In today’s highly competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd when applying for a job. One effective way to do so is by highlighting your teamwork skills on your resume.
Working as a team player is highly valued by employers, as this skill demonstrates your ability to collaborate, communicate, and work effectively with others to achieve common goals.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best teamwork skills to include on your resume, and provide tips on how to showcase them effectively to potential employers. Whether you’re a new graduate looking for your first working opportunity or an experienced professional seeking a new opportunity, mastering these teamwork skills can help set you apart and land your dream job.
Table of Contents
What Are Teamwork Skills?
Teamwork skills refer to the abilities and qualities that enable individuals to work effectively and collaboratively with others towards a common goal.
These skills are highly valued in the workplace, as they allow individuals to be productive and successful as part of a team. Some of the key teamwork skills include effective communication, active listening, cooperation, adaptability, problem-solving, and leadership.
Effective communication involves being able to clearly and concisely convey information to others, while active listening involves being attentive and responsive to the ideas and opinions of others. Cooperation involves working together towards a shared goal, while adaptability requires the ability to adjust and be flexible in response to changing circumstances.
Problem-solving skills are critical for identifying and resolving issues that may arise during a project, and leadership skills involve the ability to motivate and guide others towards success. By mastering these teamwork skills, individuals can work effectively with others and achieve success as part of a team.
Top 10 Teamwork Skills for Resumes + Examples
Communication
Effective teamwork requires the ability to express your thoughts clearly and understand others’ perspectives, irrespective of the mode of communication, be it in person, through writing, instant messaging, or phone calls. It’s crucial to have open and honest communication that is built on trust to foster a culture of mutual respect within teams. Besides, nonverbal cues are equally important in conveying messages effectively. Creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to share their opinions and ideas is a hallmark of a great team.
Learn more: Top Communication Skills for Resume
Here’s an example of how to describe communication on a resume:
“Proficient in fostering open and honest communication within teams, promoting a culture of mutual trust and respect.”
Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution is an essential teamwork skill that involves the ability to effectively manage and resolve conflicts that may arise between team members. According to Gitnux, the average American employee spends about two hours per every week resolving workplace conflicts.
Effective conflict resolution involves identifying the root cause of the conflict and finding a mutually beneficial solution that satisfies the needs of all team members. By mastering conflict resolution skills, individuals can help create a positive work environment that fosters collaboration, trust, and productivity within the team.
Here’s an example of how to describe conflict resolution on a resume:
“Comfortable with using effective communication and negotiation skills to de-escalate conflicts and find mutually beneficial solutions.”
Reliability
Reliability is a critical teamwork skill in the workplace. This skill involves consistently fulfilling commitments and meeting deadlines, which is essential for building trust and establishing a reputation for dependability within a team. Being reliable means taking responsibility for your work, following through on your promises, and being accountable for your contributions to the team.
By demonstrating reliability, individuals can gain the respect and trust of their teammates, which is essential for building strong and successful teams. Additionally, reliable team members help ensure that projects are completed on time and to a high standard, which is crucial for achieving the team’s goals and objectives.
Here’s an example of how to describe reliability on a resume:
“Skilled in consistently meeting deadlines, following through on commitments, and taking ownership of work.”
Adaptability
Adaptability is an important teamwork skill that involves the ability to be flexible and adjust to changing circumstances or new information. In today’s fast-paced business environment, adaptability is essential for teams to remain competitive and responsive to changing market conditions. Adaptable team members are quick to learn and apply new skills, are open to feedback and suggestions, and can work effectively with team members with diverse backgrounds and working styles.
By being adaptable, team members can pivot and adjust their strategies as needed, allowing the team to achieve its goals and overcome obstacles. Adaptability is particularly important when working on complex projects or when new challenges arise, as it allows teams to find creative solutions and work collaboratively to achieve success.
Here’s an example of how to describe adaptability on a resume:
“Proficient in pivoting quickly when new information or obstacles arise, and identifying creative solutions to overcome challenges.”
Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness is an essential teamwork skill that involves building and maintaining trust with team members. Trust is the foundation of effective teamwork, and team members who are viewed as trustworthy are often more respected, valued, and included within the team. Trustworthy team members are reliable, honest, and consistent in their actions and decision-making, which fosters an environment of mutual respect and accountability.
Building trust requires being transparent and open in communication, admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for them, and following through on commitments. By being viewed as trustworthy, team members can help create a positive work environment where ideas can be shared freely, conflicts can be resolved quickly, and team members can work together collaboratively towards shared goals.
Here’s an example of how to demonstrate trustworthiness on a resume:
“Demonstrated reliability and dependability by meeting deadlines, following through on commitments, and taking ownership of work.”
Accountability
Accountability is a crucial teamwork skill that involves taking responsibility for one’s actions and contributions to the team’s success. Accountable team members own up to their mistakes and take steps to rectify them, rather than placing blame or making excuses. Being accountable also means being transparent and honest in communication, providing regular updates and progress reports, and following through on commitments to ensure that deadlines are met and projects are completed successfully.
By being accountable, team members demonstrate their commitment to the team’s success, earn the trust and respect of their colleagues, and contribute to a positive and productive work environment. Additionally, accountable team members can help identify and address issues or obstacles that may be impeding the team’s progress, working collaboratively to find solutions and overcome challenges.
Here’s how to demonstrate accountability on a resume:
“Maintained transparency and regular communication with project stakeholders to provide progress updates, resolve issues, and manage expectations.”
Decision-making
Decision-making is an essential teamwork skill that involves the ability to make effective decisions collaboratively with team members. Effective decision-making requires a combination of analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Team members must be able to assess a situation, gather relevant information, weigh options, and arrive at a decision that is aligned with the team’s goals and objectives. In a collaborative decision-making process, team members must be willing to listen to and consider the perspectives of others, share ideas and insights, and work together to find the best solution.
By mastering decision-making skills, team members can contribute to a positive and productive work environment, where ideas are shared and innovative solutions are developed. Additionally, effective decision-making can help teams achieve their goals and objectives in a timely and efficient manner.
Here’s an example of how to describe decision-making on a resume:
“Comfortable with taking calculated risks and adapting to changing circumstances to achieve project objectives.”
Organization and Planning
Organizational and planning skills are essential teamwork skills in the workplace. These skills involve the ability to effectively manage time, resources, and priorities to ensure that team goals are met in a timely and efficient manner. Organizational skills involve developing and maintaining systems and processes to manage workflow, resources, and data effectively.
Planning skills involve setting goals and objectives, defining tasks and timelines, and anticipating and mitigating risks and obstacles. Effective organizational and planning skills require collaboration and communication with team members to ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals. By mastering these skills, team members can contribute to a positive and productive work environment, where projects are completed on time and to a high standard.
Here’s an example of how to describe organization and planning on a resume:
“Skilled in managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, and effectively delegating tasks to team members to ensure that deadlines are met.”
Willingness to Learn
Willingness to learn is an important teamwork skill to include on a resume because it demonstrates an eagerness to grow, adapt, and improve in order to contribute to the team’s success. When you’re willing to learn from your team members, you’re able to take advantage of their expertise and experience, and you can apply what you’ve learned to your own work.
Additionally, when you’re open to feedback and willing to learn from your mistakes, you can improve your performance and help the team achieve its objectives more effectively. Employers value employees who are willing to learn because it shows that they are committed to their professional development and to contributing to the team’s success over the long term.
Here’s an example of how to describe a willingness to learn on a resume:
“Willing to take on additional responsibilities and tasks to broaden my experience and further develop my skills.”
Tolerance
Tolerance is an important teamwork skill that involves being accepting and respectful of the opinions, beliefs, and working styles of others. In a diverse and inclusive workplace, team members must be able to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. Tolerance involves being open-minded, non-judgmental, and willing to listen to and consider the ideas and opinions of others. By demonstrating tolerance, team members can create a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and included.
Additionally, tolerant team members can help bridge differences and find common ground, fostering collaboration and cooperation within the team. By mastering this skill, team members can help promote a positive and productive work environment, where everyone can contribute to the team’s success.
Here’s an example of how to describe tolerance on a resume:
“Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with team members, clients, and stakeholders from a range of cultures and backgrounds.”
Here Are 20 More Teamwork Skills You Can Add to Your Resume:
- Delegation
- Respectfulness
- Persuasion
- Negotiation
- Initiative
- Team assessment
- Goal-setting
- Coaching and mentoring
- Flexibility
- Positive attitude
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Creativity
- Active listening
- Perseverance
- Self-awareness
- Strategic thinking
- Cultural competency
- Resourcefulness
- Team decision-making
What Are Team Building Skills?
Team building skills are the abilities and strategies used to foster collaboration, communication, and mutual respect among team members, and to help build a cohesive and productive team. These skills involve identifying and leveraging the unique strengths and skills of each team member, promoting open and honest communication, and developing strategies to address and resolve conflicts or challenges that arise within the team.
Effective team building skills also involve establishing clear goals and objectives, defining roles and responsibilities, and encouraging a culture of mutual trust and accountability. Team building skills are essential for creating a positive and productive work environment, where team members can work effectively together to achieve shared goals and objectives.
How to Describe Teamwork Skills on a Resume
Here are some best practices for including teamwork skills on your resume:
Mention Teamwork Abilities in Your Resume Summary/Objective
When including your teamwork skills in your resume summary or objective, it’s best to follow these guidelines:
Be specific: Instead of just saying you have good teamwork skills, provide specific examples of times when you worked effectively as part of a team. This could include projects you worked on, roles you played, and outcomes you achieved.
Use action-oriented language: Use active verbs to describe your teamwork abilities, such as “collaborated,” “contributed,” and “facilitated.” This shows that you were an active participant in the team, and not just a passive observer.
Highlight results: Whenever possible, mention specific results you achieved through teamwork. For example, if you worked on a project with a team and it resulted in a successful outcome, mention this in your summary or objective.
Tailor to the job description: Look at the job description and see if teamwork is mentioned as a desired skill. If so, tailor your summary or objective to highlight your teamwork abilities and how they relate to the position.
Keep it concise: Remember that your summary or objective should be brief and to the point. Focus on the most important teamwork abilities you possess and how they make you a strong candidate for the job.
Elaborate on Your Specific Role Within the Team
Elaborating on your specific role within the team is a great way to showcase your teamwork skills on your resume. Here are some tips on how to do this effectively:
Describe your role in detail: When highlighting your role within a team, it’s important to provide specific details. This could include your title, the tasks you were responsible for, and the skills you utilized to complete those tasks. For example, if you were part of a team that created a new marketing campaign, describe your role in developing the campaign, such as conducting market research, designing promotional materials, or managing social media outreach.
Highlight your contributions: Focus on your individual contributions to the team’s success. This could include any unique skills or strengths that you brought to the team, or any challenges you overcame. Be sure to include any specific achievements or outcomes that you helped achieve.
Emphasize your communication skills: Communication is a key aspect of teamwork. Highlight how you communicated with team members, such as through regular meetings, email updates, or other methods. Also, describe how you listened to and incorporated feedback from other team members.
Provide Specific Examples
When describing teamwork skills on a resume, it’s important to provide specific examples to demonstrate your abilities. Instead of simply stating that you are a “good team player,” try to include examples of times when you collaborated effectively with others to achieve a common goal. For instance, you might mention a project that you worked on as part of a team, and describe the specific tasks you were responsible for and how you worked with others to complete the project successfully. You could also highlight any specific skills or techniques you used to communicate and collaborate effectively with your teammates. By providing concrete examples of your teamwork skills, you can help potential employers better understand your abilities and how you might contribute to their team.
Add a Skill Section to Your Resume
Including a skill section in your resume to describe teamwork skills is a good idea because it allows you to highlight your ability to work effectively with others, which is a highly valued trait in many industries. By clearly outlining your teamwork skills, you can make it easier for potential employers to see how you might fit into their organization and contribute to their team.
Additionally, a skill section can help showcase your strengths and qualifications in a clear and concise manner, making it easier for hiring managers to quickly identify your relevant experience and skills. Overall, including a dedicated section for your teamwork skills can help your resume stand out to potential employers and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Use Team Player Phrases
Using team player phrases on your resume can help emphasize your collaborative and cooperative work style, which is highly sought after by many employers. For instance, you might include phrases such as “Collaborated with a cross-functional team to achieve project goals,” “Contributed to group brainstorming sessions to develop innovative ideas,” or “Supported team members to ensure project timelines and deliverables were met.” These types of phrases demonstrate your ability to work effectively with others, communicate and share ideas, and take an active role in achieving common goals. By highlighting your teamwork skills in this way, you can help potential employers see that you are a valuable team player who can contribute to their organization in a positive way.
Examples of Team Player Phrases for Resume
- “Worked collaboratively with a diverse team to develop and implement new company-wide initiatives.”
- “Supported team members to achieve project deliverables and ensure timely completion of tasks.”
- “Facilitated productive discussions and provided constructive feedback to enhance team performance.”
- “Fostered a positive team environment by encouraging open communication and active participation.”
- “Participated in cross-functional teams to identify and resolve operational issues, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.”
- “Coordinated with team members to develop and execute successful marketing campaigns that increased sales revenue by 20%.”
- “Worked closely with colleagues to create and deliver engaging training programs that improved overall employee performance and satisfaction.”
- “Acted as a reliable resource and mentor for team members, providing guidance and support as needed.”
- “Collaborated with management and team members to implement and maintain quality control measures, resulting in improved product quality and customer satisfaction.”
- “Contributed to a positive team dynamic by promoting inclusivity, respect, and teamwork to achieve common goals.”
Resume Example That Showcases Teamwork Skills
Samantha Lee
123 Main Street | Anytown, USA | (555) 555-5555 | samantha.lee@email.comObjective: To secure a position where I can leverage my teamwork skills to contribute to the success of the organization.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Marketing, ABC University
Skills:
Collaboration
Communication
Active listening
Leadership
Adaptability
Conflict resolution
Problem-solving
Planning and organizing
DelegationMarketing Manager, XYZ Company, 2021- Present
Led a cross-functional team of designers, developers, and copywriters to develop and launch a successful marketing campaign that generated $1 million in revenue
Collaborated with the sales team to identify and target new markets, resulting in a 20% increase in leads
Facilitated productive discussions and provided constructive feedback to enhance team performance
Supported team members to achieve project deliverables and ensure timely completion of tasks
Coordinated with team members to create and deliver engaging presentations to stakeholders
Acted as a mentor for team members, providing guidance and support as needed.
Marketing Coordinator, DEF Corporation, 2018-2022
Collaborated with the marketing team to develop and implement digital and print marketing campaigns
Coordinated with the design team to develop visually appealing marketing collateral
Supported the team in creating and delivering presentations to internal and external stakeholders
Assisted with event planning and execution, resulting in successful events and increased brand awareness
Acted as a reliable resource for team members, providing assistance and support as needed
Check all resume examples here.