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Education Plus
Be prepared to get your GD right
S. SANDEEP KUMAR
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Group discussion is all about communicating with a group of people
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BE CONFIDENT: Group discussions help employers analyse a candidate’s critical thinking, decision-making capacity, attitude and other facets.
Group Discussion is not just talking about a given topic or expressing ones version. More popular in academic circles as ‘GD’, it is much more.
It has different facets and employers firmly believe in conducting group discussions to test an applicant in different parameters.
Unfortunately, many employers feel that students ignore this vital area of an interview and are found wanting.
Normally in a group discussion, a student is tested in terms of group behaviour, communication skills, content collection and leadership attributes.
All these areas have to be equally balanced and even a slight deficiency in any of those could cost a student. He or she could easily be eliminated from further rounds, explained T. I. M. E Private Limited Deputy General Manager, Ajith Kumar, addressing students at the Osmania University’s Placement training programme – Samanvaya 2008. It was an initiative of the Osmania University Placement Training Office, together with T. I. M. E and Cognizant Technology Solutions.
Group Discussions help employers get a fix on a student’s critical thinking, decision-making capacity, attitude, aptitude and above all, the flexibility to work in a team.
When he or she starts expressing opinions on a given topic, it is the content that is tested rather than the language.
“Students, specially those from rural areas have a notion that fluency in English can only help them in faring better in Group Discussion, but it is not so. Even those who use simple English are also considered, however, local lingo should be avoided,” says Mr. Ajith Kumar.
Home work
While those with good command over language avoid doing home work to learn about current affairs, issues and even about the company for which they are attending the interview. This can have a negative impact, he adds.
Group discussion is all about communicating with a group of people. Eye contact and body language play an important role. Most students tend to look at either the interviewer or any single member of the group but that again shows lack of confidence.
Students also tend to use aggressive gestures while interrupting others and expressing their views at Group Discussions.
This can brand them as arrogant, informs CTS Senior Business Analyst Nischal Ram.
“Asking questions and joining in discussions are important skills for university study. If a student finds it difficult to speak or ask questions in classes, they can improve discussion skills by attending informal settings or with a small group. Asking questions to fellow students and seeking their opinions helps a lot,” advises Mr. Ram.
Do’s:
- Speak pleasantly and politely to the group.
- Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn to disagree politely.
- Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don’t introduce irrelevant information.
- Be aware of your body language when you are speaking.
Don’t s :
- Lose your temper. A discussion is not an argument.
- Shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch.
- Use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures like finger pointing and table thumping can appear aggressive.
- Interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are saying before you speak.
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