Teamwork skills on your resume
Before a company commits to hiring you, it wants to know that you can function as part of a team. However, showcasing your ability to work with others involves a lot more than stuffing some “teamwork skills” resume phrases into your job application documents.
You’ll need to go the extra mile and create an engaging teamwork skills resume to demonstrate that you will be a good fit. When included in a resume and cover letter, teamwork skills highlight your ability to work collaboratively in a group setting to achieve a common goal.
A few examples of resume teamwork skills include conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and active listening. Here’s how to create a teamwork skills resume that positions you as a strong candidate.
Teamwork skills: What are they?
Teamwork skills refer to any abilities that enable you to work collaboratively in a group setting to achieve a common goal. These transferable skills can apply to virtually any industry where working as part of a group is required.
When composing your resume, teamwork skills are a helpful addition because they highlight your ability to contribute to an organization’s culture and success. Employers appreciate applicants who demonstrate strong collaboration abilities since such skills often lead to better team chemistry and improved project outcomes.
The role of teamwork skills in the job market
“Team player” synonyms and related abilities are some of the most important skills for resume documents in today’s job market. Many industries have embraced collaborative, interdepartmental work models, which makes teamwork more important than ever. Teamwork skills serve several functions in the job market, including:
- Impact Job Prospects: You may be more likely to receive job offers if you can readily integrate into an existing team
- Relevant in Different Industries: Teamwork can set you apart in multiple competitive markets
- Adaptable Across Roles: Collaboration skills allow you to navigate diverse work structures
Regardless of which field you want to work in, there is a strong chance that you will be required to work as part of a team.
Expert Tip:
Employers assess teamwork skills through resumes and interviews. Some employers may also administer skills tests to measure your emotional intelligence, communication, and collaboration capabilities. Prepare stories that demonstrate your teamwork abilities, and be ready to back up any claims made on your resume.
How and where to add teamwork skills in your resume
Here’s a look at where and how to say “team player” on resumes without actually using this generic term:
Summary/objective statement
A strong summary can immediately communicate your teamwork skills. For example, a summary statement may read as follows:
Example: Results-driven marketing professional with five years of experience leading cross-functional teams to execute high-impact campaigns
Multiple phrases in that example, including “cross-functional” and “leading,” specifically accentuate teamwork. A prospective employer will immediately know that the applicant worked with several departments simultaneously while managing complex projects.
Work experience section
You can also highlight how you’ve used teamwork to contribute to team, project, or company success. Here are two examples:
- Coordinated with a team of five designers to develop a new company website
- Led a cross-departmental initiative that improved interdepartmental communication
Where possible, add some quantifiable data to support your claims. In the first example above, you could say that the new website increased user engagement by 30%.
Skills section
Listing teamwork-related skills can provide a snapshot of your strengths. However, avoid generic phrases like “teamwork” or “team player.” Instead, try more dynamic phrases such as:
- Active listening
- Emotional intelligence
- Leadership in team settings
- Conflict resolution
Be prepared to elaborate on these abilities if you receive an interview opportunity. Identify stories or examples from your professional experience so you can explain how you have used your skills.
Education and certifications
If you have obtained any certifications related to teamwork or participated in group projects while obtaining your degree, list those achievements in this section.
Example: Collaborated with a team of four students to develop a business proposal that won first place in a university competition.
Need some more ideas about how and where to add teamwork skills to your resume? Check out some resume examples and get inspired to create more engaging job application documents.
The role of teamwork in a successful career
One way to help yourself stand out is by developing and showcasing how teamwork skills have supported your career growth. If you excel in collaboration, you can:
- Achieve professional goals
- Earn leadership opportunities
- Build strong workplace relationships
No matter what field you work in or what you hope to achieve, teamwork will play a role in your journey. Make sure you highlight what you bring to the table and how you can help the employer’s teams be more productive.
Want to learn more about how to showcase your teamwork skills when applying for a job? Review some resume and cover letter examples to better understand how to use “teamwork” and “team player” synonyms in your job application documents.
Quote: Employers appreciate applicants who demonstrate strong collaboration abilities, as these skills often lead to better team chemistry and improved project outcomes.
List of teamwork-related skills
A great teamwork skills resume will often include these “teamwork” synonym resume phrases:
Communication
You can’t work well as part of a team unless you can communicate information in a kind, accessible way. Discuss your communication skills and link it back to your experience. For example, if you frequently led meetings on your previous marketing team, talk about how you used communication to relay vital information and keep everyone focused.
Collaboration
If you are looking for another word for “teamwork” on resumes, collaboration is a top choice. Collaboration refers to your ability to work with and integrate into a team. If you are going to list collaboration skills on your resume, be specific. Give brief examples of times you’ve collaborated with coworkers both within and outside your department.
Cross-functional management
“Cross-functional” is a good “team player” synonym. Resumes that use this term demonstrate that the applicant is accustomed to leading blended teams or collaborating with other departments. For example, if you oversaw a collaborative project between sales and marketing, you could say that you have cross-functional management skills.
Active listening
There’s a big difference between listening to respond and listening to understand. Active listeners are engaged and want to understand the other person’s point. Talk about your listening skills and how you use them to be a better team member.
Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence refers to your ability to understand and manage how you feel. You must also be able to recognize and respond appropriately to other people’s emotions. High emotional intelligence will help you avoid conflicts and be a better teammate.
Adaptability
How do you respond when things don’t go according to plan? Do you get stressed, or do you bring everyone together to reach a common goal? Adaptability is critical for effective teamwork, as it allows you to overcome challenges and focus on the task at hand.
Conflict resolution
Any group of professionals passionate about their work is bound to have conflict sometimes. What’s important is focusing on the issue and addressing every grievance in a productive way. If you are going to list this as a teamwork-related skill, make sure to have a few examples ready of how you’ve resolved workplace conflicts in the past.
Choosing which skills to list is an important first step. However, you also need to make sure the skills stand out by selecting a modern resume format. Using templates is one of the fastest ways to make your resume more engaging and easier to read. Just make sure that your cover letter has the same layout and style.
How to put teamwork on resumes to stand out
A teamwork skills resume positions you as a strong candidate who is excited about the opportunity to work with other talented individuals. However, it’s vital that you showcase your teamwork abilities in an engaging and unique way.
With that in mind, remember to avoid overused language. It’s also a good idea to look at resume and cover letter templates for inspiration regarding how to highlight your diverse array of talents.
When in doubt, take advantage of a resume builder to ensure your job application documents mirror the skills that hiring managers are searching for. By creating a great resume that showcases your ability to collaborate and problem-solve, you enhance your odds of obtaining an interview.
