Facing a Group Discussion successfully

What is a Group Discussion?

What is a Group Discussion?

• Popularly referred to as ‘GD’• Is a formal discussion among participants on a

given topic.• Generally involves 8 to 15 participants in a

group.• The moderator of the group gives the group a

topic to discuss.• The participants are given time (around 5

mins) to collect their thoughts about the given topic before the discussion begins.

• The group is then asked to discuss the topic for 20 to 25 minutes.

• The moderator withdraws to the background and becomes a silent spectator once the discussion starts.

• The moderator makes notes about all the participants - contributions to the discussion, comprehension of the main idea, patience, assertion, accommodation, etc.

Why are GDs conducted?

Why are GDs conducted by prospective employers?

• GDs are generally used as an elimination tool in the recruitment process.

• Especially when the numbers to be recruited are in large numbers and extremely competitive.

• To get an idea about candidates in a short time and make assessments about their skills, which normally cannot be evaluated in an interview.

• Also used to gauge the personality traits of candidates.

Phases of a GD

Phases of a Group Discussion

• Introduction/initiation of the topic to be discussed.

• The actual discussion.

• Summarizing/conclusion.

Initiating a GD

Initiating a GD

• Very important to create a favourable first impression.

• Can cause irreparable damage if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong facts and figures.

• If you initiate a GD very well but don't speak much after that, it gives the impression that you started the GD for the sake of starting it to earn the points earmarked for an initiator.

• If you start a GD you are expected to put the topic in the right perspective.

• Initiate only if you have knowledge about the given topic.

Techniques to initiate a GD

Ways of initiating a GD• Quotes

– For a GD on ‘Is preparation necessary for exams?’ you can begin the GD with the quote by Benjamin Franklin ‘Failing to prepare is preparing to fail’

• Definition– For a GD on ‘Marriages should be arranged through match makers’

you can begin the GD with a definition of marriage ‘Marriage is a relationship and bond, most commonly between a man and a woman, that plays a key role in the definition of a family’

• Question– Starting the GD with a question has a great impact.– It implies asking a question that promotes the flow of ideas, and

answering it yourself. – For a topic like ‘Is the war that USA is waging with Iraq justified?’,

you can begin the GD with a question ‘What has the war done to the common man in Iraq and the US? Is has just increased the suffering of people in Iraq and the families of the US soldiers killed in action’

Contd…

Ways of initiating a GD (Contd…)

• Shock statement– This is the best way to grab immediate attention and put forth your

point. – For a topic like ‘Should cities develop at the cost of environment?’,

the GD can begin with a shocking statement like ‘If the cities continue to grow without respecting the environmental factors the world will have no trees, birds and animals’

• Facts and figures– Another effective way to begin the GD is by quoting facts and

figures.– Approximation is allowed in macro level figures, but micro level

figures need to be correct and accurate.– For a topic ‘Newspaper reading habit has come down after the

advent of TV’, you can begin the GD with a macro figure by stating ‘There are approximately 5,525 English newspapers that are published in India’.

– On the other hand micro level data has to be correct. For example ‘There are 28 states and 7 Union Territories in India’. No approximation here!

Contd…

Ways of initiating a GD (Contd…)

• Short Story– You can begin the GD with a short story for impact.– A GD on ‘Importance of a person’s strength of character’ can

be initiated with a short story, • 'A child once asked a balloon vendor, who was selling helium gas-

filled balloons, whether a blue-coloured balloon will go as high in the sky as a green-coloured balloon. The balloon vendor told the child, it is not the colour of the balloon but what is inside it that makes it go high.'

• General Statement– A GD can begin with a general statement which puts the topic

in the right perspective.

Summarizing a GD

Summarizing/concluding a GD

• All GDs do not necessarily have a logical concluding statement.

• You get additional points if you can summarize what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.

• Keep the following points in mind while summarizing a discussion:– Avoid raising new points. – Avoid stating only your viewpoint. – Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD. – Keep it brief and concise. – It must incorporate all the important points that

came out during the GD. – If the moderator asks you to summarize a GD, it

means the GD has come to an end. Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized.

What is being evaluated in a GD?

What will you be evaluated on in a GD?

• Your spoken communication skills.• Your confidence.• Your knowledge on a given subject

– Comes through reading• Your precision and clarity of thought.• Ability to listen.• Leadership qualities.• Your personality trait/behaviour in the

group– how  you interact with fellow participants. – Whether  you a loner or can work in a

group.

Personality Traits evaluated in a GD

Personality Traits that are typically evaluated in a GD

• Team Player– Is a team player or a loner who likes to

work on his own.• Leadership qualities

– shows direction to the group whenever the group moves away from the topic.

– coordinates the effort of the different team members in the GD.

– contributes to the GD at regular intervals with valuable insights.

– also inspires and motivates team members to express their views.

• Flexibility – being open to other’s view points

Contd…

Personality Traits that are typically evaluated in a GD (Contd…)

• Assertive without being aggressive – Being assertive is the ability to put forward your

point to the group in a very emphatic, positive and confident manner.

– Demonstrates a positive body language.– Being aggressive is forcing your point of view on

the other person. – Demonstrates a negative body language.

• Initiative – Were you the one who began the GD with an

appropriate introduction about the topic being discussed.

– Initiate a GD only if you are well versed with the topic. You never ever get a second chance to create a first impression

Contd…

Personality Traits that are typically evaluated in a GD (Contd…)

• Creativity/out-of-box thinking– A new idea put across by you very

convincingly and discussed by the group at length.

• Listening skills

• General awareness

Situations in a GD

Situations that can arise in a GD• The participants are unable to establish a proper

rapport and the whole group does not speak much.

• The participants are hostile to another and get into personal arguments which lead to premature termination of the GD.

• The participants get emotional and the GD goes out of control.

• Some participants are very vocal and dominate the GD without allowing the others to speak.

• Some participants will keep waiting for the opportune moment to speak which may never arise.

• The participants discuss the topic assertively by touching on all its nuances and try to reach the objective.

Do’s in a GD

Do’s in a GD

• Be formally dressed as you would for an interview.

• Be cool and confident while presenting your view point.

• Body language and eye-contact are very important.

• Address the person farthest from you. If he can hear you everyone else can!

• Use formal, plain and simple language. • Listen attentively as it is very important to

encourage participation from all members.• Stick to the subject that is being discussed

without going off on a tangent.• Take a stand on the subject – either ‘for’ or

‘against’.Contd…

Do’s in a GD (Contd…)

• You can change your stand during the GD which indicates your flexibility and accommodation of other’s view points.

• Focus on consistently making points that will enhance the quality of the discussion.

• Last but not the least begin your preparation for GDs right away without waiting till the last minute.– Build on your general knowledge.

Remember knowledge is strength.– Keep track of current affairs by

• Reading newspapers and magazines• Watching national and world news TV

programs

Don’ts in a GD

Don’ts in a GD

• There is no need to address anybody by name in a GD. You may not even know everyone’s name. Better to address the group as a whole.

• GDs are not debating stages. • Do not get into personal arguments with the other

participants.• Do not interrupt while another participant is

speaking.• Do not allow one or two members to monopolise

the discussion. • Avoid slang like yeah, nope and Hinglish like yaar,

teek hai, chalta hai.• Swear words are an absolute no-no.• Do not keep repeating your point again and again.• Do not make controversial remarks relating to

gender, political parties and religion.

Critical factors of success in a GD

1. Communication Skills – ability to articulate.

2. Knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject.

3. Capability to co-ordinate and lead the discussion.

4. Exchange of thoughts in a clear and concise manner.

5. Ability to addressing the group as a whole.

6. Thorough preparation.

Critical factors of success in a GD

Now let us conduct a mock GD after a short break……