Tell me about a time when you worked well as part of a team?
Winning Answer:
In a previous role at the Cabinet Office, I was asked to be a part of a team whose brief was to launch a new data-sharing product to reduce fraud working alongside stakeholders in the DWP, HMRC, Insurance, and Banking sectors.
We got together at the start of the task to nominate a team leader and then discuss the brief and agree on a plan of action for moving the product forward. We all then put forward ideas and suggestions for launching the product based on what we all thought would work best in terms of data sharing.
As the team leader, I then defined the action plan for the product launch and allocated tasks to all of the team members to complete within a set and agreed-on timescale to colleagues. Along with this, my responsibilities included setting up the online advertising campaigns and setting up the social media accounts for the product along with closely working with the communications team to gain positive media coverage for the concept.
Throughout the project we communicated regularly and clearly, we all supported each other with the team tasks, and we focused on achieving our defined objectives. By working as part of a team, we managed to successfully launch the product which was extremely well received with the results that all four stakeholders (DWP, HMRC, Banking, and Insurance) managed to significantly reduce fraud via the product.
HOW IS THIS DEMONSTRATING WORKING TOGETHER?
This answer shows you can work effectively as a team by listening to a brief, delegating tasks to colleagues appropriately, communicating regularly and concisely with team members and external stakeholders, and supporting each other to achieve the objectives. To be effective within a team, you must focus on the end goal, demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, and enthusiasm for the task, and be supportive of other colleagues.
