Dos & Don’ts in a GD

By: Parna Saha

Listen to others, make valid points, give relevant examples, respect others and their opinions and never take anything personally are the key judging parameters in a GD. Maintain a positive body language and learn from others during the GD.

Group Discussion (GD) is one of the preliminary tools for selecting potential candidates. Most of the B-Schools use it as a filtering criterion and not only in B-Schools, for the final campus placement, companies consider it as one of the selection criteria for getting the right hire.

Every judge in GD has their own set of expectations from the participants in the GD. Sometimes the topics for GD are given on the basis of the job profile too. So, there are different criteria of assessment in a GD. The participants should not get disheartened for not getting selected in the GD.

As per my personal experience, I have always been able to make my point or take a stand in a GD. Sometimes a participant might not get an opportunity to speak due to the other loud and obstinate candidates around but always remember that nowhere it is mentioned that only speaking in a GD would help in getting through it. Sometimes making one or two valid points with some good examples is all a participant would need to score high. Some of the key assessment criteria other than speaking in GD are given below:

• Sometimes a GD would turn into a debate and becomes a fish market which is highly not recommended as it affects the entire A wise candidate would always come forward at this point of time and stop the GD from becoming a fish market. This is one of the ways where the participants are judged basis their accountability skills.
• Sometimes in GD, a topic is given to be agreed upon by all the people and rank the importance of the In such topics, it is important to agree as a team for the betterment of all because then the criteria for judging the GD becomes team player, i.e. how well one can get along with the team keeping their personal issues aside.
• Also, in some GDs, avoid getting into an argument with the other participants. In case your views on the topic are different, it is always advised to put your point forward in a polite manner. Also,  be neutral in controversial topics but do voice out points that are beneficial for the

Initiating the GD is definitely good.  The participant must make an attempt to start on the lines of the topic and not deviate from it.

Some of the do’s and don’ts for a GD basis my experience which form important parameters for judging a GD are given below:

Dos

• Make valid
• Quote relevant examples. if any
• Quote some great people
• Appreciate others if you like what they say
• Rectify others for their mistakes if any
• Be humble and polite,
• Pay attention to your body language

Don’ts

• Never get angry or say something in anger
• Do not disrespect anyone’s opinion
• Never pass a comment
• Never take things personally
• Never offend anyone
• Do not cut someone repeatedly, start only after someone has finished

About the Author:

Parna Saha is a student at Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM), Pune, pursuing Post-Graduation Diploma in Management.