3 qualities of a team player

Any job seeker who has browsed through job listings online has probably noticed a pattern: Employers seek out talented professionals who work well as a member of a team. Technology has given companies more ways to collaborate than ever before, and that means everyone is expected to be a team player.

Candidates should look for examples of these three qualities in their previous work or seek to develop them in their current positions:

1. Communication skills

One of the most important qualities of a team player is the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders. Job seekers should be able to demonstrate solid verbal and nonverbal skills in multiple contexts. For example, a software engineer needs to be able to explain complicated terms to a layperson, demonstrate value to managers and make requests from other departments. Each of these interactions requires the ability to assess the other person's technical knowledge so that the message can be relayed in an effective manner.

"If possible, bring multiple examples to the table – whether from previous employment, as a volunteer, in school, etc.," says Amy Culpepper, Division Director of Beacon Hill's Financial Division in Nashville. "Roles vary from project to project, so it is important to demonstrate that you can be an effective communicator in any function."

During the interview process, job seekers should come prepared with examples of how they have used their communication skills in their previous work. As noted by The Balance, communication skills come in many forms. The ability to listen well when others are speaking is just as important as being able to break a topic down into its component parts, for instance.

2. Reliability

Teams are only as strong as their individual members. If everyone is reliable, processes become more efficient and collaboration is possible. When deadlines are looming and clients are waiting for key assets, every member of the team is responsible for the successful completion of the project. A team player doesn't simply drop off when his or her part is over. He or she steps up and offers to help the others toward the finish line.

Company loyalty is one way of showing off reliability, but it's far from the only way to do so. Candidates should provide examples of instances when they went above and beyond the call of duty to help out fellow team members.

3. Active participation

A solid team player comes to every meeting prepared and ready to participate. Employers don't want employees who just show up, go through the motions and clock out. Team players offer value to their employers in many ways, such as bringing new ideas to the table, offering insights from previous experience and utilizing special knowledge to solve problems.

If possible, candidates should try to exemplify this trait through examples with solid numbers. For instance, employees who have saved their previous employers money through process improvements can show that they understand the value they bring to the organization. Providing actual dollar amounts or percentages quantifies that worth and puts it in terms that anyone can understand and appreciate.

Becoming a better team player requires reflection on past experiences and a dedication to self-improvement. Learn more about how to boost your job search by contacting the expert recruiters at Beacon Hill Staffing Group today.

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