Corporates today look to all round competence and not just core skills in a job aspirant, for selection. All aspects of behaviour, attitude, culture fitness and overall the zeal to be a professional is tested time and again. GD brings out your abilities to communicate and make your point of view effectively in a given situation. How you fare in a GD determines your success rate.
The Group Discussion (GD) forms an important part of the recruitment process. It is used after the written test and before the interview, so as to select the best candidate for the job.
This is basically an open discussion on a thought-provoking topic or a case study by a group of job candidates without any leader. You will be given a topic or a situation and a few minutes to think about the same. Then you have to express your views and discuss it for a specified period of time.
Organisations conduct group discussions to assess whether the job applicant has certain personality traits and group skills that it desires in its employees like reasoning ability, assertiveness, creativity, flexibility, initiative, team spirit, interpersonal and leadership skills which normally cannot be evaluated in an interview. The goal is to determine how well you will fit in with the organisation.
A panel will observe your understanding of the main idea, contributions to the discussion, patience, assertiveness and cooperation.
Tips for success
Communication skills - You have to express your thoughts clearly, calmly and confidently before a group of people without becoming nervous or sounding boring. Be articulate, generate ideas, create a positive impact and hold the attention of the audience. You should also speak assertively when voicing opinions, so as to be able to convince others.
Ability to listen carefully to others and then reacting on what they say, adding points or asking probing questions is another quality that makes you stand out amongothers. Another point is to never interrupt somebody or speak loudly over others.
Language skills – This is important only to the extent of getting your points across clearly and fluently. Use formal, simple and direct language. Avoid slang words and informal phrases.
Subject knowledge - You are not analysed for your knowledge of the topic, only your ability to deal with it. Yet, knowledge of the subject under discussion will lead to clear ideas and critical opinions. You will also sound confident, convincing and enthusiastic. So, read on varied topicsranging from politics, finance, economy, and technology to current affairs regularly.
Yet, if you do not know the topic, do not speak out and display your ignorance. Listen to the discussion carefully and don’t start participating until you have clearly understood the subject. Take the time to organise your thoughts and come up with valid points that you can contribute.
Team membership - Your behaviour in the group is on test, i.e. how you function and interact in a team and get best results out of teamwork. Also, whetheryou are a loner or can work effectively with others, try to maintain a rapport with fellow participants without alienating anybody.
Leadership - You can showcase your leadership qualities in the GD through your performance. Look for opportunities to lead, direct, influence or inspire other candidates. Like, if someone hesitates to speak or is cut off constantly, you can encourage him to make his point by agreeing with him, adding on to his points or implicitly giving him direction. Similarly, try to subtly motivate others to speak, coordinate their efforts and create consensus.
Start & End – Opening and concluding the GD will help you to gain attention and make a favourable impression. Also, participate actively by expressing intelligent opinions, sound arguments, giving evidence and relating experiences relevant to the discussion. Be thoughtful, cheerful, cooperative and helpful not vague, superfluous or exaggerating.
Body language - Be aware of your body language and mannerisms, as they are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say. Non-verbal gestures such as eye contact, listening intently or nodding while appreciating someone’s viewpoint speak of you positively.
Participating in mock GDs will give you a good idea about the clarity of your thoughts, expression and convincing abilities as well as expose you to new perspectives and broadenyour thought process!
PAYAL CHANANIA
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