Understand what is a Group Discussion and how to crack one in an interview. Use these simple GD tips for the interview.
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How to crack a group discussion interview
Before attending a group interview, you need to understand the GD rules and abilities. This will help you focus on and improve your group discussion skills. It is also very important to understand the process of a group discussion and how to go about it. As experts say, you should be aware of how and what you speak.
Most companies these days conduct a group discussion right before the actual interview. This is done to test your communication skills and knowledge on certain topics. In this article, experts share a few GD tips for interviews. But before that let us get the concept of Group Discussion clear.
What is Group Discussion?
A Group Discussion or GD is a system used by companies and other organizations to test the communication skills of the participant. This is used for mass screening. A group of participants is given a topic and a time limit to discuss. There will be one interviewer or a small set of panelists who will oversee the discussion. They generally do not state their opinions. They only listen to the participants and evaluate them based on the skills they are looking for.
This is a way to shortlist the candidates that possess the skills they are looking for. This makes it easier for them as they have to interview lesser candidates. Group Discussions are very important for companies to select their potential employees.
Importance of GD
The first impression is the last impression. The Group discussion round is the first time the interviewer will see you and make conversation. This is your sole chance to create a good first impression. The way you communicate with the other participants and the interviewer of the GD says a lot about how you would interact with future clients, peers, and heads.
Skills Required for Group Discussion
While in a GD, you feel you only have to express your views on a certain topic and that’s it. But that is not true. The interviewer is looking for certain skill sets. Just talking will not help. So work on other skills like:
- Good communication skills
- Good Listening skills
- Open-mindedness
- Time management
- Presentation skills
- Leadership skills
- Decision-making skills
- Subject knowledge
- Analysis skill
- Problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Creativity
- Attitude
- Confidence
Structure of Group Discussion
A topic will be given to a set of participants and you will be given a minute or two to prepare about it. Use this time to make short notes about all the points that enter your head. Structure them as introduction, body, and conclusion. When the panelists ask the group to start discussing, start talking. Make sure you do not interrupt someone if they have already started. If you are not sure if you can talk, or someone else might start talking, excuse yourself and ask to express your views. If you are not confident enough to start talking, wait for someone else to start. Take their concluding points and lead ahead or express your views.
The views must be expressed professionally and formally. The entire discussion you have must be structured. Follow a basic introduction – body – conclusion structure. This will help you seem more professional and also come in the light.
Introduction
The first step to starting the discussion is to initiate the discussion. Introduce yourself, introduce the topic, and then start expressing your views. If you are not talking for the first time, you can skip introducing yourself and the topic. But always make sure to let the other participants know where you are starting off from.
Body
You do not need to have complete information about the topic with actual facts and figures. Just basic knowledge will be good enough to speak on it. You can wait for the others to speak, pick up points and express them in your own way. You could use a quote or a short incident/ story. Make sure to speak to the point and let everyone have a chance to speak. Remember, the more you try to keep adding, the more the chances of making mistakes are.
When you start off after someone else has spoken, make references. You can agree with someone who spoke before you, like ‘I agree with what A had to say. To add on to it…….’ or put across your views politely like, ‘With due respect to what B believes, I do not quite agree. In my opinion……’. Try not to keep repeating points, lead the conversation somewhere.
Conclusion
Summarization can be used as a great opportunity to grab the attention of the evaluators. Put together the whole discussion in a few sentences and highlight the star points. Mention what certain participants had to offer and end with a concluding statement that expresses your view. Do not focus the entire conversation on your views. Do not add any new points which may lead to further discussions.
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GD Tips for Interview
Your main goal in a group discussion should be to get noticed by the evaluators. For that, you need to be active throughout the session. You cannot have an introduction and not speak up until the end. Here are a few GD tips for interviews as given by experts to crack the round. We have put these tips in a do’s and don’ts format to make it easier for you to understand and follow.
Do’s
1. Subject knowledge
Having rich content is very essential to be able to crack the GD round. For this, you must start to prepare for general topics and gain at least surface-level information. You should also be aware of the current affairs, not just in India but across the world. Having subject knowledge about the topic can be helpful as it helps you steer the conversation in the direction you want it to. Read reach content and generic topics.
2. Lead
Usually, when the moderator announces the topic, a few minutes are given for preparation. If possible grasp your thoughts at the earliest and start the discussion on a positive note. Make sure you are clear about the topic. In case you are confused, let someone else start. Even though speaking first can create a great impact, speaking the wrong can create a negative impact. Lead from where someone left off. Try to mention the names of the speaker. It will create a good impact.
3. Be relevant
Speak to the point. Do not beat around the bush. Make sure that the context is reserved for the topic you are discussing. Make sure to elaborate on your point and lead the conversation to further discussion. Just repeating previous points and others’ ideas will eliminate you for sure. Try to use facts and figures where possible.
4. Be a good listener
Learn to listen. Listening is a very important skill that a lot of evaluators evaluate in a group discussion round. Just speaking throughout the discussion can give a really bad impact. Give the other speakers a chance to talk. Listen to what they have to say. If any speaker is making eye contact with you, acknowledge them by nodding your head. This boosts the speaker as it gives them a sense that everyone is listening to him. The evaluators will notice this and know that you are an active participant. Listening can also help you gather points to create a good conclusion.
5. Maintain a posture
The evaluators observe the way you are seated and how to react during the discussion. Body gestures and postures are very important because body language says a lot about you. Sit straight. Avoid leaning back or forward. Do not make any unnecessary sounds and noises. Folding your hands across your chest, moving constantly, and avoiding eye contact can show you are nervous and is not really a good impact.
6. Make multiple entries
Speaking for one round is not enough. Keep speaking throughout the round. Have a great start, middle, and end. The more times you enter the discussion, the more you will be noticed. You can use the previous speaker’s points to enter the discussion.
Don’ts
1. Don’t get angry
A Group discussion is a place where all participants are allowed to express their opinions. In case someone disagrees with you or expresses differing opinions, do not get angry. Stick to your viewpoint. Speaking too loudly, being aggressive, and shouting are not accepted.
2. Don’t contradict yourself
If you start speaking for the topic, stick to that throughout the discussion. Contradicting yourself during the course of the discussion can give a bad impact as it shows you are a person who does not stand up to their thoughts.
3. Don’t interrupt
Be a team player. Give everyone a chance to speak. Let the speaker complete what they are saying before you start speaking. If 2 of you start speaking together, let the other person go first. No one likes to be cut off during the course of their speaking.
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Group Discussion Rules
There are certain rules to a GD. Following these rules can better your chances of getting selected.
1. Appearance
Your appearance is the first thing that is noticed. Be presentable. Do not overdress or underdress.
2. Maintain eye contact
Throughout the discussion, while speaking and listening, maintain eye contact. Make sure to look at everyone including the evaluator. Do not focus your attention on one single person. When someone is talking, look at them. Do not stare.
3. Don’t dominate
Participants need to remember that this is a healthy discussion and not a war. The views expressed are towards the topic and not to be taken personally. Respect others’ views. Do not force them to believe your views by shouting or getting angry. Do not use cheap tricks to put them down.
4. Avoid irrelevant talk
While it is okay to have a conversation with the participants and ask them questions or appreciate them, it is not okay to deviate from the topic. The main focus should be on quality and not quantity. Speak less but speak to the point.
We hope these GD tips for interviews have been helpful for you. Once you are selected for this round, you can prepare for telephonic interviews. You can also learn the common interview questions and how to answer them.
Make use of these GD tips for interviews and see how you crack the discussion.
