Group Discussions (GD) are conducted by many companies as part of their recruitment and in fact one of the most important tool for elimination of a major number of candidates, thus narrowing their selection procedure.
Thus, it has immerged as a very important technique in campus recruitments where a large number of students participate for a single vacancy. Not just campus recruitments, GDs are infact a part of our day to day life. We may have a group discussion in our social life, official life and even in our family life .In all these areas, we can be effective only if we are able to express what we want to , in the right way. For this, you need to hone your GD skills.
GD skills become more relevant in case of campus recruitments for jobs. Here you are actually competing amongst your own classmates and how you perform in this process actually decides your selection or rejection. I know this aspect sends an electric shock across your nerves and you start shivering, right?
Well, friends, the happiest fact is that GD skills can be actually learnt! And that learning can occur only through continuous practice and self effort, of course along with a right mentor or trainer who can help you correct your mistakes at the right points!
Remember that GD is considered as an elimination tool and not as a selection tool:- this means , only if you perform well , you will be selected into the next round .So it actually means –Do or Die ! You may or may not get a second chance to prove your mettle .So make the best use of it now.
In a GD, the judges actually make stages of elimination based on the following aspects
· Whether the candidate is speaking or not – whether the candidate actually speaks up or remains silent – assessing the communication skills
· If speaking –what is he speaking about ? Is it relevant and to the topic? and his /her knowledge level in this topic –assessing the knowledge
· The way he communicates it – the body language , attitude and interest shown by the candidate- assessing the behavior and interpersonal styles, leadership styles
So , only if the judges are convinced that you are good at all the above three aspects , you will get selected
TIPS to become winners in GD everytime and anytime!
Before taking part in a GD
Keep yourself updated on latest news, happenings, and general knowledge, read the daily newspaper.
Discuss amongst your friends about the day’s important news and facts
Dress for the occasion .Be professional and appear confident
Carry a notepad and pen
Relax and envision yourself as being successful
While Taking part in a GD
When you are speaking for the first time in the group , introduce yourself by giving your name and the institution you are representing
Speak to the group and not looking at the invigilators.
Smile and be confident
Ensure you have proper body language
i. lean forward and show interest
ii. avoid unnecessary facial expressions and gesture
iii. use hand gestures carefully
iv. Do not stand up or make aggressive moves towards the others until the GD is over.
Make note of the points discussed when the other person is speaking and then give your viewpoints rather than disrupting when the other person is speaking
Speak loudly and clearly so that each member can listen to you.
Do not shout or become aggressive towards the other members
See that you do not go astray from the topic
If the invigilators give any special instructions, follow it carefully.
If you are following a “round robin” method, follow it rather than jumping the queue
If you have any objection to any point , handle it carefully
Obey the instructions of the leader (if any)
Concluding the GD
The GD should be concluded by one or two members of the group. (in some cases, the recruiters may ask one person to come forward and make a presentation on the same)
All the major points and viewpoints discussed in the GD can be given as a conclusion (it is for this , that the written points will be helpful)
Even though you may sometimes feel that, you have not completed your discussions, it is ideal that you do not continue your discussion once the invigilator asks you to stop your discussion.
After the GD
After the GD ,thank each member for their participation and shake hands with them and leave the room
Do not continue your discussion outside and lead to arguments
Maintain your professionalism and wait for further instructions from the recruiters
Selection or Rejection
If you follow the above points, you can get through the GD in most of the cases. As I said earlier, the ultimate objective of conducting a GD is to know the communication skills and to a certain extent the interpersonal skills of the participant. So, if you are successful in communicating well , you are sure to pass this test.
But in case, you are being rejected, don’t feel upset. Take it as a learning opportunity, analyse your mistakes and make corrections for future. Moreover, GD skills can be learnt and polished by continuous rigorous practice only. Make a support group of your friends who are interested in GDs (include one or two successful members also) and conduct GDs regularly. After the GD, discuss each others plus and minus points. Give and get feedback immediately after each performance. Keep trying until you succeed!
All the very best for your success!
© CV, Nov, 2007
From India, Kochi
1Thus, it has immerged as a very important technique in campus recruitments where a large number of students participate for a single vacancy. Not just campus recruitments, GDs are infact a part of our day to day life. We may have a group discussion in our social life, official life and even in our family life .In all these areas, we can be effective only if we are able to express what we want to , in the right way. For this, you need to hone your GD skills.
GD skills become more relevant in case of campus recruitments for jobs. Here you are actually competing amongst your own classmates and how you perform in this process actually decides your selection or rejection. I know this aspect sends an electric shock across your nerves and you start shivering, right?
Well, friends, the happiest fact is that GD skills can be actually learnt! And that learning can occur only through continuous practice and self effort, of course along with a right mentor or trainer who can help you correct your mistakes at the right points!
Remember that GD is considered as an elimination tool and not as a selection tool:- this means , only if you perform well , you will be selected into the next round .So it actually means –Do or Die ! You may or may not get a second chance to prove your mettle .So make the best use of it now.
In a GD, the judges actually make stages of elimination based on the following aspects
· Whether the candidate is speaking or not – whether the candidate actually speaks up or remains silent – assessing the communication skills
· If speaking –what is he speaking about ? Is it relevant and to the topic? and his /her knowledge level in this topic –assessing the knowledge
· The way he communicates it – the body language , attitude and interest shown by the candidate- assessing the behavior and interpersonal styles, leadership styles
So , only if the judges are convinced that you are good at all the above three aspects , you will get selected
TIPS to become winners in GD everytime and anytime!
Before taking part in a GD
Keep yourself updated on latest news, happenings, and general knowledge, read the daily newspaper.
Discuss amongst your friends about the day’s important news and facts
Dress for the occasion .Be professional and appear confident
Carry a notepad and pen
Relax and envision yourself as being successful
While Taking part in a GD
When you are speaking for the first time in the group , introduce yourself by giving your name and the institution you are representing
Speak to the group and not looking at the invigilators.
Smile and be confident
Ensure you have proper body language
i. lean forward and show interest
ii. avoid unnecessary facial expressions and gesture
iii. use hand gestures carefully
iv. Do not stand up or make aggressive moves towards the others until the GD is over.
Make note of the points discussed when the other person is speaking and then give your viewpoints rather than disrupting when the other person is speaking
Speak loudly and clearly so that each member can listen to you.
Do not shout or become aggressive towards the other members
See that you do not go astray from the topic
If the invigilators give any special instructions, follow it carefully.
If you are following a “round robin” method, follow it rather than jumping the queue
If you have any objection to any point , handle it carefully
Obey the instructions of the leader (if any)
Concluding the GD
The GD should be concluded by one or two members of the group. (in some cases, the recruiters may ask one person to come forward and make a presentation on the same)
All the major points and viewpoints discussed in the GD can be given as a conclusion (it is for this , that the written points will be helpful)
Even though you may sometimes feel that, you have not completed your discussions, it is ideal that you do not continue your discussion once the invigilator asks you to stop your discussion.
After the GD
After the GD ,thank each member for their participation and shake hands with them and leave the room
Do not continue your discussion outside and lead to arguments
Maintain your professionalism and wait for further instructions from the recruiters
Selection or Rejection
If you follow the above points, you can get through the GD in most of the cases. As I said earlier, the ultimate objective of conducting a GD is to know the communication skills and to a certain extent the interpersonal skills of the participant. So, if you are successful in communicating well , you are sure to pass this test.
But in case, you are being rejected, don’t feel upset. Take it as a learning opportunity, analyse your mistakes and make corrections for future. Moreover, GD skills can be learnt and polished by continuous rigorous practice only. Make a support group of your friends who are interested in GDs (include one or two successful members also) and conduct GDs regularly. After the GD, discuss each others plus and minus points. Give and get feedback immediately after each performance. Keep trying until you succeed!
All the very best for your success!
© CV, Nov, 2007
From India, Kochi
yup! that pretty much covers it.
although i do think that we must use this method with care and depending on the job to be filled... people who can talk doesn't necessarily mean they can perform on the job. we may end up eliminating those who can do a good job?! however, we've used this method before and it does work and serve its purpose i.e. process of elimination.
my humble thoughts
From Malaysia, Kuching
although i do think that we must use this method with care and depending on the job to be filled... people who can talk doesn't necessarily mean they can perform on the job. we may end up eliminating those who can do a good job?! however, we've used this method before and it does work and serve its purpose i.e. process of elimination.
my humble thoughts
From Malaysia, Kuching
Thanx Mojo for your viewpoints
I do agree that this process may eliminate certain people who can perform better,But this is again a good method for elimination , if thejob requires communication skills...and in today's scenario , all jobs in the front end(other than industry or factory workers) require good communicatioin skills....More relevant in case of mktg or sales job...in suchcases , GD ,i think can help a lot in recruitment..In certain cases , as u said, if we fear that we may loose a candidate who may perform well in a job, then ,we can take a cumulative score of other rounds like written test/technical test, GD,interview etc...
what do u say??
regs
CV
From India, Kochi
I do agree that this process may eliminate certain people who can perform better,But this is again a good method for elimination , if thejob requires communication skills...and in today's scenario , all jobs in the front end(other than industry or factory workers) require good communicatioin skills....More relevant in case of mktg or sales job...in suchcases , GD ,i think can help a lot in recruitment..In certain cases , as u said, if we fear that we may loose a candidate who may perform well in a job, then ,we can take a cumulative score of other rounds like written test/technical test, GD,interview etc...
what do u say??
regs
CV
From India, Kochi
Hi Vaib,
Having good knowledge about the topics are appreciateable but in GD interviewers don't want too intelligent students, they want students who can talk less but who shares only important points. so in the next interview try to maintain "short and sweet" discussion & maintain your body language.
Regards
Siju Thomas
From India, Madras
Having good knowledge about the topics are appreciateable but in GD interviewers don't want too intelligent students, they want students who can talk less but who shares only important points. so in the next interview try to maintain "short and sweet" discussion & maintain your body language.
Regards
Siju Thomas
From India, Madras
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Group Discussions.ppt