Clearing Group discussions like a champion

The group discussion which is also called “GD” in short has always been an integral part of recruitment process in both private and public sector.GD in most recruitment tests are preceded by aptitude test and followed by interviews.GD’S are often regarded as the fear of unknown and that is only because of the perception that the topic given in GD’s are difficult and may even require out of the box thinking. The topic in most of the GD’s are generally related to the current events or of general trends that are going around the country .Sometime topics can be both funny yet confusing but are generally provided to check candidates thinking and reasoning ability. Out of the box thinking and creativity is what recruiter wants to see in the candidates while giving such topics. In a Group Discussion (GD), you are expected to contribute meaningfully and help arrive at a consensus. It is not a platform for you to fight your way through and dominate. Flexibility and getting with the group is also very important. The fear and anxiety before a GD can be there either due to insufficient knowledge or due to lack of experience in facing such things. Both the factors can be curbed in by adding practices to the routine.Here are 10 tips for people to win the battle that often leads them to the final stage of getting a job.


1) Increase your pool of knowledge: Make a habit of “READING” and learn something new daily. For people who are not so fascinated by newspapers download some apps that flash news at frequent intervals so that they catch your eye most of the time. In this manner you’ll be able to capture at least a part of it if not all. People who enjoy reading newspapers, you’re going well. Reading and assimilation of knowledge from different fields and subjects would not only widen your scope of thinking but would also push your confidence to a new level.



2) Make the first step/initiate the GD: People initiating the GD often catch the eye of the recruiter/mediator early. Taking the first step not only shows your confidence level but also makes a positive impression about your approach towards situations. The only time you should restrain yourself going in first is when you have very little or no knowledge at all about the topic. Speaking about a topic of which you have no idea often can get you in trouble as it would make the recruiter know about your shallow knowledge on that particular topic.



3) Adjust your tone & use language that is acceptable to all: Adjust your tone in a way in which you are completely audible and clear to members of the group and to the person judging you. The tone shouldn’t be too harsh and unpleasant to the ear and not too soft to be inaudible. Use of English is the most acceptable form of language in GD’s.



4) Using facts and figures :Use of figures and facts related to the topic makes your opinion more powerful as facts and figures serves as proof for a given statements. In order to make one’s statement influential use of these is always recommended.



5) Allow other people to put their views: Allowing and encouraging other people to give inputs is also a nice habit in Gd’s and often would fetch you points. Snatching other’s chance to speak is not a good habit. However it doesn’t mean you keep on encouraging others and remain silent at all times.


6) Try to blend in with the pace with which the GD is moving: It is often seen that a group or even an individual starts dominating the whole GD.There is a need to catch up with the group and get a good timing in order to place your opinion effectively. Waiting for a very long time in GD’S is not a safer bet especially when it’s a free form GD and not an individual centered.



7) Keep a check on the time and the track on which GD is headed towards: Keeping the discussion in the right track is an essential thing. There is a need to keep a check on the time allocated too for a particular discussion so that one can always conclude the GD at the right moment. It is also necessary to stop the group from going away from the main topic.



8) Avoid Slang's and negative gestures: GD is a formal discussion. Avoid informal words and negative gestures. For e.g. avoid words like gonna, wanna, ya etc. Similarly avoid gestures like pointing fingers, knocking the desk with the pen.



9) Maintain an eye contact: Maintain eye contact with team members and not evaluators. They’re not a part of the discussion. Ensure that you get to speak your point, if the other members hear you, the evaluators will too.



10) Conclude/summarize the GD at the right time: Most GD doesn’t really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group decides in favor or against the topic. But every GD is summarized. You can summaries what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell. Understand that the aim is not to speak often or for long periods. The aim is to be precise and clear with your points. Ultimately, the discussion has to reach a conclusion and you must strive towards that.




While summarizing a discussion:


· Avoid raising new points.

· Avoid stating only your viewpoint.

· Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.

· Keep it brief and concise.

· It must incorporate all the important points that came out during the GD.

· Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized.