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7/31/2019 groupdiscussion1-091012231500-phpapp02 (1)

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Prepared by Swati


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A GD is a methodology used by an

organization to gauge whether the candidatehas certain personality traits and/or skills that it

desires in its members. In this methodology,

the group of candidates is given a topic or a

situation, given a few minutes to think aboutthe same, and then asked to discuss the same

among themselves for 15-20 minutes.


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Why GDs:-

Suitable for the organizationAfter testing your technical and conceptual skills in anexam, to get to know you as a person and gauge howwell you will fit in the institute or in an organization, a

person is put through the process of GD & Interview.

Team workThe Group discussion tests how you function as a part

of a team. As a manager, you will always be working inteams, as a member or as a leader. Therefore how youinteract in a team becomes an important criterion foryour selection. Managers have to work in a team andget best results out of teamwork.


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Communication skills:

Companies conduct group discussion after the written test so as tocheck on your interactive skills and how good you are atcommunicating with other people.

GOALS

The GD is to check how you behave, participate and contribute ina group, how much importance do you give to the group objectiveas well as your own, how well do you listen to viewpoints of othersand how open-minded are you in accepting views contrary to yourown.

The aspects which make up a GD are verbal communication, non-verbal behavior, conformation to norms, decision-making abilityand cooperation. You should try to be as true as possible to theseaspects.


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GDs can be topic-based orcase-based.

Topic based Gds can be classified intothree types :-

1. Factual Topics2. Controversial Topics

3. Abstract Topics


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Factual Topics:-

Factual topics are about practical things, which anordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day life.

Typically these are about socio-economic topics.These can be current, i.e. they may have been in the

news lately, or could be unbound by time.

A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate achance to prove that he is aware of and sensitive to hisenvironment.

E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism in India, Stateof the aged in the nation.


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Controversial Topics:-

Controversial topics are the ones that areargumentative in nature. They are meant to generatecontroversy.

In GDs where these topics are given for discussion,the noise level is usually high, there may be tempersflying.

The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see howmuch maturity the candidate is displaying by keepinghis temper in check, by rationally and logically arguing

his point of view without getting personal andemotional.E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women makebetter managers


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Abstract Topics:-

Abstract topics are about intangible

things. These topics are not given often

for discussion, but their possibility cannotbe ruled out. These topics test your

lateral thinking and creativity.

E.g. A is an alphabet, Twinkle twinklelittle star, The number 10


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Case-based GD:-

Another variation is the use of a case insteadof a topic.The case study tries to simulate a real-life

situation. Information about the situation will begiven to you and you would be asked as agroup to resolve the situation. In the case studythere are no incorrect answers or perfect

solutions. The objective in the case study is toget you to think about the situation fromvarious angles.


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Reasons for having a GD

It helps you to understand a subject more deeply.

It improves your ability to think critically.

It helps in solving a particular problem. It helps the group to make a particular decision.

It gives you the chance to hear other students' ideas.

It improves your listening skills.

It increases your confidence in speaking. It can change your attitudes.


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Discussion Etiquette (or

minding your manners)

Dos

Speak pleasantly and politely to the group.

Respect the contribution of every speaker. Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn to

disagree politely.

Think about your contribution before you speak. How best can youanswer the question/ contribute to the topic?

Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't introduce irrelevantinformation.

Be aware of your body language when you are speaking.

Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting.


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Don't

Lose your temper. A discussion is not an argument. Shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch.

Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures likefinger pointing and table thumping can appearaggressive.

Dominate the discussion. Confident speakers shouldallow quieter students a chance to contribute.

Draw too much on personal experience or anecdote.Although some tutors encourage students to reflect on

their own experience, remember not to generalise toomuch.

Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they aresaying before you speak.


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A group discussion consists

of:

Communication Skills

Knowledge and ideas regarding a given

subject Capability to co-ordinate and lead

Exchange of thoughts

Addressing the group as a whole

Thorough preparations


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Points to Remember

Knowledge is strength. A candidate with good reading

habits has more chances of success. In other words,sound knowledge on different topics like politics,finance, economy, science and technology is helpful.

Power to convince effectively is another quality thatmakes you stand out among others.

Clarity in speech and expression is yet anotheressential quality.

If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it isbetter not to initiate. Lack of knowledge or wrong

approach creates a bad impression. Instead, you mightadopt the wait and watch attitude. Listen attentively toothers, may be you would be able to come up with apoint or two later.

A GD is a formal occasion where slang is to avoided.


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A GD is not a debating stage. Participants shouldconfine themselves to expressing their viewpoints. Inthe second part of the discussion candidates can

exercise their choice in agreeing, disagreeing orremaining neutral.

Language use should be simple, direct and straightforward.

Don't interrupt a speaker when the session is on. Try to

score by increasing your size, not by cutting othersshort.

Maintain rapport with fellow participants. Eye contactplays a major role. Non-verbal gestures, such aslistening intently or nodding while appreciating

someone's viewpoint speak of you positively. Communicate with each and every candidate present.

While speaking don't keep looking at a single member.Address the entire group in such a way that everyonefeels you are speaking to him or her.


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GD Tips

Initiation Techniques

Body of the group discussion

Summarization/ Conclusion


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Initiation Techniques Initiating a GD is a high profit-high loss strategy.

When you initiate a GD, you not only grab the opportunity tospeak, you also grab the attention of the examiner and your fellowcandidates.

If you can make a favourable first impression with your contentand communication skills after you initiate a GD, it will help yousail through the discussion.

But if you initiate a GD and stammer/ stutter/ quote wrong factsand figures, the damage might be irreparable.

If you initiate a GD impeccably but don't speak much after that, itgives the impression that you started the GD for the sake of

starting it or getting those initial kitty of points earmarked for aninitiator!

When you start a GD, you are responsible for putting it into theright perspective or framework. So initiate one only if you have in-depth knowledge about the topic at hand.


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Body of the group discussion

Different techniques to initiate a GD andmake a good first impression:

i. Quotesii. Definitioniii. Questioniv. Shock statementv. Facts, figures and statistics

vi. Short storyvii. General statement


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Summarization/ Conclusion

Most GD do not really have conclusions. A conclusion is where

the whole group decides in favor or against the topic. But every GD is summarized. You can summaries what the group

has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.

Keep the following points in mind while summarizing adiscussion:

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 duringthe GD.

If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the GD hascome to an end.

Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized


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What do the panelists

assess: Some of the qualities assessed in a GD are:

Leadership Skills - Ability to take leadership roles and be able to lead,inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve the group'sobjectives.

Communication Skills - Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarityof thought, expression and aptness of language. One key aspect islistening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views.

Interpersonal Skills - People skills are an important aspect of any job.They are reflected in the ability to interact with other members of thegroup in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and balance promotes good

interpersonal relationships. The person has to be more people centric andless self-centered.

Persuasive Skills - The ability to analyze and persuade others to see theproblem from multiple perspectives.


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Emotional outburst

No eye contact

Quality vs. Quantity

Bad communication skills

Addressing 1 or 2 persons

Interrupting when session is on

Bad initiation


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Documents

groupdiscussion1-091012231500-phpapp02 (1)