How to Write Teamwork Skills on a Resume? (30+ Examples)

Show your teamwork skills on your resume by using specific examples throughout your work experience. Mention roles where you participated in projects, led teams, or resolved conflicts, and use action verbs like “collaborated,” “coordinated,” or “facilitated.” for more impact. Focus on positive outcomes and quantify your achievements with numbers to demonstrate how your teamwork skills made a real impact. Always tailor your resume to the job ad by including similar keywords and relevant experiences that align with the requirements. 

One of your greatest strengths is working well with others — lucky for you, the job you want requires a solid team player. But simply writing “teamwork skills” on your resume feels as generic as saying you’re a hard worker. You want to make an impression, not blend in with the dozens of other candidates who claim to be a team player just because they can hold a conversation. 

Teamwork is about showing, not telling. We’ve all worked with others at some point, whether through school, college, or work. The trick is highlighting those experiences in your resume to prove you collaborate well with others. Your personal stories are way more compelling than simply writing “team player.”

This guide will show you: 

• Teamwork skills examples and phrases. 
• Words to describe a good team member. 
• How to say you work well with others on a resume

Why Are Teamwork Skills Important on a Resume?

Teamwork skills are all about getting along with and working well with others. They help you communicate, give and receive feedback, support colleagues, and lead teams. Whether you’re brainstorming new strategies, resolving conflicts, or finding solutions, good teamwork helps everything run smoother.

So, why should you include teamwork skills on your resume? Employers want to see that you can work well with a group to reach common goals. Teamwork builds a sense of unity which can drive progress.

Being a team player also shows you have other key workplace skills like strong communication, active listening, reliability, and respect. Employers look out for these traits, as they’re essential for a positive and collaborative environment.

Top Teamwork Skills Examples

What makes a good team player? Is it communicating with others, being a strong leader, or showing commitment to the team? It’s all of the above, and all are way more impactful than just writing “teamwork skills” on your resume.

Soft skills like teamwork should shine through your experiences. Below, we’ll dive into the best ways to show you’re a team player and how to weave those experiences into your resume.

Collaborating with team members 

Two heads are better than one: the classic saying that rings true in any workplace. Sure, we all crave some solo time now and then, but there’s no denying that good collaboration and communication can make things more productive.

Strong communication is the backbone of effective teamwork, whether you’re working from home or in the office. Highlighting these skills on your resume shows you’re not just all talk — it tells recruiters you can genuinely listen to your colleagues, have constructive discussions, and deliver results.

Here’s an example of how to highlight your collaboration skills on your resume: 

• Encouraged open communication across departments, leading to a 15% reduction in project errors. 
• Coordinated with remote team members across different time zones, ensuring seamless project integration and timely completion.
• Used various communication tools (email, instant messaging, video calls) to maintain effective and efficient information exchange, resulting in better team cohesion and project outcomes.

Here are some other soft skills related to collaboration: 

• Adaptability
• Active listening
• Social intelligence 
• Remote collaboration
• Digital communication

Leading a team or project 

Every team needs a leader to delegate, motivate, and keep tabs on those extra-long coffee breaks. You don’t need an official title to show leadership — it’s about supporting your team and solving problems to ensure success.

Offices are a mix of different personalities, so outlining your leadership skills tells recruiters you can adapt to diverse groups. Knowing your team members’ strengths and weaknesses helps you delegate tasks effectively, optimize results, and boost morale.

Here’s how to include leadership skills on your resume:

• Led a team of 10 in the completion of a six-month project, delivering results a month ahead of schedule.
• Encouraged open communication and collaboration within the team, leading to team efficiency improvements.
• Delegated tasks based on team members’ strengths, increasing individual productivity and enhancing overall project quality.

Check out these soft skills to describe your leadership qualities: 

• Influence 
• Project-planning 
• Persuasive skills
• Decision-making
• Team-management

Mentoring a new colleague 

Mentoring a new colleague is a great way to show you care about your team and the collective success of the company. When you mentor someone, you’re not just sharing what you know — you’re helping them fit into the team and thrive. It shows you’re invested in the team’s overall performance and willing to put in the effort for others.

Mentoring takes top-notch communication, patience, and the ability to give constructive feedback. You’re proving you can work with your colleagues to help them grow; a huge plus for any employer looking for a dedicated team player. 

Here’s an example of how to highlight this on your resume:

• Guided a new team member through onboarding, ensuring a smooth transition and quick integration into the team.
• Provided regular feedback and support, helping the new hire improve their skills and confidence. 
• Encouraged a collaborative learning environment, encouraging knowledge sharing and team cohesion.

Here are some traits of a good mentor: 

• Reliability
• Organization
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills 
• Relationship-building

Resolving conflicts 

Offices are full of characters — the ones who love to gossip or microwave fish (guilty, wouldn’t recommend). Not everyone will get along, and that’s alright, but constant conflict helps no one. Mediating and resolving issues shows you can keep the team running smoothly, even when things get tough.

Problem-solving and conflict management skills tell recruiters you’re good at finding solutions and committed to team harmony. These skills also show you can understand and respect diverse perspectives, which is great when dealing with customers or business partners.

Here’s how to describe conflict resolution on your resume:

• Mediated conflicts between team members, leading to better team morale and productivity.
• Implemented conflict resolution strategies that reduced workplace tensions and fostered a more collaborative environment.
• Ensured all team members' perspectives were considered, resulting in more comprehensive and effective solutions.

Here are some related soft skills to include: 

• Patience
• Tolerance
• Mediation
• Negotiation skills
• Conflict resolution

Being open to ideas and feedback

Listening to feedback and ideas is one thing, but actually considering and acting on them is way more impressive (and pretty rare). Feedback is key to self-improvement, and showing you can take constructive criticism from your bosses and team members proves you’re a true team player.

Being open to new ideas and feedback shows employers you can put your ego aside and see the bigger picture. Similarly, giving constructive feedback shows you care about the company’s success and are willing to speak up to reach common goals.

Here’s how to show your openness to feedback on your resume: 

• Regularly incorporated feedback from team members and supervisors, resulting in improved project outcomes.
• Suggested improvements to colleagues' work in a positive manner, boosting team efficiency and productivity. 
• Demonstrated adaptability by revising deliverables based on diverse feedback, ensuring high-quality results aligned with team goals.

Use these resume skills to show your willingness to accept feedback and ideas: 

• Flexibility 
• Accountability
• Open-mindedness
• Eagerness to grow
• Constructive feedback

Participating in workshops or meetings

We’ve all been there: someone in a meeting asks if anyone has questions or ideas, only to be met with an awkward silence. It takes guts to speak up, but it can show employers you’re an active participant willing to share your ideas with the group.

Blending into the background can lead to miscommunication or conflict. Making your voice heard and listening to others encourages a healthy team dynamic and ensures everyone’s on the same page.

Here’s how to show you’re keen to participate on your resume: 

• Regularly contributed to team meetings, ensuring clear communication and forming strong connections with team members.
• Voiced concerns and suggestions openly, leading to a decrease in project miscommunications. 
• Encouraged a collaborative environment by being receptive to others’ ideas, resulting in more innovative and effective solutions.

Here are some phrases to describe your participation skills: 

• Team-building
• Public speaking
• Positive mindset 
• Presentation skills
• Confident attitude

Encouraging brainstorms and discussion

Great teams thrive on openness and mutual respect. When everyone feels safe to brain dump and be creative, it pushes team members to step out of their comfort zones and explore new ideas.

Looking at an issue from different perspectives and exploring solutions based on team members’ strengths pushes the entire group to success. It tells employers you value diverse perspectives and can tap into the creativity and knowledge of the team.

Here’s an example of how to show these skills on your resume:

• Encouraged an open environment for brainstorming sessions, boosting team trust and creativity.
• Led discussions that explored issues from different perspectives, leading to innovative solutions. 
• Utilized time management skills to ensure brainstorming sessions were productive and included contributions from all team members.

Here are some key skills to show you’re open to discussion: 

• Creativity
• Innovation 
• Mutual respect 
• Problem-solving
• Critical-thinking 

What’s Another Word for Team Player?

You can call yourself a team player once, but using that generic phrase over and over gets old fast, especially since every other candidate probably said the same thing. Mixing up your language keeps things fresh and makes your resume stand out. The more you can hold the recruiter’s attention, the better your chances of landing an interview. 

Check out these team player synonyms to make your resume more dynamic: 

• Teammate
• Collaborator
• Group contributor
• Cooperative person
• Contributing member
• Team-oriented individual

And here are some “teamwork” synonyms and phrases to describe your skills and experiences: 

• Assistance
• Collaboration
• Combined effort
• Cooperation
• Coordination
• Mutual support
• Participation
• Partnership
• Synergy
• Team effort

How to Put Teamwork on a Resume?

Teamwork makes the dream work — a cliché so widely used that writing “teamwork” on your resume has become a cliché itself. But there’s real truth to it; being a great team player is an asset in any workplace. The trick is showing employers you’ve got these skills without sounding like you’re part of the buzzword brigade. 

So, how do you stand out? Check out these tips and examples to prove you’re a strong team player while avoiding overused phrases.

Add teamwork skills to your summary

Your summary is the movie trailer to your resume — it gives recruiters an idea of what’s to come and a glimpse into your potential as an employee. Mentioning teamwork skills in your resume summary is a great way to show you’re a team player from the get-go. 

Keep your resume summary concise and impactful. Don’t be generic by simply stating you have good teamwork skills — even the lone wolves can say they’re a team player. 

Instead, you must show you’re someone who contributes to the team’s goals. Think how your collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills led to success and briefly highlight them in your summary. 

Here’s an example resume summary for showing teamwork skills:

Dedicated and proactive professional with over 5 years of experience in collaborative environments. Known for excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and a proven track record of encouraging team cohesion and driving projects to completion. Adept at working with diverse teams to achieve common goals and deliver high-quality results.

My advice: write the summary last. Having all your experiences and skills already on your resume will help you pick the highlights for your summary — just like a movie trailer. 

Find out how to catch the recruiters’ attention: How to Write a Job-Winning Resume Summary (with Examples)

Tailor to the job description and company values 

You could have all the shiny skills and accomplishments on your resume, but it’s pretty worthless if it doesn’t align with what the employer wants. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a mind reader — the job description usually lays it all out for you.

Read the job ad carefully and pinpoint the key skills and responsibilities. If they need someone to help lead projects, highlight your experience with public speaking or mentoring employees. You don’t need to use the exact words — just show them you’ve got the skills to deliver.

That said, it’s worth weaving in some key phrases and keywords to get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many employers use to screen resumes. You can include relevant keywords from the job ad related to teamwork, like “problem-solving,” and “team communication,” as long as you show how these skills led to accomplishments. 

Another tip is to dive into the company’s values and mission statements. If the company emphasizes teamwork, they’ll likely mention it in the job ad or culture-related pages. For example, if they value open communication and innovation, highlight instances where you’ve contributed to brainstorming sessions or facilitated clear communication within a team.

Here’s a snippet from a library assistant job description: 

‍

They say teamwork is key to boosting morale and productivity. In your resume, you could highlight how you mentored an employee and helped them integrate into the company. Or, when you introduced new time-management tools to encourage your team to be more productive. Recruiters will read between the lines and see how your skills align with their values. 

Learn more: How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job to Any Job Description

Give specific examples in your work experience

Anyone can say they’re a team player. I gave a friend a bite of my sandwich once, does that make me a team player? Proving your teamwork skills and making an impression means getting specific. 

Start by talking about your role in the team. Were you a leader or a team member with specific responsibilities? It’s always best to be honest about your ranking with recruiters so they can get a better grasp of your potential. 

Mention specific teams you’ve worked with and how you banded together to reach common goals. Did you help achieve a significant project milestone or improve team efficiency? Providing concrete examples of your contributions will give potential employers a clearer picture of your teamwork skills.

Here’s an example of how you might frame this in your resume:

Marketing Coordinator 
XYZ Corp

• Collaborated with a team of five to launch a new marketing campaign, resulting in a 30% increase in customer engagement.
• Managed the social media strategy within the team, coordinating with designers and content creators to ensure cohesive messaging.
• Organized weekly team meetings to track progress and address any issues, which led to improvements in project completion time.

Don’t panic if you’re new to the workforce or lack direct job experience. Humans are social creatures, and teamwork isn’t limited to the office. Think about relevant activities like sports clubs, volunteer work, or group projects in school or your personal life. 

Even these can demonstrate valuable teamwork skills. Just make sure to tie them to the job ad and mention any recognition or achievements you earned while participating.

Learn how to frame your work experiences to show off your skills: How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume.

Emphasize positive results 

Outlining specific examples tells employers what you can do, but describing the positive results shows how your teamwork skills made an impact. Every company has problems to solve and goals to achieve — simply listing your duties doesn’t reveal how you can contribute to their success.

Describe specific achievements related to your teamwork skills by showing how you contributed to successful outcomes. For example, if you led a group, mention how you completed the project before schedule or exceeded customer expectations. 

Even small wins can impress recruiters. Highlight when you helped a colleague master a new technology or suggested a new brainstorming strategy for your bi-weekly meetings. These details can show your potential and help you stand out.

Administrative Assistant | XYZ Corporation
June 2020 - Present

• Collaborated with a team to streamline the company’s filing system, resulting in retrieval time reductions and improved overall efficiency.
• Coordinated with team members to organize company events, ensuring smooth execution and high employee engagement.
• Assisted in the development of a new onboarding process, working closely with HR to ensure all new hires received comprehensive training and support.
• Supported colleagues by troubleshooting technical issues and providing guidance on using new software, contributing to increased productivity. 

Whenever you can, include quantifiable results. Numbers, percentages, or outcomes pack a punch and show the impact of your teamwork. It’s one thing to say you contributed; it’s another to prove it with solid data.

Mention teamwork throughout your education 

Are you short on work experience? School and college are goldmines for teamwork skills. Think about those group projects, clubs, or activities where you teamed up with others. Have you ever led a study session, participated in a debate, or got roped into a group project? Highlight these experiences on your resume, focusing on what you did and how it turned out.

Here’s an example of how to add weight to your education section: 

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Berkeley
Graduated: May 2023

• Senior Design Project: Led a team of four in designing and building a prototype for an energy-efficient HVAC system, coordinating tasks and ensuring timely project completion.
• Engineering Club: Collaborated with peers to organize workshops and networking events, enhancing team communication and project management skills.

Mentioning examples of teamwork throughout your education shows employers you’re ready to contribute positively to a team-oriented environment, even without a strong professional background. 

Find out more: How to List Your Education Section On a Resume

Use team player synonyms in your skills section

You know the company values teamwork, and that you need to emphasize you’re a team player. But repeating yourself gets boring fast — especially when recruiters have seen the word “team player” hundreds of times before. 

Mix it up by using synonyms, similar phrases, and action verbs in your skills section to make it more dynamic and engaging. It’s a great way to convey your ability to work well with others without sounding repetitive. 

What specific qualities make you a strong team player? Words like “collaborative,” “cooperative,” and “supportive” can help highlight these traits. Choose synonyms that best fit your experiences and the role. 

Here are some key terms you can use to describe your teamwork skills: 

• Cohesion
• Collaboration
• Coordination
• Empathy
• Harmony
• Leadership
• Positiveness
• Synergy
• Team effort
• Versatility

Using varied language not only keeps your resume interesting but also ensures you cover different aspects of teamwork. Plus, the more keywords you use, the better your chances of getting the green light from ATS scanners. 

Check out our AI Skill Explorer to discover more skills you can weave into your resume. 

Include recognition for your team player skills 

Including recognition for your teamwork skills is a surefire way to validate your achievements and stand out in the stack of resumes. Have you received an award, taken on a special role, or received glowing feedback from your boss? This is your moment to shine.

List any awards or recognitions, like earning a bonus or additional PTO for going the extra mile for the team. Mention positive feedback from colleagues or superiors, and don’t hesitate to provide details if they’re relevant to the job. Sell yourself by showing how your teamwork has been acknowledged and appreciated.

Here’s how you might incorporate this into your resume:

Employee of the Month | ABC Company
May 2023
• Recognized for outstanding performance and exceptional teamwork in managing high-priority projects and improving departmental efficiency.

Top Sales Performer | GHI Solutions
July 2020
• Achieved the highest sales figures in the company for two consecutive quarters through effective communication and persuasive selling techniques.

You can include these in your work experience or a special “Awards” or “Recognition” section if you have extra space or more than one accomplishment. 

Don’t shy away from showing off what you’ve achieved: How to Describe Your Resume Achievements 

How to Improve Teamwork Skills?

If you’re ready to send off your resume, you’re probably past the point of honing your skills. But think big picture: improving your teamwork skills can boost your career and put your resume towards the top of the pile.

Plus, a little self-improvement never hurts. Check out these simple but effective tips to level up your teamwork game.

Establish connections

Building connections and teamwork go hand in hand, but it’s easier said than done. Instead of just chatting about the weather, ask about your coworkers’ interests and hobbies. Share a bit about your life outside of work too. You don’t need to spill your deepest secrets — just enough to build trust and show you’re a real person.

If small talk isn’t your thing, you could suggest team-building activities like group retreats or casual lunches to create stronger bonds. Getting to know your teammates on a personal level makes a big difference. It creates a more positive and supportive team environment, often leading to better collaboration and productivity because people feel more comfortable and valued.

Give and receive feedback

When I first started working, I saw feedback as nothing but criticism. It made me defensive and quick to blame others for my mistakes or gaps in knowledge. Thankfully, I shifted my mindset and began viewing feedback as a chance to learn and grow. This change not only sharpened my skills but also helped me build stronger connections with colleagues. 

People don’t give constructive criticism lightly. They’re investing time to help you and appreciate it when you listen and act on their feedback. If you’ve ever been stung by feedback, you also know how crucial delivery is — how it can uplift or discourage someone. 

When giving feedback, choose your words carefully to inspire and bring out the best in your team. And make it a habit to regularly ask your colleagues for feedback. It shows you’re committed to improving and more adaptable to positive changes. 

Practice active listening

Have you ever started listening to a colleague’s story and found yourself completely zoning out, only to give uncertain nods when you snap back to reality? We’ve all been there, and yes — the speaker usually notices.

When you listen actively, you’re not just hearing words — you’re really paying attention to what your teammates say, including their tone and body language. This helps you get a clearer picture of their perspectives and needs.

I’ve also been guilty of interrupting with questions or acknowledgments to prove I’m listening. This can backfire. Instead, try focusing on what someone is saying before jumping in with your thoughts. This reduces the chances of misunderstandings and leads to more meaningful conversations and better collaboration.

Support honest communication

There’s a common misconception that you can blurt out whatever you want for the sake of being “honest”. This approach screams conflict starter, not a team player. The key to honest dialogue is being genuine and transparent while considering your colleagues’ feelings.

Telling your colleague they’re “too slow” is honest but could be hurtful. Instead, explain the issue, ask if they’re facing any challenges, and offer advice on finding solutions. Creating an environment where team members are straightforward and clear about their concerns reduces the chances of issues escalating into bigger problems.

Pushing for an atmosphere where honesty is valued helps build trust among team members. This trust strengthens relationships and makes it easier to work together towards common goals. Plus, it encourages everyone to speak up and contribute, which can lead to more innovative solutions and a stronger team dynamic.

Summary 

Here’s an overview of the key steps to highlight your teamwork skills on your resume:

• Analyze the job description and company values while finding keywords related to teamwork and collaboration to include in your resume.
• Use your resume summary to highlight any key achievements or essential skills to make a solid first impression and tell the recruiter how you would fit into the company. 
• In your work experience section, start your bullet points with action verbs like “collaborated,” “coordinated,” “facilitated,” or “contributed” to show active participation and help get past ATS scanners. 
• Give specific examples of projects or tasks where you worked with others. For example, “Collaborated with a team of five to develop a marketing campaign.”
• Highlight results with positive outcomes of your teamwork to show employers how you can make a difference in their company. For instance, “Led a team project that produced results two weeks before schedule.”
• Include relevant skills and teamwork-related phrases in your skills section, like communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
• Be honest and authentic by using real examples to describe your experiences and role in team projects. Authenticity resonates more with employers.

FAQ

What are other words to describe a good team member?

If you want to describe yourself as a good team member, use terms like “collaborative,” “cooperative,” “supportive,” “flexible,” and “reliable.” These words highlight someone who works well with others, adapts to different roles, and contributes positively to group efforts. 

Using teamwork synonyms and similar phrases can also help your resume to be more engaging, dynamic, and less repetitive. 

How to say you work well with others on a resume?

Give concrete examples with positive outcomes to convey that you work well with others on your resume. Use phrases like “effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams” or “successfully partnered with colleagues to achieve project goals,” to demonstrate your skills. This not only tells employers you’re a team player but shows how your teamwork led to tangible results.

What teamwork skills to work on if I’d like to get into a leadership role in the future?

If you want a leadership role, develop skills like conflict resolution, active listening, and strategic delegation. Leaders need to handle team dynamics, mediate conflicts, and assign tasks based on team members’ strengths. Building skills in mentoring, giving constructive feedback, and fostering a positive team culture are also key to creating a positive work environment. 

What’s a professional way to say team player?

A professional way to say “team player” could be “collaborative contributor” or “effective team collaborator.” These terms suggest that you’re part of the team and can actively contribute to its success. 

You can also describe experiences that show you’re a team player. For example, you might say, “demonstrated strong collaborative skills by working closely with team members to achieve project milestones”. 

What are some jobs where teamwork is essential?

Jobs where teamwork is essential include roles in project management, software development, marketing, and healthcare. For instance, project managers need to coordinate between various team members to meet deadlines, while healthcare professionals often work in teams to provide patient care. 

That said, most jobs require some kind of teamwork, even when you’re working independently. You could be working towards a common goal in an office, or simply be supporting your colleagues in stressful situations. 

I work a job where team collaboration is minimal. Do I need to mention teamwork on a resume?

Even if collaboration is minimal, you can still highlight instances where you worked well with others or supported team efforts to show your interpersonal or leadership skills. However, keep it to a minimum if the job doesn’t prioritize teamwork skills, so you can focus on other skills that are more present in the job ad and relevant to the position.