Many companies and institutes are making group discussion as the first criteria for screening the candidates for face-to-face interviews. And there is reason too for giving huge importance for Group Discussion. First thing Group Discussion is us…
Many companies and institutes are making group discussion as the first criteria for screening the candidates for face-to-face interviews. And there is reason too for giving huge importance for Group Discussion. First thing Group Discussion is used for, mass elimination! And second thing, a group discussion selection criterias are based on actual company requirements.
Communication and Group Discussion skill are two relevant soft skills that are must for anyone who is looking for a job.
As in a football game, where you play like a team, passing the ball to each team member and aim for a common goal, GD is also based on team work, incorporating views of different team members to reach a common goal.
What do the panelists assess?
Interpersonal Skills - People skills are an important aspect of any job. These are reflected in the ability to interact with other members of the group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and balance promotes good interpersonal relationships. The person has to posses good interpersonal skills and has to be less self-centered.
Communication Skills - Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language. One key aspect is listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views.
Leadership Skills - Ability to take leadership roles and be able to lead, inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve the group's objectives.
Persuasive Skills - The ability to analyze and persuade others to see the problem from multiple perspectives.
Knowledge Base - GD is a test of your ability to think, your analytical capabilities and your ability to make your point in a team-based environment.
Making a good impression while speaking in GD is the basic skill every professional should have.
10 simple ways to crack a Group discussion:
1) Keep eye contact while speaking: Do not look at the evaluators only, try to ignore their presence at all times. Keep eye contact with every team member while speaking. Begin speaking to the person sitting diagonally opposite to you.
2) Initiate the GD: Initiating the GD is a high profit high loss strategy. But keep in mind - Initiate the group discussion only when you have understood the GD topic clearly and have some topic knowledge. Speaking without proper subject knowledge will lead towards creating a bad impression. If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is better not to initiate. Lack of knowledge or wrong approach creates a bad impression. Instead, you might adopt the wait and watch attitude. Listen attentively to others, may be you would be able to come up with a point or two later.
3) Speak clearly: Confidence and coolness while presenting your viewpoint are of help. See that you do not keep repeating a point. Do not use more words than necessary. Do not be superfluous. Speak politely and clearly. Use simple and understandable words while speaking. Dont be too aggressive if you are disagreeing with someone. Express your feelings calmly and politely.
4) Allow others to speak: Do not interrupt anyone in-between while speaking. Even if you dont agree with his/her thoughts do not snatch his/her chance to speak. Instead make some notes and clear the points and put them forward when its your turn. Remember in all the GDs there is a time when you can enter, begin speaking to the person who has just finished talking.
5) Positive attitude: Be confident. Do not try to dominate anyone. Keep positive body language. Show interest in discussion. Posture formal (back straight), hands together in front/on the edge of the table. Body language must reflect enthusiasm. Be natural.
6) Make sure to bring the discussion on track: If by any means group is distracting from the topic or goal then simply take initiative to bring the discussion on the track. Make all group members aware that you all need to come to some conclusion at the end of the discussion. So stick to the topic.
7) No need to go into much detail: Some basic subject analysis is sufficient. No need to mention exact figures while giving any reference. You can use approximate figures and data at Macro level (like; population) but you need you give exact number when it is Micro level (like; states in India). You have limited time so be precise and convey your thoughts in short and simple language.
8 ) Listen carefully to others: Non-verbal gestures, such as listening intently or nodding while appreciating someone's viewpoint speak of you positively. Speak less and listen more! Pay attention while others are speaking. This will make coherent discussion and you will get involved in the group positively. You will surely make people agree with you.
9) Speak sensibly: Language use should be simple, direct and straight forward. Do not speak just to increase your speaking time. Dont worry even if you speak less. Your thoughts should be sensible and relevant instead of irrelevant speech. Power to convince effectively is another quality that makes you stand out among others.
10) Formal dressing: You must demonstrate the fact that you are capable and inclined to work, not to show how fashionable you are. Do not take it casually. No fancy and funny dressing. You should be comfortable while speaking in group. Positive gesture and body language will make your work easy.
All the best !! :cheerio:
By Ms. Parul, Faculty (JIMS)
Communication and Group Discussion skill are two relevant soft skills that are must for anyone who is looking for a job.
As in a football game, where you play like a team, passing the ball to each team member and aim for a common goal, GD is also based on team work, incorporating views of different team members to reach a common goal.
What do the panelists assess?
Interpersonal Skills - People skills are an important aspect of any job. These are reflected in the ability to interact with other members of the group in a brief situation. Emotional maturity and balance promotes good interpersonal relationships. The person has to posses good interpersonal skills and has to be less self-centered.
Communication Skills - Candidates will be assessed in terms of clarity of thought, expression and aptness of language. One key aspect is listening. It indicates a willingness to accommodate others views.
Leadership Skills - Ability to take leadership roles and be able to lead, inspire and carry the team along to help them achieve the group's objectives.
Persuasive Skills - The ability to analyze and persuade others to see the problem from multiple perspectives.
Knowledge Base - GD is a test of your ability to think, your analytical capabilities and your ability to make your point in a team-based environment.
Making a good impression while speaking in GD is the basic skill every professional should have.
10 simple ways to crack a Group discussion:
1) Keep eye contact while speaking: Do not look at the evaluators only, try to ignore their presence at all times. Keep eye contact with every team member while speaking. Begin speaking to the person sitting diagonally opposite to you.
2) Initiate the GD: Initiating the GD is a high profit high loss strategy. But keep in mind - Initiate the group discussion only when you have understood the GD topic clearly and have some topic knowledge. Speaking without proper subject knowledge will lead towards creating a bad impression. If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is better not to initiate. Lack of knowledge or wrong approach creates a bad impression. Instead, you might adopt the wait and watch attitude. Listen attentively to others, may be you would be able to come up with a point or two later.
3) Speak clearly: Confidence and coolness while presenting your viewpoint are of help. See that you do not keep repeating a point. Do not use more words than necessary. Do not be superfluous. Speak politely and clearly. Use simple and understandable words while speaking. Dont be too aggressive if you are disagreeing with someone. Express your feelings calmly and politely.
4) Allow others to speak: Do not interrupt anyone in-between while speaking. Even if you dont agree with his/her thoughts do not snatch his/her chance to speak. Instead make some notes and clear the points and put them forward when its your turn. Remember in all the GDs there is a time when you can enter, begin speaking to the person who has just finished talking.
5) Positive attitude: Be confident. Do not try to dominate anyone. Keep positive body language. Show interest in discussion. Posture formal (back straight), hands together in front/on the edge of the table. Body language must reflect enthusiasm. Be natural.
6) Make sure to bring the discussion on track: If by any means group is distracting from the topic or goal then simply take initiative to bring the discussion on the track. Make all group members aware that you all need to come to some conclusion at the end of the discussion. So stick to the topic.
7) No need to go into much detail: Some basic subject analysis is sufficient. No need to mention exact figures while giving any reference. You can use approximate figures and data at Macro level (like; population) but you need you give exact number when it is Micro level (like; states in India). You have limited time so be precise and convey your thoughts in short and simple language.
8 ) Listen carefully to others: Non-verbal gestures, such as listening intently or nodding while appreciating someone's viewpoint speak of you positively. Speak less and listen more! Pay attention while others are speaking. This will make coherent discussion and you will get involved in the group positively. You will surely make people agree with you.
9) Speak sensibly: Language use should be simple, direct and straight forward. Do not speak just to increase your speaking time. Dont worry even if you speak less. Your thoughts should be sensible and relevant instead of irrelevant speech. Power to convince effectively is another quality that makes you stand out among others.
10) Formal dressing: You must demonstrate the fact that you are capable and inclined to work, not to show how fashionable you are. Do not take it casually. No fancy and funny dressing. You should be comfortable while speaking in group. Positive gesture and body language will make your work easy.
All the best !! :cheerio:
By Ms. Parul, Faculty (JIMS)