Students' Speak: Main Focus areas for GD Preparation
By: Payal Jajodia
Always be natural instead of being animated. Take your GD as a part of your daily conversations as all your responses should be natural, not the imaginative ones. Do not let negative thoughts juggle your mind and ideas.
Group Discussion is a methodology or we may call it a group activity conducted during an interview in order to judge a candidate whether he/she is fit for the organization or not. Being a member of any institute or any reputed organization, one has to function as a part of the team and has to interact with the team members, so GD is the best tool that determines and gauge candidate’s personality traits. Generally, GD is conducted after aptitude and technical round which consists of around 8-10 members. GD is conducted by a panel of experts where they give a topic or any situation to the group and a few minutes to think about it and then they are asked to discuss about the same for about 20 minutes.
Preparation methods adopted
As GD is being conducted by a panel of experts, they prepare a report of the candidates and judge on the basis of their skills, whether they are eligible for their institution or not. Many of the candidates are not aware how to appear for the GD or are not prepared for the same. Here are some techniques and methods which should be adopted so as to crack the GD round.
Be the first to start: If the topic announced for the GD is well known to you and you are well aware of it then you should consider yourself very lucky as you have a lot to talk about it. Immediately jot down all the important points and key points and be the beginner of the discussion as it shows your team leading skills and how you present your ideas in a very meaningful way. Always remember that half of your job is almost done when you are the beginner of the GD round.
Body Language: Do remember that first impression is your last impression. One should be careful of his/her body language like maintaining eye contact with the other candidates, sitting straight, maintaining a positive attitude and at the same time not being too animated. Try to be an active listener and pay attention to what others are saying instead of sitting blank and staring at the ceiling. Be alert and always maintain eye contact with everyone.
Confidence: Sometimes it might happen that the points that you were about to discuss are discussed by someone else or just say that they have stolen your points. The situation is like now what you have to do what will you say as you are left nothing. At that time make up your time and just come up with a new point and do not let anyone notice that you are in a panic or tense state. Just remember that you only have to relax, breathe and compose yourself to come out of the situation where you can turn the table against others and the game is yours.
Maintaining Courtesy: If you want to be recruited then try to have a team spirit and be polite with your fellow mates. Avoid cutting in between when anyone is presenting his/her ideas. Never interrupt by saying “I disagree at this point”, “That is incorrect” or any negative word. Just use Business English like “Looking it from another perspective”, “Adding to your contribution” displays your positive attitude as well as you are a team worker.
Use words wisely: If you want to leave a mark on the panelists then talk sense and avoid using gibberish words that might leave all in a confused state. Sometimes it might happen that you are not aware of the topic just listen to the other group members, take a clue from others and rephrase their suggestions in your words. In worst when you have nothing to say instead of staying blank reframe the ideas of others what they have presented and summarize the discussion.
Acquire GD personality traits: Some of the crucial points that should be taken into consideration while appearing for the GD are- Communication skills, Leadership skills, Motivational skills, Team building skills, Creativity, Analytical thinking, Putting oneself into others shoes, Logical thinking, Initiative and Flexibility.
Practice mock GDs and brush up your GK: Before D-day of your GD prepare yourself and overcome all your pitfalls standing in front of mirror and try to improve your weak areas by involving yourself in a group of 6-7 members. Also, keep yourself updated by reading the newspaper daily and keep yourself aware of the current topics. Keep yourself browsing through the websites of newspapers so that you are aware of the current happenings around the world.
Strategies followed (books/references materials/coaching)
Following are some strategies that should be kept in mind before appearing for the GD.
Be yourself: Always be natural instead of being animated. Take your GD as a part of your daily conversations as all your responses should be natural, not the imaginative ones. Do not let negative thoughts juggle your mind and ideas.
Not a seminar: A GD is not a seminar where you only listen to the speaker. Instead in the GD you have to lay down all the key points that you know about the topic. Prepare a framework for the topic and analyse it from every angle.
It is most important that one should be well aware of the Dos and Don’ts of the GD before appearing for the same. What is the importance of GD and what are the rules that should be followed and the process of GD. What are the evaluation criteria of GD and the objectives?
Process of GD: Around 8-10 people are involved in a GD where they are given a topic and it lasts up to 20 minutes. 2-3 minutes are given to think about the topics and also to note down the points. Evaluation is done by the panel of experts. Candidates are made to sit in a circular or rectangular arrangement. The discussion will be stopped when time is over and they may ask to conclude the discussion.
Evaluation: There are several points that are evaluated during the GD like content delivery, communication skills, group dynamics, also the leadership qualities. Also, the behavioural traits are taken into consideration. Make yourself aware of all the Dos and Don’ts and understand them carefully.
Many students prefer to join a coaching institute for the same or they prefer to read some books. But this thing will not make you GD ready, instead, you have to practice a lot. Go for mock GDs and practice in front of a mirror. Build up your communication skills and always keep yourself updated from current happenings.
Don’t let the experts or the other group members feel that you are the dominant one and try not to interrupt in between. Try to understand the type of GD whether it is case study based, topic-based or talk based. Also most important is how you present yourself and the way you discuss. Always be an active participant and respect others.
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