Students' Speak: Focus areas for your GD preparation

By: Shrikant Jha

Group Discussion is a communicative situation in which a group of candidates discusses a particular theme or topic. It could be formal or informal.

Here, we will discuss what is a GD and what the conducting body is expecting from you during a GD.

Prerequisites

Group discussion is something people are totally aware of but the catch is we aren’t aware of how to be present at GD and what is its importance in today’s competition.

NOTE: Being an extrovert doesn’t mean that you will perform excellently in GD or being an introvert doesn’t mean that you cannot beat other people in GD and get that shining job. It's all about consistent practice and being mindful.

Be Confident

You might have heard about this a million times “Always be confident during GD or PI”. But nobody told us about what is the meaning of being confident, because they don’t know about it either. Some myths on being confident:

1. Antagonistic Nature: “You have to be like a lion, deny other people facts whether they are right or wrong. Be strong. Be an alpha.”
2. Be an extrovert: “You have to be an extrovert or being an extrovert is cool.”

These are just some dumb advice that you get from today's so-called underpaid motivational speakers. They just over exaggerate words forcefully imposing ideas on the audience to cash money.

No Aggression: Aggression is a big no. This alpha thing is totally wrong. Here is what you need:

1. You need to be knowledgeable. A calm person who knows what to speak and where to speak, be a better person. I am not saying to be timid or weak instead it is a must and good to know how to express your ideas in a better way.
2. Go ahead pick a particular speaking style which suits you if we are talking about speaking English I am not saying to practice some accent. No, but the way you showcase your ideas and thoughts should have to be good.
3. Good ideas and thought processes will definitely make you shine in front of the judging panel, not false aggression.

Be yourself: No need to read books on how to be extrovert or be a talking machine. Just focus on how to be more present. Those words which you are speaking should reach the panel members.

1. Whatever you are speaking should be clear enough. Robust and thoughtful.
2. The way you speak matters:
3. It should be crystal clear doesn’t matter you are a girl or boy.
4. There has to be some good analysis of what you are speaking. It always increases your chances of selection.
5. Be alert and aware of your speaking chance. Avoid stuttering.
6. Adopting a speaking style in which you are most comfortable with is for yourself. The panel members just want to know how much clear and analyzed answers you have.

Being confident means that you are comfortable with the situation. You are not afraid of the consequences to an extent. It's just being normal in the situation. Here I have a couple of examples:

1. Whenever you are want to share something with your best friend do you afraid of him that what if? Or starts various calculations in your mind like candidates do in their GD or PI. No, you just say it. So, you have to be normal.
2. Your selection depends on your knowledge, presentation, attire (recommended to have a good one) and analysis of the current situation. So, in your mind just for the sake of convenience think of it as you are explaining something to your friend. Of course, you have to be formal and aware.

How to prepare?

Two things which can improve your GD skill significantly.

Good speaking skills: Having good speaking skills especially English will always and cent percent give you an unfair advantage over other candidates.

1. 1. Watch English movies in your spare time not in working time with subtitles
   2. Read books/biographies and always try to speak your sentences. Take it as an exercise. This will help you with
      1. language improvement and stuttering.
      2. Increase in vocabulary.
   3. If you don’t want to watch movies. You can watch English news channels. This will make you aware of what is happening around you and in parallel. Improve your language skills.

NOTE: This will also give you content for your GD topics.

Sound knowledge of topics: Although it is not that much possible still having some idea about general topics will help you in crafting your content.

• Read newspapers sometimes or even you can try some apps like InShots whatever you like.
• Some healthy discussion with your friends on good topics is also a good idea.

Good attire: Clean simple attire reflects disciple. So be prepared with a good simple haircut.

After applying these ideas in your preparation you will definitely give a remarkable performance in your GD or even PI.

Strategies followed (books/reference materials/coaching)

Frankly, there is no book which can teach you. This is something practical and you will have to learn it by doing it. Just like swimming and other skills. But still, if you want to learn more about it you can get any of some good authors. Read, practice and repeat.

Now let's talk about coaching material. I think whatever your coaching institute provides is generally sufficient. So be practical and good luck with your next GD.

About the Author:

Shrikant Jha is an experienced developer and an Open-Source enthusiast.  He is currently pursuing B.Tech from Galgotias University and hails from Agra. He has always been passionate about hackathons and competitive coding. In his leisure time, he loves to read mythological books and practice yoga.