourself a team player? If you want to excel in the world of work, you must have a set of impressive team working skills. Highlighting these on your professional CV tells a potential employer that you have what it takes to collaborate with others. So, which should you include and why do they matter? Read our guide to get the inside scoop now. 

What are teamwork skills and why do they matter?

Before we take a look at some team working skills examples, let's dive into a definition. Teamwork skills are the key traits that allow both you and your co-workers to thrive professionally. There are few jobs out there in which you work completely alone. Most of the time, we rely on others to help us complete our tasks - yes, we need each other. 

Around three-quarters of employers say that teamwork is “very important” in their organisation. For that reason, showcasing team working skills on your CV could be the difference between getting an interview or getting thrown straight in the rubbish. 

15 teamwork skills - examples and definitions 

Now that you know why team working skills matter, let's take a look at the most common ones you may include on your CV. There's a whole lot that goes into being a great team player. We've highlighted 15 competencies that you might have if you work well with others.

1. Communication 

First up, it's one of the most vital team working skills. Without proper communication, you'll find it difficult to work with other people. It's that simple. When we talk about good teamwork skills, that's the reason that this one always comes at the top of the list. 

Both your verbal and written communication should be on point. That way, you can share information with your co-workers, avoid any confusion, and work towards a shared goal. You should be direct and assertive when speaking to others but never aggressive. 

2. Empathy 

Put simply, empathy is the ability to understand other people's emotions or thoughts. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that this approach can improve relationships with both strangers and people you already know. 

When you're working with a team, chances are you might not always see eye-to-eye with each member. You might have times when you disagree. That's perfectly okay. However, you should be empathetic towards your co-workers and try to see their point of view. 

3. Honesty

Owning up to your mistakes is vital in a team environment. The truth of the matter is that we all make errors. You might miss a deadline or forget to make a call. It happens. Now, what you must not do in this scenario is try to shift the blame onto someone else. Honest employees will speak up when they've made an error and apologise for it right away.

4. Active listening 

Active listening is essential to teamwork. Research suggests that this approach can improve communication within a working environment. When you're having a conversation with a co-worker, it's important to give them the space to say their piece. Rather than merely waiting for a gap so you can start speaking again, listen to what they have to say. 

5. Self awareness

Self awareness allows your team to be more effective overall. If you lack this team working skill, you may find that it's tricky to get the job done. Self awareness is the ability to reflect on yourself and the role that your actions play. For example, if you're working with others on a project, you need to deeply understand how your contributions affect the end goal. While some people are more self-aware than others, this is a core skill that you can work on.  

6. Time management 

How is your time management? Are you always running late? Do you consistently miss deadlines? Are you unsure of how to prioritise your workload? If you struggle when it comes to this task, you may find that you don't gel well in a team. When you're working with a group of people, you're each relying on the others to complete certain tasks. 

The moment that one person starts to fall behind, it has a direct impact on the rest of the team. While some people are naturally organised and have clear schedules, this skill can be harder for others. Luckily, there are ways you can improve your time management at work. You may want to use certain apps to track your everyday tasks, for example. 

7. Reliability 

Reliability is often a byproduct of proper time management. As we've already covered, your team is relying on you to pull your weight. If you can't do that, you let the whole side down. This ability is about delivering what you've promised, when you've promised it. When each member of the workforce does just that, it can quickly lead to great teamwork. 

8. Organisation 

Great organisation is one of the core team work skills every professional needs. While you may well have a line manager directly above you, you need to take ownership of your schedule. Often enough, companies use workflow management tools, such as Asana or Monday. However, you may also want to use apps to help boost your productivity. 

It's important to recognise that we all have different approaches to work. Figure out how you can best organise your workload and what style helps you to perform.

9. Problem solving

Whenever you look at team working skills examples, problem-solving will always crop up. Why? Because you will always come up against obstacles when you're working with other people. You may find your work styles clash or that you struggle to keep in touch. Whatever the issue, your problem-solving skills will help you to work around it swiftly. 

10. Critical thinking 

Critical thinking is your ability to apply logic to any given situation. Professionals who are good at teamwork have this trait. It means that you can quickly analyse situations as they arise and come up with the best possible solution. If you work in a fast-paced sector, where decisions need to be made ASAP, this skill always leads to great teamwork. 

11. Respect 

Respect is the foundation of any professional relationship. When you're working as part of a team, you need to show a level of respect for what everyone else brings to the table. There's no room for lone wolves here. Acknowledge that each member of staff has an important role to play and give them the support they need. Sure, you might not want to be best mates with everyone you work with, but you must show everyone the same respect.

12. Conflict resolution 

More than a quarter of British employees say that conflict is prominent in their workplace. Yes, you might have to deal with a difficult co-worker or a manager who has a completely different agenda to you. Either way, conflict resolution is the answer. 

If you have excellent interpersonal skills, you should have no problem overcoming these challenges. It's unrealistic to think that you will always get along with everyone. However, in a professional setting, you need to have the right approach to managing disagreements.

13. Tolerance

Tolerance is all about embracing diversity and having an open-minded attitude. When you're working as part of a team, it's likely that you will meet people from a range of backgrounds and those with varying perspectives. Understanding that people are different is the base level here. In some cases, a workplace may have diversity training for you.

14. Leadership 

Every team needs a strong, competent leader. Here's an example of team working skills that will help you to get ahead. If you can communicate well and motivate your co-workers, you might be in line for a promotion. While you shouldn't take over every project without permission, having some leadership qualities will help drive the entire team forward. 

15. Collaboration 

If you're working as part of a team, you need to learn how to collaborate. In basic terms, that means working well with others. You might use all of the other team working skills when you're collaborating. For instance, you will likely have to communicate with others, listen to their concerns, be reliable in completing your tasks, and more. 

How to improve your teamwork skills 

We've already shared some of the best examples of teamwork in the workplace, but it doesn't end there. If you're hoping to improve your teamwork skills, there are some tricks to try: 

  • Be clear on your duties and how they impact the wider team 

  • Ask your line manager for some constructive feedback

  • Practice your active listening skills on a daily basis

  • Build positive relationships with your coworkers

  • Work towards a shared goal - not your own agenda

Whether you're a team work skills master or new to the game, there will always be room for improvement. Consider the ways you can enhance your existing skill set today.

The takeaway

Teamwork is an essential characteristic for professionals. Now that you know what the main team working skills are, why not pepper your CV with them? Showing hiring managers that you can collaborate and fit into the workplace is a savvy move. Of course, you may also want to strengthen your existing team working skills to get ahead of the game. 

Looking to level-up in your career? TopCV's professional CV writing service may be the stepping stone you're looking for. Send out a keyword-optimised application, written by a professional, to supercharge your job search. Getting the support of an expert could help you get more interviews and land a job faster!

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