Students' Speak: Focus areas for GD preparation

By: Athira Anand

Preparing for GD is easy, and the only method I find impressive is to practice out several GD topics with your friends and improvising on communication skills. 

First of all, group discussion is not easy because the contenders might have a different perspective from yours. It is important to hear and to be heard in group discussions. This is the first thing which one must understand because it's a discussion and not a war. Usually, people start vomiting their points just to be heard by the interviewer without considering what others are speaking, this attitude will never help in a discussion. Before speaking, think for a few seconds on how to formulate the point to a sentence and make sure it's in accordance with the topic given. Irrelevant points will attract direct disqualification. Ask questions whenever necessary and too many of them will also gain you negative marks. So ask valid questions and counter when necessary.

Directing a discussion is also an important aspect, one has to drive GD to the topic on hand. For this, you can bring the group to consensus by saying let's stick to the topic if someone is stating something which is irrelevant. Remember it's important to hear and then speak what you have in mind, and think before you answer a question which the other person raises. Time constraint is a problem and keep a check on time because concluding a GD also has points. When there is less time and you have to conclude all the points, just tell the group that we are running out of time and let's conclude. Give a minute to each contender for concluding the group discussion. Do not rage over others and get aggressive because your behavioural skills are also being tested. If you behave oddly, you'll not get selected and the interviewer will not listen to your points furthermore. Stay calm if you're not finding relevant points, you can ask questions and drive yourself out and do a better conclusion to the discussions. Preparing for GD is easy, and the only method I find impressive is to practice out several GD topics with your friends and improvising on communication skills. Topics can be generic ones to ongoing news related ones, it can also be based on your subject and related to the post which you've applied for.

Other methods which you can use to prepare for GD is to watch several online GDs and use the skills which they have exibited. Books and coaching centres will help you in different topics preparation and gain communication skills. Interpersonal skill development classes will also help you to present yourself in a GD. Doing discussions in front of faculties and their insights can also be imbibed to bring out the best.  Getting under pressure will not help because there might be people with better skills than you, improving them by methods I mentioned above will definitely help you get through the GD. 

About the Author:

Athira Anand is pursuing PGDM in Infrastructure Management from Adani Institute of Infrastructure Management.