What is a teamwork assessment?

Teamwork assessments measure a candidate’s ability to work in a group. They may include tasks, group exercises or scenario-based questions. These tests evaluate communication, problem-solving and cooperation skills. You can also use them to learn how a candidate may interact with others and contribute to team goals.

Why use teamwork assessments in hiring?

While resumes are helpful evaluation tools, assessing teamwork skills can be challenging, especially if prior roles involved more autonomous work. Teamwork assessments allow you to introduce hypothetical scenarios to better evaluate your potential new hire. Hiring candidates who share your core values may help reduce future turnover.

Benefits of using teamwork assessments

Teamwork assessments may offer benefits that support your hiring process:

• Improve team alignment: They may help you choose candidates who work well with others and adapt to your team’s style.
• Boost productivity: Team assessments may allow you to consider an applicant’s compatibility with your existing team before you take further steps in the hiring process. If you ensure the candidate can successfully add to the team, you might notice increased productivity directly after onboarding.
• Reduce hiring risks: You can spot potential issues, such as candidates who prefer individual work or need to refine their communication skills, saving time and resources.
• Enhance company culture: If you conduct a successful teamwork assessment, you can help ensure your new hire supports strong collaboration and their actions reinforce a positive work environment.

Types of teamwork assessments

Different types of teamwork assessments provide varied insights into a candidate’s abilities. Consider these options:

• Self-assessments: Candidates answer questions about their teamwork skills to offer a personal view of strengths and weaknesses.
• Peer assessments: Colleagues or previous team members evaluate a candidate’s collaboration style and provide feedback on how a candidate works in a team setting.
• Group exercises: Candidates work together on a task while you observe their communication, problem-solving skills and ability to share responsibilities.
• Scenario-based tests: Present candidates with hypothetical challenges related to teamwork to assess how they may handle conflict, delegate tasks and contribute to team goals.

How to implement teamwork assessments in your hiring process

You can follow these tips to integrate teamwork assessments into your hiring process:

• Define clear criteria: Write down the teamwork skills you need, such as communication, reliability and cooperation. Clear criteria can help you assess candidates fairly.
• Choose a suitable tool: Select a teamwork assessment and tools relevant to the day-to-day tasks the candidate will perform.
• Incorporate assessments into the interview process: Add the teamwork test to your hiring process to help you assess a candidate’s skills upfront.
• Evaluate results with set benchmarks: Develop a simple scoring system for responses. Use consistent benchmarks to objectively evaluate candidate performance.
• Provide feedback: Share feedback with candidates after the assessment, including what worked well and what could be improved, to ensure transparency in your process.

Best practices for effective teamwork assessments

If you add teamwork assessments to your hiring process, preparing both your team and the candidates can help ensure success. Follow these best practices to get the most out of your teamwork assessments:

• Set clear expectations: Tell candidates what the assessment covers so they’re well-prepared.
• Keep instructions simple: Use clear language so every candidate understands the test without confusion.
• Train your interviewers: Ensure everyone involved in the hiring process knows how to interpret and score the assessments.
• Review and update regularly: Periodically check your assessment tools and adjust them as your team’s needs change.

Common teamwork assessment tools

You might adjust your evaluation strategy based on the level of collaboration needed for the open position. Several teamwork assessment tools can help you make informed hiring decisions, including:

• Online teamwork tests: These tests measure collaboration skills, are easy to administer and provide instant results.
• Simulation exercises: Use live tasks or simulations that mimic day-to-day work scenarios to observe how candidates interact in real time.
• Behavioral questionnaires: Ask candidates to describe past teamwork experiences. Their answers give you insight into how they’ve handled real challenges.
• Customized assessments: Create tests tailored to your company’s specific teamwork values.

Measuring the impact of teamwork assessments

Measuring results is key to improving your hiring process. You can monitor how many candidates pass the teamwork assessment and continue to perform well in their roles and with others. This data may help refine your assessment process.

Hiring for teamwork and collaboration

Hiring candidates who value teamwork and contribute to a positive work environment can be challenging. You may overcome this obstacle by following these four steps.

1. Understand teamwork in hiring

Selecting the right candidate goes beyond assessments. Hiring for teamwork means focusing on qualities that build a connected, cooperative workforce. Consider candidates who communicate clearly, actively listen, show empathy and support group efforts.

2. Assess teamwork skills in interviews

During interviews, ask questions that reveal a candidate’s past team experiences. For example, you might request a description of a time they helped resolve a conflict or worked together to complete a challenging project. You may record their responses to compare them with other applicants’ answers.

3. Evaluate interest and request references

Look for signs of openness, eagerness to learn, a positive mindset and readiness to accept feedback. Request references that can verify their ability to work well in groups and how they contributed to previous teams.

4. Highlight your company’s teamwork culture

Showcasing your team environment during the hiring process helps attract candidates who value this skill. Mention teamwork and collaboration in your job postings and provide examples of how your current teams work together. If your company has a social media profile, share stories that highlight a supportive culture and make it clear that your company values these skills.

Use teamwork assessments to improve your hiring process

Teamwork assessments provide insight into how candidates work with others and drive team success. They empower you to choose candidates who meet your technical requirements and uplift your company culture and collaboration.

A well-integrated assessment process can reduce hiring risks and strengthen overall productivity. Start using teamwork assessments as a core part of your hiring strategy to help build a cohesive team of productive and happy employees.