Major challenges faced during GD and PI

By: Ambika Sur

Challenges are always faced by everyone at every stage of life. Overcoming a challenge is what makes the person knowledgeable. Introspect to know the drawbacks and work on it continuously for improvement. This process of self-improvement helps in overcoming all the challenges that might arise during GD and PI.

Group Discussion (GD)

A Group Discussion is a group of individuals sharing their views and opinions with other participants. GD is an important tool to test the skills of participants for admission in college. This article discusses the challenges faced by students during GD and PI.

Some of the challenges faced by the candidates during GD are listed below:

1. Lack of knowledge – Knowledge about the topic of discussion is the key to get good scores in a GD. A hint or an idea about the topic enhances the confidence level of the participant to start the discussion. Initiating the GD helps in making the right first impression and also achieving brownie points. Students face this as a major challenge as they aren’t regular reader or interested about current affairs.

Tip- Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest news and current affairs. Read the newspapers and articles regularly. Analyse the news from your point of view. 

2. Skipped the chance – Sometimes the participant have the knowledge about the content but they could not manage to get a chance to speak in the GD. Such situation also reduces the level of confidence while speaking.

Tip– Try to be spontaneous and proactive even before the GD starts. Keep an active body language even if do not get a chance to introduce during the GD. This could create a good impression on the panellist. 

3. Points given by others –There could be a scenario wherein the point prepared by the participant is discussed by someone else. This might create stress for the participant resulting in low scores during the GD.

Tip –Keep trying to get a chance to speak in the GD by modifying the already given points. 

4. Voice –This is a challenge is faced by many participants. In a GD, some participants might be shy or introvert and do not feel much confident while speaking in a group even if they know the topic. Low pitch of voice is also considered as a sign of low confidence in the GD.

Tip – Practice to speak in a group while talking with your family or friends. Keep working on your voice modulation daily. 

5. Lack of quick response – There are many participants who have knowledge about the discussion topic, however, lose their points and chances due to slow response.

Tip – Practice more GD and try to be quick with your points. Always be mentally present in the GD. 

6. Improper formal attire – Lack of knowledge about the formal attire and inability to carry it is another challenge. Along with the subject knowledge, participants should also focus on their choice of clothes during the GD.

Tip – Formal dress-up is important in a GD. It creates a good impression.

Personal Interview (PI)

Personal Interview is conducted before offering admission in a course or any job. PI is conducted to assess the capabilities of the candidate. The candidates often face various challenges while appearing for a PI.

Some of the challenges faced by the candidates during PI are listed below:

1. Nervousness – This challenge is faced by almost every candidate either it be their first interview or not. The candidate gets nervous while answering or understanding the question asked.

Tip –  To overcome nervousness, prepare yourself for some basic questions. Try to create a good first impression on the interviewer. 

2. Lack of knowledge about the resume – The candidates work on their resume to make it impressive, however, they often forget to prepare well for the questions which might arise from their resume.

Tip – If any certification courses are mentioned in the resume then it is important to have good conceptual knowledge about that course. Prepare all the aspects and learning experiences during your internship and other mentioned activities in the resume. 

3. Poor communication skill –Good communication skills are crucial for clearing any interview. In case the candidate is well prepared and has good technical knowledge and is unable to convey it because of their poor communication skills is another challenge faced by many candidates.

Tip – Reading articles and newspapers daily helps in improving the communication skills. Always try to speak in English. Also, start working on enhancing the vocabulary.

4. Lack of interpersonal skills –A very good and promising candidate often fails to make an impression due to their poor interpersonal skills. It includes the candidate’s soft skill, grooming, acknowledgement, and nature.

Tip –As soon as you enter the PI room, greet the panellists, and use words like “thank you” as and when required during the interview. Also, keep a humble smile on your face.

5. Poor adaptability – Not being ready to work according to institutes or organization’s norms is also a counted as negative by the interviewer.

Tip – Showcase your adaptable abilities during the PI. 

6. Improper formals – Some candidates take it lightly but a well-dressed candidate surely makes a better impression.

Tip – Do not just wear formal clothes on the interview day but also maintain a positive body language during the interview.

About the Author:

Ambika Sur is a student at Lovely Professional University pursuing her MBA with agriculture background. She is continuously working on her technical and managerial skills to achieve an exceptional career in the corporate world. She has completed a live project at Metro Cash and Carry and marketing intern at Agronxt.