How to Hire Strong Team Players

Hiring strong team players will ensure your business will succeed and will have an enjoyable work environment. There are many ways to tell if a potential employee will be a good team player. First, try to hire people who have previously worked with someone you know. Finding out what their work style is before you even interview them brings you closer to the hiring the right person.

Things You'll Need

• Resumes of possible employees.
• Phone numbers of the references employees give you during interviews.
• A list of questions to ask during interviews.
• A job description for the open position.

Instructions

The Interview

1. Start your hiring process by contacting people you know in your industry and getting leads on star employees you may want to recruit. When you hire someone who has previously worked with one of your contacts you will have a true picture of what that employee is like in the day to day work setting. Your contacts will be able to inform you about the employee's ability to handle the duties of the job you have open. You will hear an honest critique of the employee's strengths and weaknesses from your industry contacts. Networking is a wonderful way to find employees who will be an asset for your company.

2. Check all references of potential employees. Ask the reference if the person will be a good team player. Also, call other employees at the company where the interviewee worked. Don't just call the people they listed as references, call other people there too. Get a feel for if the person was well liked and respected in their prior jobs. Ask the reference to give you 5 words to describe the former employee. Often the words that you hear will allow you to decide if you think the employee will be a good team player and a good choice to hire. Also, ask for written references.

3. Create a list of questions to ask all applicants at interviews. Questions that relate to team work skills may include: Do you like to work alone or with other people? Do you get along with most coworkers? Have you ever been the lead on a group project? How many people have you supervised in the past? How do you handle conflict in the workplace? Do you like to make decisions on your own or as a group process?

4. Ask about their negotiation skills. Communicating well with others is a crucial part of negotiating. Ask the candidate if they have experience in bringing people from different departments together to work on a group project. Ask them what the hardest part of that process entailed. Also ask the candidate what they think they would learn from making being a team player a number one priority in the job.

5. Tell each candidate fill out an application about their prior work experience. The application will contain a writing section where the candidate will be asked to explain how their abilities as a team player will enhance the success of the company and help them to be an excellent employee.

Ask the Candidate to Describe Their Work Personality

1. Ask the potential employee to fill out a sheet of paper listing 5 words each to describe their strengths and weaknesses in the workplace. Then look over the list and discuss it with the candidate. Also ask about the candidate's work ethic. Ask them for 3 words to describe their work ethic. Ask if they are able to work overtime if needed.

2. Ask the candidate to describe to you what they have learned from working with others during the history of their career. Ask for specific skills learned and whether or not they then shared those skills with their coworkers.

3. Ask the candidate whether or not they feel optimism is an important characteristic of an employee. Most companies do feel it is important and that it fosters strong team work. Next, ask the candidate if they are able to give other workers credit when they come up with an idea that benefits the entire team. Is the candidate willing to share the glory of success with other people?

4. Ask each candidate to write their definition of a team player. Then discuss it and then also provide your definition of a team player. Let the candidate know what sort of skills and mindset you wish them to have to obtain the job. Also give the candidate a written job description so they know exactly what the job will entail.

5. Have several people interview the candidate at the first interview. Get a myriad of opinions on each candidate. Then, at the final interview, have several executives in the interview to talk with the candidate and then make a group decision about the hiring process.

Tips & Warnings

• Get as much information about a candidate for a job opening as possible before making a job offer.

• Get written reference letters for each candidate applying for a job.

• Ask each candidate to provide a definition of a team player.

• Check each candidate's references carefully.

• Ask for college transcripts for each candidate.