11 Apr 2014
When it's time for you to begin your career, whether it is campus recruitments or other recruitment drives, fresher's in hoards throng to the venue for the job opportunities. The very first level of elimination is the Group discussions, making it the most fearsome hurdle between you and the job. of course, there are many rounds of interviews for the few vacancies on offer, but one would be able to go through them only, if one is able to get through the Group Discussion round first. Here are a few factors that should be taken care of for acing a Group Discussion.
The first thing that catches the eye about a person is grooming. It is first impression that matters a lot. Keeping this in mind one should dress up well and pay attention to their grooming for the Group Discussion.
One should clear any doubts if they have beforehand itself, so that one is able to start the Group Discussion on a clear note.
One should ensure that they carry a pen and a notepad to the Group Discussion, so that they are able to jot down any points while participating in the discussion, not only does this help you in remembering your points well, it also shows your preparedness to the recruiters.
Follow Body language Tips For Group Discussion
One should pay attention to body language while in the discussion, as these are the things that are noticed by the recruiters. they pay very close attention to the way the candidates carry themselves and speak. Some pointers of correct body language are
It's always advisable to initiate the discussion, unless one is not confident about the topic. In such case when the topic is unfamiliar wait and let someone else initiate the discussion and then you will be able to get information about the topic, which can then be used to give astute comments.
It's extremely important to maintain eye contact while speaking. While addressing a group, one should make eye contact with all the members equally with whom it's possible to make eye contact ( due to proximity and line of vision )
Usually, people think that in a Group discussion one should go on speaking, even though it is good to talk in a group discussion, but one should also be able to listen to the important points made by other candidates as well, not only does it give you new ideas, it also gives you time to think and formulate your next response, which would be very much in the right context.
This is the most important of all the points, ultimately one has to speak well in order to impress the recruiters. Hence one should polish their language skills and increase their knowledge base.
It is very important to maintain decorum while in a Group Discussion, as unruly behavior is the most undesirable for everyone.
Lastly, be positive. It affects us, as well as others around us.
From college admissions to C-suite job interviews, there is no escaping the group discussion (GD) round. It will accompany you at every stage of your career path as it remains one of the most efficient methods to tick boxes, such as confidence, teamwork abilities, leadership, empathy, and analytical skills, among others. So if you freeze at the thought of voicing your opinions out loud—especially in front of a group of unknown faces – check out these tips and tested methods to navigate a group discussion successfully.
Possessing quality knowledge in your domain and the ability to articulate that expertise are both equally important aspects of acing a group discussion. Delivering pre-learned knowledge demands a lot of practice in terms of speech presentation, using the right keywords, and being humble while countering conflicting perspectives.
It is also important to deliver knowledge with calm and composure. Recruiters are always on the lookout for candidates who can put their points across without getting aggressive. Try speaking this way if you disagree with someone:
“I’m sorry, but I don’t completely agree with you on this point.”
Or you could treat the opposing perspective as a different set of arguments:
“I respect your opinion on this, but here’s another viewpoint that I’d like to share.”
Controlling emotions while engaging in persuasion will only underscore your confidence and impress recruiters.
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Core subject knowledge is important. But often, the topics in a group discussion steer you away from your field of expertise to bring their applications into the foreground. So, let’s say, in a Machine Learning (ML) discussion, the topic could be the economic and sociological impact of self-driving cars. This would entail an understanding of self-driving cars in different contexts, such as ecology, politics, and culture, and linking it with technical knowledge about the subject.
When leading a discussion, delivering value with every sentence is of utmost importance. Remember, you are steering the group discussion in a definite direction. So either make sure you have enough material to talk about, or simply pass on the baton with a defining data point that bolsters your argument’s overall strength Also, you shouldn’t lead a discussion if you feel unsure how to phrase your thoughts; instead, allow others to take charge.
Active listening shows respect for opposing viewpoints and their owners. This is a crucial test for candidates because, in business environments, handling difficult conversations is a fundamental part of your business acumen. Moreover, listening carefully is a fundamental characteristic of a good speaker.
Body language is an umbrella term used for everything non-verbal, of which eye contact, as discussed below, is crucial. Quick tutorials on streaming websites talk about body language—for instance, how you dress for the group discussion, your choice of words while introducing yourself, your instantaneous reactions to opposing arguments, and how much you allow others to speak. Recruiters assess each of these aspects as the rounds progress.
This is a body language essential that indicates confidence and integrity in the speaker, apart from encouraging quality conversations. Always follow the 50/70 rule, which says you should make eye contact at least 50% of the time you are speaking to someone.
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Here’s a quick tip: if someone deviates from the topic, use that chance to interrupt them politely and bring the discussion back on track. To prevent yourself from doing the same, prepare some anchoring points, based on the subject(s) you are interviewed for, to fall back on in case of a slip-off.
The best speakers are the ones who are good with examples. Generic statements often confuse the audience by stunting the argument. For instance, there is a qualitative difference between “machine learning bias is an inherent problem of data science” and “the failure of COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions) proves the formidable challenges of machine learning in data collection bias”.
Summary makers tend to impress recruiters as they provide the essential quality of wrapping up scattered discussions and taking the lead in closing their argument smoothly—a crucial quality in business administration. But be careful to correctly recall every other argument discussed on the subject so that your summary sounds impartial.
These discussions focus on presenting a variety of facts against each other. Recruiters check a candidate’s skill in supporting their arguments with hard facts instead of using emotions as a means of persuasion.
Example of GD topic: The impact of national education policy: A boon or a curse?
Candidates argue about a real-life scenario in this type of group discussion. These GDs act as litmus tests for participants’ practical and critical thinking abilities.
Example of GD topic: Elon Musk’s Twitter buy is a disaster
This is the most common type of group discussion that allows candidates to share their thoughts, opinions, and subjective viewpoints on a topic, apart from facts.
Example of GD topic: Is polygamy really illegal in our society?
One of the most effective ways to judge a group’s imagination is to bring an abstract discussion to the table. In this environment, candidates are forced to approach the subject with originality.
Example of GD topic: Humans will stop promoting violence by 2050
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Some of the most relevant skills required to impress in a group discussion are as follows:
Empathy
Strong interpersonal communication skills
Proactivity
Leadership to boost confidence in others
Time management
Speech management
If you are opening the group discussion, follow these three tips while introducing yourself:
Be confident about yourself and the subjects you want to broach
Start the introduction with something exciting
Keep track of your time while introducing yourself
Here’s an example on how to get started:
Hello everybody,
My name is ______, and I would like to speak for the subject that this world favors men more than any other gender. But I’d also love to introduce myself in this context as I have a history of gender activism and have witnessed first-hand the gruesome statistics involved in familial violence….[then proceed to state your points]
Here are five strict no-nos in a group discussion:
Allowing emotions to get in the way of your argument
Overburdening your arguments with information
Focusing on how long you speak than what you say
Not paying attention to your body language
Suppressing voices and not encouraging others to speak
To conclude, practice speaking in front of the mirror and also set up mock group discussion rounds with your friends to hone your communication skills. And while you are at it, strengthen your knowledge base with the variety of industry-level courses offered by Emeritus, in association with globally renowned universities.
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