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Importance of teamwork?

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justin520
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Importance of teamwork? [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 09 Mar 2007, 01:57
Im doing research on the types of questions asked in the admission interview and I always see, "Name an instance of teamwork during your career," or something like that. I am having a hard time thinking of an answer to this...While working as an accounting intern during school I just sat at my desk and did my work. I didn't need to work with anyone else. After graduation I became a teacher. I've organized a weekend class for underprivilaged kids, but I don't actually "work" with the other teachers. The closest things I can think of when it comes to teamwork are the projects I did in college and my time as a waiter when I was younger.

How important is the teamwork aspect of the interview? If you were in my place, how would you get around this question? Will they even ask this question after seeing my resume and realizing that the question doesn't really apply to me? Thanks for any input.

Originally posted by justin520 on 09 Mar 2007, 01:32.
Last edited by justin520 on 09 Mar 2007, 01:57, edited 1 time in total.
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[#permalink] New post   09 Mar 2007, 01:48
Duke is really big on this, to the point that it can get awkward in the interview. It seemed like they were asking the exact same question in a slightly different way over and over again. If you're interviewing with Duke, be sure to have lots of different examples of teamwork; success, failure, recent and distant past.

On the other hand, teamwork was a non-factor in my Columbia interview. We spoke for two hours and I don't recall talking about teamwork for even one sentence.

I think it just depends on the school.
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jaynayak
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[#permalink] New post   09 Mar 2007, 01:57
Team work is the buzz word in MBA.

In allmost all industry MBA Grads go into, they have to work in teams to execute a project. That said, instances of team work doesnot have to always come from your work place (though it would be considered good if it did)

Okay let me take a shot at your situation.

So you are a teacher now. I guess coducting your day to day activity doesnot require much interaction with others. But surely the school must be holding events where 2-3 teachers would form a group and organize everything. if you have participated in such an event that could be a good point to start.

Another situation that comes to my mind is the regular faculty meetings. Faculty in itself is a team and obviously the faculty must be meeting to discuss various issues facing the school or new initiatives to be taken. Take out examples where you had to convince your fellow teachers about a initiative or gave a resolution to one of the issues.
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[#permalink] New post   09 Mar 2007, 07:06
jaynayak wrote:
Team work is the buzz word in MBA.

In allmost all industry MBA Grads go into, they have to work in teams to execute a project. That said, instances of team work doesnot have to always come from your work place (though it would be considered good if it did)

Okay let me take a shot at your situation.

So you are a teacher now. I guess coducting your day to day activity doesnot require much interaction with others. But surely the school must be holding events where 2-3 teachers would form a group and organize everything. if you have participated in such an event that could be a good point to start.

Another situation that comes to my mind is the regular faculty meetings. Faculty in itself is a team and obviously the faculty must be meeting to discuss various issues facing the school or new initiatives to be taken. Take out examples where you had to convince your fellow teachers about a initiative or gave a resolution to one of the issues.


This is solid advice.

Read it twice.

If you can't think of anything, post here, and I'll try to help you think of more things.
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justin520
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[#permalink] New post   09 Mar 2007, 22:15
Thanks for all the good advice. It's tough to try to put the right "spin" on this without being dishonest. Your advice is a good start. Thanks again, and if you have more advice keep it coming! This teamwork question is the only one I am having trouble with. I'm good with the rest of the potential interview questions.

Would you guys think that using a college project example would be detrimental?
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[#permalink] New post   09 Mar 2007, 22:55
When I interviewed at Duke, they really didn't seem to care where the experience came from, as long as you were in a team of equals and not in a leadership role. Like most of us, I tend to magically gravitate toward a leadership role, so I don't have a ton of true "team" experiences. I think the timing of the thing is less important than the substance.

Another example - did you ever work with parents, teachers, and/or social works to help a student having problems? Ok, you may not have regular meetings, but if you've been in this situation, you must have felt a sense of loyalty to the student's well-being and an understanding of the importance of each person's role. Talking about your place in such an effort and your dedication to helping the student succeed would make you sound great. Find me an I-banker with something like that!
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[#permalink] New post   10 Mar 2007, 06:38
justin520 wrote:
Thanks for all the good advice. It's tough to try to put the right "spin" on this without being dishonest. Your advice is a good start. Thanks again, and if you have more advice keep it coming! This teamwork question is the only one I am having trouble with. I'm good with the rest of the potential interview questions.

Would you guys think that using a college project example would be detrimental?


Depend how many years its been since college. If its been a year, then no.
If it's been five.... it's not going to be detrimental, but its going to be weaker.
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