Teamwork as a recruitment criterion: what should you look for?

A well-functioning team is more than the sum of its individual parts. Employees who collaborate effectively reinforce each other and achieve results together. But strong teamwork doesn’t happen by accident.

“It starts with hiring the right people – and continues with creating the right environment,” says Clarissa Pryce, Manager at recruitment specialist Robert Walters.

Make collaboration central to the job description and CV screening

According to Pryce, the process begins with how organisations write their job adverts. “Avoid vague terms like ‘team player’ and instead be specific about what you’re looking for. For example: ‘participates in cross-functional projects’ or ‘supports colleagues in achieving shared objectives’.”

Teamwork should also be considered more proactively when screening CVs. Pryce explains: “Look for verbs like ‘contributed to’, ‘collaborated with’ or ‘supported’. More importantly, do candidates describe their role within the team and the impact of their contribution?”

Identifying team players during the selection process

A candidate might seem like a perfect fit on paper, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll function well in a team.

“That’s why behavioural interview questions are so important,” says Pryce. “Ask about previous team projects: what was their role, how did they handle conflict, what did they do to encourage collaboration? Those who work well in teams usually have no trouble providing specific examples.”

Practical assessments can also provide useful insights. Invite candidates to take part in a short team-based exercise or solve a fictional case study. “You’ll quickly see how someone listens, takes initiative, or makes space for others. That can be far more telling than a CV.”

Teamwork doesn’t end at hiring

Hiring for collaboration is one thing – encouraging it in everyday work is just as vital. “Even the best team players need the right environment to thrive,” Pryce says. Think of communication workshops, cross-departmental projects, or temporary job rotations to build mutual understanding and trust.

A culture of feedback also makes a difference. “By openly recognising and discussing collaborative behaviour, you give teamwork a visible role within the organisation. That encourages the kind of behaviour you want to see.”

A lasting priority

“Strong teamwork starts with the right recruitment, but it doesn’t stop there. By making collaboration a focus at every stage – from job description to onboarding and development – you gradually build a workplace culture where teams genuinely function. And that is exactly what makes the difference today,” Clarissa concludes. 

More information

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