Notes - The What and Why of a Group Discussion?

o Process Steps

Randomly choosing candidates from the overall list

The number generally limited to 6 to 10

Candidates sit around a table and face each other

The interviewer spells out the time limit for discussion, and the rules that apply

A topic for discussion is either read out or displayed on a board by the interviewer

A brief time slot is allowed for all to make a mental assessment of the topic under discussion

The countdown begins after a go-ahead signal

Generally, a time of 15 to 20 minutes is allowed for the discussion, wherein each participant is expected to speak on the subject

The style and process of conducting a group discussion may differ, its purpose remains the same

o The Purpose1. Your ability to perform relative to the rest of the group is judged, rather than your

absolute ability. The process of such a discussion helps to find out if a candidate has the

ability to stand out in a group.

Absolute vs. Relative A common myth is that only individual performance counts, not group

performance.

It is your relative performance in a group discussion that determines your caliber.

Therefore, it is essential to note that the performance of the group as a whole is also important.

Your genuine efforts for building a consensus in the group while still maintaining your point of view is what spells SUCCESS in a group discussion.

2. To gauge the Inter-personal skills:

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Effective communication and presentation style

Comprehension of core issues

Clarity of thought, power of logical reasoning and creative approach

How do the candidates interact with and support each other? Their team spirit and leadership abilities.

Capability to cope with the dynamics of a situation, including the limited time available.

o Aspects of a Group Discussion (GD) There are two aspects of a GD:

1. Content, i.e. the subject matter of discussion.2. Process, i.e. how the subject matter is discussed and presented.

o Categories of Topics

1. Factual: (social, political, technological, etc) Content is the key• A basic knowledge of the subject is essential to perform well with this

type of GD topic• For example : “Reservation for women in parliament”

1. Abstract• Communication and Creativity is the key

• It is important to think out-of-the-box

• Here, the prime mover advantage works out more than anywhere else.

• In all probability, the group would be focusing on the perspective that you have presented and hence you would be one up on the rest

• For example: “Direction is more important than speed in life”

o Keeping all that we have discussed till now, the skills required for a group discussion can be summed up as:

Strong conceptualization skills Effective communication - in English Good diction and articulation of speech Listening skill – paying attention to what others are saying during the

discussion Good inter-personal skills are:

• How a candidate interacts with another

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• Supports others• His or her team spirit• Leadership ability

Power of logical reasoning Public speaking practice Clarity of thought Body language, eye contact, and good diction ENTHUSIASM

o Some of these skills cannot be ascertained in the personal interview

o GD plays a critical role in the selection process. To do well in the interview, you have to do well in the group discussion as well

o GD is a powerful tool to single out persons with good communication, inter-personal and conceptualization skills

o Do’s of a Group Discussion Introduce yourself to the group. Be specific and brief. In most cases, it is

enough to mention your name, institution and academic stream.

Take your seat as directed by the interviewer, and sit attentively.

Listen carefully to the topic being proposed for discussion. You may ask for it to be repeated, if you need clarification.

Carry a piece of paper and a pencil to note down the theme and main talking points.

Avoid writing long essay-like sentences.

Conceptualize your approach and ideas by jotting down a few points, but do it quickly.

Take the lead to speak first, provided that no other candidate has already begun talking.

Be brief and analytical in whatever you say.

During the discussion, address your group members, and not the interviewers, making eye contact with all.

It’s best to speak for a short while at first (say for 1 to 1 ½ minute), and then take the opportunity later to add some critical points after a few others have spoken.

Allow others to speak without any interruption.

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Try to exhibit your leadership quality by taking the lead in settling a point under discussion, that is being disputed by others.

Exhibit your team spirit by co-operating with others during the discussion.

It is not enough to start well; you also have to end well. Try to briefly summarize your points and give your brief conclusion.

Be ready to summarize the main discussed points in your own words at the end.

Thank the group members and the interviewers at the end.

o Don’ts of a Group Discussion

Don’t lean on the table. Sit straight and comfortably, and look up at each other.

Don’t talk or whisper amongst yourselves after the interviewer has started introducing the topic.

Don’t repeat exactly what another candidate has already said. You must have your own views and points to add.

Don’t stray away from the core issues.

Don’t remain silent for long.You must speak and contribute to the discussion. Get into the discussion at the earliest opportunity.

Don’t cut short or interrupt anyone to enter into the discussion. Wait for the opportunity to enter.

If the speaking candidate is taking too long, try to enter into the discussion by saying, “May I add some extra points to what you are saying?”

Don’t just say, “I agree with him.” You must say something based on your own thoughts and views.

Don’t try to dominate the discussion by intervening in everybody’s discussion or by taking too long to speak or too frequently.

Don’t show any sign of indifference during the discussion; be enthusiastic all through the discussion.

Don’t get angry or agitated because of difference of views with others.

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Don’t make any personal attack or remark Don’t start with any argumentative statements.

A group discussion is not for argument, but for contribution from each to add value to the discussion and to make it an enriching experience.

Don’t try to add any new point of your own (which has not been discussed) during summarizing.

These are easier said than practiced.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE…

o To be effective in the group discussion:

Try to grasp the central point (core issue) of the topic

Then, build and conceptualize your points for presentationTopic: Westernization is not modernization of society

Open your discussion with a short but emphatic statement, followed by a brief analysis of the issue involved

While expanding upon your points, stay centered on the issue being discussed

Don’t bring up too many points at a time. Doing so often leads to disconnection of thoughts and incoherent discussion.

Do not openly challenge another speaker’s views and create a row during the discussion

• If you don’t agree with somebody’s view, politely say so. One of the ways to do this is by saying that you would like to take a different view of the subject

Or by saying • “It is good that we have divergent views on the subject because that

gives one the opportunity to analyze the issue completely. I would like to say that…”

• This does not mean that you should not be assertive. Be assertive, but without offending others or being overtly aggressive

o What are the parameters that GD moderators grade participants on?

Ability to initiate a discussion

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Ability to summarize

Number of times you expressed an independent opinion

Overall relevance of points

Ability to illustrate your points with relevant examples or statistics

Eye contact and hand movements

Voice level and audibility

Number of times you interrupt a person or are interrupted by one

Overall presentation – aggressive, assertive, laid back or nervous

Involvement with group – interested/attentive or disinterested/careless

Manner of participation – inviting discussion, dominating or conclusion oriented

o FAQo Should I be the first one to speak?

If you are the first speaker, make a good opening statement, that is relevant and sets the tone for the GD.

If you do this it will work in your favor and you may automatically become the group leader.

If you mess it up, maybe speaking just for the heck of it and not really having anything pertinent to say, that will be held against you.

So take care of your words – use them only when you know you can make an impact.

o If I don’t speak first, when is the best time to enter the discussion?

During any GD, there are crests and thoughts. • The crest is when the noise level is at its peak. • The trough is when there is almost total silence.

Ideally, you should enter the GD during the trough period. But usually in competitive GDs, the crests occur more often and troughs may not occur at all.

In such cases:

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• identify the stages where ideas you know you can contribute vitally to are being discussed

• and enter the GD irrespective of the noise level

If the noise level is too high:• Identify the most powerful speaker in the group, and mentally note

down the points that he/she is making• The moment the noise level reduces a little, enter the discussion,

adding to what that speaker said• You will have most likely, made a strong ally who will carry you

through the noise

o How can I be sure I’m not speaking too little or too much? Try to speak as many times as you can. Just make sure that it is relevant and

there is a connection between your views and what others are saying.

Do not be bothered about any possible bias the moderator might have, as that is beyond your control.

Do not repeat your points.

Generally, as a rule of thumb, the person who is a clear thinker with a sound knowledge of the topic being discussed speaks more.

This leads the students into believing that whoever speaks most is successful. But just speaking for the sake of it will not take you far.

o Should I support the argument, oppose it or take a balanced stand?

The most important thing to remember is that a GD is a discussion, not a debate, hence it is not recommended that you take any stand in the GD.

By taking a stand you are limiting the scope of your discussion, because then you have to stand by it.. You cannot look at other angles of the issue without appearing to contradict yourself.

Not taking a stand indicates you are a mature, flexible and an objective person.

You may participate actively by pointing out all the angles of the issue in a reasonable and logical manner without taking a stand on any one point of view.

o I don’t feel confident enough for a GD, as I’m not very good in English. What should I do?

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It is not critical to have a great command over English though it certainly is advantageous.

This, of course, will not compensate for lack of good content. If your content is good and your English is not outstanding, you must be vocal rather than be inhibited by lack of fluency in the language.

You will get credit for soundness of ideas.

You must, however, improve your language skills by reading extensively. Also practice speaking in English whenever you get the opportunity to do so.

o Is it a good idea to use jargon? Avoid using technical terms as far as possible.

In case it is unavoidable, make sure that you do not use abbreviations, and in case you need to, explain to the group what it means.

It is quite likely that other participants of the group have a different academic background from yours, and you should make sure you are all on a level playing field.

o What should I do if I find the discussion is losing focus? If the discussion is losing focus, then maybe you can make an interim

summary so that the group gets a direction.

It helps the group to focus on the most important points and thus use the remaining time more effectively.

It is not necessary to make an interim summary, if the discussion is already well focused.

o Should I try to motivate others? Motivating others can work in your favor if it is done properly.

However this depends on how it is done. • If you openly request someone to speak, you may be putting the other

person in a difficult spot, and the moderator will not look upon that favorably.

• If the person whom you have asked to speak was in fact very eager to speak but just needed a little push, then your move would be looked on positively.

• You can use other, indirect means of motivation, such as agreeing with faltering speakers, adding on to their points, implicitly supporting and giving them direction.

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• Use your time to voice your opinions first.

o Extempore An extempore is a short unprepared speech.

Hit the topic straightaway, as there is a time restriction.

Identify the most important point, as this will establish a quick communication.

You may use personal life experiences but see that you use that experience to explain a general condition

Use simple language and short sentences

Give an apt conclusion

The main points to be noted are: Capability to speak clearly in public

Use of vocabulary and diction

Level of confidence in speaking

Mode of delivery and body language

Depth of knowledge on the subject

Logical reasoning and presentation of subject mattero Activities that can be done as a follow up

Skill –practice Form smaller informal groups of friends Meet once a week Practice Extempore with different topics Practice GD with different topics Learn from each other’s viewpoints Take turns to become observers and give each other constructive feedback Support each other in weak areas Praise the strong points USE CAMERA Reward yourself for your achievements

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