Ultimately, they want to know what you can do, not what your old teams have done.
I heard it happening today while I was in line at Starbucks.
Two women were sitting down for an interview. I overheard part of their conversation, and every sentence from the interviewees mouth began with “We…” or “Our team…”
What’s wrong with this? Well, the whole point of an interview is to sell yourself to the interviewer. And to do this well, requires the use of “I” and “My” statements. Ultimately, they want to know what you can do, not what your old teams have done.
If you worked on a group project, mention your team, but focus the conversation on your specific role and accomplishments. This shows that while you’re a team player, you also completed parts of the project on your own.
“I” and “My” statements also show leadership, accountability and ultimately, personal success. Three great skills to showcase in any interview.