Be it for MBA admission or Sarkari Naukri interview or Railway/ Bank Exams, Group discussion is a major phase in the selection process. Don’t forget, Group Discussions are always full of Chaos! He starts opposing you, she starts yelling and two other people start arguing among themselves only. You don’t have a word to say!! And in this noisy room, you are supposed to impress the teacher so that you clear the GD round.
When you start your career, you may think what is Group Discussion? What is the purpose of the examiner to conduct the GD round? What does he want to know about you through this round? In recent times, this process plays an indispensable role during campus recruitment or at the time of admission in top B schools. Now, the selection committee conducts a group discussion to estimate the capability of the candidate. During the screening process, group discussion is organized to evaluate skills like Leadership, Communication, Motivational, Team Building, Listening, Interpersonal, Presentation, and Analytical. Whether you are applying for Latest Govt Jobs or appearing in entrance exams these tips play an important role in crossing the gatekeeper and cracking the discussion round.
Group Discussion is an important round and also full of chaos, as I earlier said. But as quoted by someone, Chaos is a ladder. And I am going to tell you how to climb that ladder for clearing your Group Discussion Round. But most importantly, the biggest misconception among youngsters is that the one who speaks vociferously or the one who talks the most or the one who prevails over the communication gets selected. This writing throws light on the points that may help you stand out in a group discussion:-
Be assertive, not aggressive
An assertive person is direct, trustworthy and attentive about not hurting others. Do not act as a Mr or Ms. Perfect. At the time of discussion, never try to humiliate others and give sufficient time to fellow speakers to speak. It is advisable to disagree on ideas instead of making personal attacks, you can use sentences as I disagree, but I’d like to hear more about your side.” or “Could you please explain why you think that?
Be Precise
It is better to keep in mind that group discussion is for 12 – 15 minutes usually. Express yourself precisely and without beating about the bush. During GD round assume, you are with friends or family, and you have an opinion about everything. Group Discussions are exactly the same, friends and family get together.
Be logical and fact-oriented
To grab the attention of the examiner and team members it is of utmost importance to put forward relevant points supported with facts. Try to explain or illustrate your viewpoint with facts and figures. Read newspapers, magazines and listen to TV discussions to develop this ability. When you have an opinion or a fact that’s relevant to what’s being said, jump in and speak up. If you’re a little shy, try getting the leader’s attention so you have a chance to speak.
Be a patient listener
Group discussion involves both listening and speaking. Do not try to create a fish market. Listening to others is also one way of showing appreciation. Always show interest when another speaker speaks. To listen well, don’t just be thinking about what you want to say next. Actually, hear what the other members are saying.
Maximize participation
It is undoubtedly true that the one who speaks the most is not necessarily the best candidate. I allege that silence is not gold during group discussion as it depicts a lack of knowledge and information. The candidate must contribute fully and steadily throughout the discussion. It is best to take the initiative to participate and share your thoughts. While sharing ideas, please remember that you have to contribute, but you also must help to keep the group going in a positive direction.
Accept Criticism
If any member disapproves of your point, it must be viewed positively. Do not react sharply at the time of criticism. As a leader, it is important to pay attention to how each member is reacting to what’s being said. Try to stop arguments among other members. Try to mediate the problem by asking what that person thinks, as well as encouraging members to let others finish their thoughts before speaking up.
Besides all these points, it is also important to be updated with the latest job opportunities and keep an eye on employment news.
About The Author
Swati Sharma
Swati Sharma writes for online publications, newspapers covering business, technology, health, career, fitness and sports. She holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from one of the reputed university. She loves to write about every aspect of technology and recent market trends.
