A group discussion consists of:
Communication Skills
Knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject
Capability to co-ordinate and lead
Exchange of thoughts
Addressing the group as a whole
Thorough preparations
Communication Skills
It is necessary that you should be precise and clear. As a
rule evaluators do not look for the wordage produced. Your knowledge on a given
subject, your precision and clarity of thought are the things that are
evaluated. Irrelevant talks lead you nowhere. You should speak as much as
necessary, neither more nor less. Group discussions are not debating stages.
Ability to listen is also what evaluators judge. They look
for your ability to react on what other participants say. Hence, it is necessary
that you listen carefully to others and then react or proceed to add some more
points. Your behavior in the group is also put to test to judge whether you are
a loner or can work in a
group.
You should be able to convey your thoughts satisfactorily
and convincingly before a group of people. Confidence and level headedness in
doing so is necessary. These add value to your presentation. In case you are
not good at it, you might gain by joining an institute that offers specialized
courses in public speaking. For instance, British Council Division's English
Language Teaching Centre offers a wide range of courses like conversation
skills, business communication skills, business writing, negotiation skills and
presentation skills. Mostly people attend these courses to improve their
communication skills. Students here are involved in activities which use
communication skills and teachers provide inputs, monitor and facilitate the
classes. The course at the Centre makes you confident enough to speak before
people without any nervousness.
Knowledge and Ideas Regarding a Given Subject
Knowledge of the subject under discussion and clarity of
ideas are important. Knowledge comes from consistent reading on various topics
ranging from science and technology to politics. In-depth knowledge makes one
confident and enthusiastic and this in turn, makes one sound convincing and
confident.
Leadership and Coordinating Capabilities
The basic aim of a group discussion is to judge a
candidate's leadership qualities. The examiner withdraws and becomes a silent
spectator once the discussion starts. A candidate should display tactfulness,
skill, understanding and knowledge on varied topics, enterprise, forcefulness
and other leadership qualities to motivate and influence other candidates who
may be almost equally competent.
Exchange of Thoughts
A group discussion is an exchange of thoughts and ideas
among members of a group. These discussions are held for selecting personnel in
organisations where there is a high level of competition. The number of
participants in a group can vary between 8 and 15. Mostly a topic or a
situation is given to group members who have to discuss it within 10 to 20
minutes.
The purpose is to get an idea about candidates in a short
time and make assessments about their skills, which normally cannot be
evaluated in an interview. These skills may be team membership, leadership
skills, listening and articulation skills.
A note is made of
your contributions to the discussion, comprehension of the main idea, the
rapport you strike, patience, assertion, accommodation, amenability, etc. Body
language and eye contact too are important points which are to be considered. .
Addressing the Group as a Whole
In a group discussion it is not necessary to address anyone
by name. Even otherwise you may not know everyone's names. It better to address
the group as a whole.
Address the person farthest from you. If he can hear you
everyone else too can. Needless to add, as for the interview, attend the group
discussion in formal dress. The language used should also be formal, not the
language used in normal conversations. For instance, words and phrases like
"yar", "chalta hai", "CP", "I dunno",
etc. are out. This is not to say you should use a high sounding, pedantic
language. Avoiding both, just use formal, plain and simple language. Hinglish,
(mixture of Hindi and English) should be discarded.
Confidence and coolness while presenting your viewpoint are
of help. See that you do not keep repeating a point. Do not use more words than
necessary. Do not be superfluous. Try to be specific. Do not exaggerate.
Thorough Preparation
Start making preparations for interview and group
discussions right away, without waiting till the eleventh hour, this is, if and
when called for them. Then the time left may not be adequate. It is important
to concentrate on subject knowledge and general awareness. Hence, the prime
need for thorough preparation. Remember, the competition is very tough. Only
460 candidates make it to the final list from 2.75 lakh civil service aspirants
each year.
It may so happen that you are called for interviews and
group discussions from three or four organizations but are not selected by any.
The reason obviously lies in your not being well-prepared.
In a group discussion you may be given a topic and asked to
express your views on it. Or in a case study GD, students have to read a case
study and suggest ways of tackling the problem. For this you should have a good
general knowledge, need to be abreast with current affairs, should regularly
read newspapers and magazines. Your group behaviour and communication skills
are on test, i.e. how you convince the others and how clearly you are able to
express your points of view. You should be articulate, generate ideas, not sound
boring, should allow others to speak, and adopt a stand on a given subject.
During the course of the GD this stand can even be changed, giving the
impression that you are open to accommodate others' viewpoints.
S.Ganesh,MBA, Phd
HR , Group Discussion Team !
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