📣 Guaranteed Job Offer in 120 days - or you don’t pay. 👉 Book a Free Consultation
🎉 Celebrating 5 Years of Impact - Limited-Time 15% Off All Services. Use Code: 5YEARS
You’re sitting in the interview hot seat. Your palms are a little sweaty (hopefully not too sweaty), and you’re navigating the conversation like a pro. Then, the interviewer drops this classic gem on you:
"Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?"
It sounds innocent enough, right? Just a simple A or B question. But if you’ve been in the job market for more than five minutes, your "It’s a Trap!" senses are probably tingling. And you’re not wrong.
If you say "independently," you risk sounding like a lone wolf who doesn’t play nice with others. If you say "team," you might come across as someone who needs constant hand-holding and can’t get anything done without a committee meeting.
So, what’s the right move?
Here’s the real deal: The best answer isn’t A or B. It’s a remix of both. Whether you’re a bootcamp grad, an F-1 student racing against the clock, or a career pivoter looking for your big break, mastering this question is about showing adaptability.
Let’s break down exactly why recruiters ask this, how to structure the perfect "hybrid" answer, and how to avoid the mistakes that get resumes tossed in the "no" pile.
Before we craft your answer, we have to decode what the hiring manager is actually looking for. They aren't trying to figure out if you're an introvert or an extrovert. They don't really care if you prefer noise-canceling headphones or open-office chatter.
They are testing for three specific things:
For the "underdogs", those of us coming from nontraditional backgrounds, non-target schools, or different industries, this question is a golden opportunity. It’s your chance to prove you are a low-risk, high-reward hire.
If you’re a self-taught developer or bootcamp grad, you’ve likely spent hundreds of hours coding alone. That shows discipline. But companies also need to know you won't break the build because you refused to communicate with the rest of the dev team.
On the flip side, if you’re a recent grad or pivoting from a role like teaching or hospitality, you have tons of "people skills." The recruiter needs assurance that you can also sit down, focus, and execute tasks without someone standing over your shoulder.
It’s tempting to just pick a side and stick to it. Honesty is the best policy, right? Well, yes, but strategic honesty is better.
Here is why leaning too hard into one side can backfire:
If you say, "I definitely prefer working alone because I get more done," the interviewer hears:
Even for remote roles where autonomy is key, companies thrive on communication. If you sound like you want to build a fortress around your desk, that’s a red flag.
If you say, "I love working in a team! I hate being alone!" the interviewer hears:
This is especially dangerous for startups or fast-paced tech companies. They need people who can take a vague objective and run with it. If you need a brainstorming session for every minor decision, you become a bottleneck.
The secret to acing this question is context. You want to show that you appreciate the benefits of both work styles and know when to use them.
Think of it like a mullet, business in the front, party in the back. You need a dual sided approach.
Here is a simple framework to build your answer:
This shows you aren't just a cog in the machine; you’re a thoughtful professional who understands workflow.
Let’s look at some concrete examples. Don't just memorize these; tweak them to fit your voice. If you want to practice delivering them until they sound natural, you can use InterviewAI on Wonsulting.ai to get real-time feedback on your delivery.
This works for almost any corporate role, from marketing to operations.
"To be honest, I enjoy a mix of both. I really value working as part of a team during the initial stages of a project, brainstorming ideas, setting goals, and getting diverse perspectives helps us avoid blind spots. But once the plan is set, I prefer working independently to execute the tasks. I like getting into a 'deep work' state where I can focus and produce high-quality results, then circle back to the team for feedback and review."
Why it works: It shows you value your colleagues' input (team player) but have the discipline to execute (independent worker).
If you are applying for a job that requires a lot of screen time, lean slightly toward independence but emphasize communication.
"I’m very comfortable working independently, which I think is crucial for remote roles like this one. I’m self-motivated and don't need micromanagement to stay on track with my code/designs. However, I also know that the best products aren't built in a vacuum. I make it a point to over-communicate with my team on Slack or during stand-ups to ensure my independent work aligns with the broader team goals."
Why it works: It addresses the fear that remote workers will "ghost" the team, while proving you are self-sufficient.
If you are moving from a non-corporate background (like teaching or retail) into corporate, use this to highlight your adaptability.
"Coming from a background in [Previous Industry], I've learned to be flexible. In my last role, I had to make quick independent decisions to solve immediate customer issues. But I also worked closely with a larger staff to ensure long-term consistency. For this role, I’m excited to bring that same adaptability—working solo to crush my daily targets, but collaborating with the department to refine our overall strategy."
Why it works: It frames your past experience as an asset, not a liability.
If you have less experience, focus on your eagerness to learn (team) and your ability to research (independent).
"I find that I thrive in a hybrid environment. As someone early in my career, I love working with a team because it’s an incredible opportunity to learn from mentors and understand different approaches. However, I also take pride in my ability to research and figure things out on my own before asking for help. I like to take a crack at the problem independently first, so when I do come to the team, I have specific questions or potential solutions ready."
Why it works: This is music to a hiring manager's ears. It says, "I am coachable, but I won't pester you with questions I could have Googled myself."
One size does not fit all. Before you walk into the interview (or log into Zoom), take another look at the job description. The clues are hiding in plain sight.
If you aren't sure which keywords matter, you can use ResumAI to scan the job description. It helps identifying the core skills the employer values, which gives you a hint on how to weight your answer.
You’ve got the strategy, now let’s execute. Here is your cheat sheet for the interview:
Reading advice is one thing; saying it out loud is another. We often sound eloquent in our heads but stumble when the pressure is on.
The question "Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?" isn't designed to trick you into admitting a weakness. It’s an invitation to show your maturity.
For us underdogs, the career changers, the international students, the self taught pros, this is where we shine. We have had to be scrappy and independent to get here, but we are hungry to contribute to a team.
So, don't sweat the "A or B" trap. Embrace the "Both." Show them you have the focus to grind alone and the emotional intelligence to thrive together. That’s the kind of candidate who gets the offer.
Our weekly newsletter is perfect for you if:
Try WonsultingAI’s free tools to outsmart the hiring code or work 1:1 with expert coaches who know how to get you hired.
"Wonsulting gave me clarity. Their resume guidance and LinkedIn networking strategies completely changed how I approached applications. Even when results didn’t come right away, I kept applying what I learned refining my resume, networking intentionally, and following their advice step by step.Eventually, it all paid off, I landed a Software Engineer role at Google."
