Simplifying GDs
The reason why management institutes and companies put you through a group discussion (GD) and a personal interview (PI), after testing your technical and conceptual skills in examination, is to get to know you as a person and gauge how well you will fit in their institute and company. The GD tests how you function as part of a team. As a manager, you will always be working with teams, as a member or as a leader. Therefore, how you interact in a team becomes an important criterion for your selection.
Success at GDs
- Be your natural self. Avoid putting on a show for the moderators.
- The score you receive depends both on ‘what’ you say and ‘how’ you say it. Your gestures and mannerisms are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.
- Be assertive not dominating.
- Be patient; don’t lose your cool.
- Never get involved in one to one discussions with any participant.
- Bring in as many diverse aspects as you can to the discussion.
- Always be polite: try to use phrase like: ‘I would like to share my views on…’ or ‘Yes, I agree, but…’
- If you have understood the topic in the correct light then do initiate the GD.
- You do not have to be the leader to succeed.
- Always address everyone in the group.
- Never be hesitant to speak if others are speaking. Remember, you never interrupt anyone in the GD – you enter it.
- Never argue incessantly with any other member.
- Maintain eye contact with as many members of the group as possible.
- Maintain a positive talk-listen ratio. Listen aggressively.
- Never change your stand on any issue during the group discussion.
- Keep your submissions brief and to the point.
- Use facts, figures, examples, statistics, and data to support your stand.
- Always remember, it does not matter how you rate your performance; what counts is how the moderators perceive it.
- Finally, practice makes perfect. Mock GD sessions go a long way in improving your performance and confidence.
What the moderators look for during a GD
- Command over spoken English
- Communication skills
- Knowledge
- Convincing ability
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Conceptualizing skills
- Leadership skills
- Body language
- Maturity
- Creativity
- Confidence
- Assertiveness
- Team spirit
- Ability to take initiative
Winning Checklist
- Dress smartly and appropriately. Those who assess you tend to give a higher grade to those who take care to present themselves in their best.
- Look at the moderators as you talk to them.
- It does not cost you to smile when occasion demands. Do smile when you appear for the group discussion and leave the room and wherever appropriate during the group discussion.
- Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard.
