After passing their written or aptitude test, candidates must participate in the Group Discussion, or GD, a vital elimination phase in the interview process.
A crucial step in any screening procedure, group discussions (GD) involve a group of participants who are asked to discuss and argue various facets of a topic provided by the interviewers.
The group discussion round is something you will have to deal with in order to go closer to attaining your ambition, regardless of whether you are trying to get into a prestigious college or applying for a job.
Although many candidates become paralysed by the notion of how they would present themselves in a group discussion, if you understand the tried and true strategies that work in GDs, the round will not be as terrifying as it first appears.
We provide you with some useful advice and tactics in this article that will help you succeed in group discussions. But first, let me explain why the GD round is so important before we move on.
The group discussion round is important because it gives interviewers the chance to assess candidates on a range of factors, such as their level of confidence, teamwork traits, communication, leadership, analytical, and logical abilities.
Check out the top eight group discussion strategies listed below, which you should absolutely use in your next interview, now that you are aware of what GD is and why it is significant from the perspective of the interviewer.
1. It's Important to Be Aware of Subjects Related to Your Background
Before participating in a group discussion, experts advise doing some study on hot subjects in your profession. Even while it is impossible to stay on top of every topic under the sun, you should nonetheless be well-versed in issues that are directly related to your educational or professional background.
You must be knowledgeable about some typical group conversation themes that relate to the present social and economic climate, upcoming technology, or current events in addition to having a fair understanding of the fundamental concepts in your field.
Consider exploring the following themes for group discussions:
The effect of the coronavirus on global trade
Do you believe that in the post-COVID environment, virtual learning could be a useful tool?
Is WFH (Work from Home) becoming more common?
What opinions do you have on cryptocurrencies?
Social media: Is it a social ill or a blessing?
Female managers perform better. Whether you concur or disagree
Group discussion topics might range from the ongoing worldwide epidemic to well-known case studies, contentious to general issues. You can approach the group discussion round with confidence if you research some typical GD themes, like the ones described above, in addition to preparing for topics that are relevant to your profile.
Remember that while having a fundamental understanding of the topic under discussion is vital, how you communicate that understanding to the interviewers and other participants in the group discussion is even more crucial. Therefore, be careful to practise your presentation abilities before showing up for your GD.
2. Take Charge
In a group discussion, choosing the appropriate moment to strike up a dialogue is crucial. Some people think that speaking first gets the interviewer's attention, but that isn't necessarily true because it can also backfire.
If you have noteworthy data or statistics that are pertinent to the subject, you can start the conversation off by speaking. Otherwise, it's best to speak between dialogues.
Listen to other participants' opinions regarding the discussion's topic if you are unsure or perplexed, and then modify your response accordingly.
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3. Violence has no place in group discussions.
Be mindful of your words and body language when speaking in a group setting. Many people in a group conversation will have opinions that are different from your own. You must respect their viewpoints and present your own firmly but politely.
Never shout or get furious, just remember that. Maintaining composure and self-control will improve your appearance.
Here are a few words you can use to politely voice your opinions.
You can say if you disagree with someone: "Although I appreciate your opinion, I disagree. I have a very different viewpoint."
"I am in agreement with you; I also have the same point of view," is a statement you can use to express your agreement with someone.
You might find yourself in instances where you partially disagree with someone in addition to the two examples above. Say something along the lines of "I somewhat agree with you, but I do not totally endorse your position" in certain circumstances.
Say "I'm sorry, I would like to interrupt you there" if you need to step in at any moment.
You could remark, "Apart from that, I desire to add," to add to a conversation that is already underway.
The use of suitable language, such as the examples above, demonstrates your openness to considering other points of view while maintaining your own.
Keep in mind that the goal of group talks is to assess a candidate's temperament, conduct, and interpersonal abilities. Therefore, it's crucial to maintain your attitude and self-assurance during the GD session.
4. Be an Effective Communicator
How effectively you communicate your ideas and how convincingly you support them to the interviewers and other group members will matter in a group discussion. Absolute clarity is essential when speaking, not just to make your argument but also to make a good first impression.
Check out these quick exercises on YouTube to hone your vocal clarity so you can speak more clearly.
After making your opening statement, another important thing to remember is not to relax. Use the words from the previous section to enter the conversation whenever you feel it is suitable to do so.
5. Pay Attention; Don't Just Hear
In a group conversation, listening skills are crucial. Listening demonstrates your respect for others and aids in understanding the subject being discussed.
When others are speaking, pay close attention and then plan your reply. Make brief eye contact with the speakers and nod your head as well. This demonstrates that you are actively participating in the conversation.
All effective presenters are also excellent listeners, therefore if you want to succeed in group debates, you must also hone your listening abilities to a high level.
6. Improve Your Body Language
A form of non-verbal communication is body language. It is becoming more and more well-known these days because it is so important in defining a person's personality, degree of confidence, and leadership abilities.
Be conscious that everything you do will be observed, including how you approach the room, speak, sit, and act. Therefore, always appear calm, sit up straight, dress properly, and avoid tight body language.
There are many videos on body language on YouTube. Learn how to use body language to influence your audience by watching some of these videos.
7. Be the First to Conclude the Conversation
You can draw the interviewers' attention by summarising the entire group conversation and emphasising the key aspects. Keep your summary brief and pertinent. Additionally, be sure to offer an unbiased overview rather than a biassed one.
8. Be Non-Aggressive
In order to make an impression on the group, group discussion members frequently promote their opinions aggressively. They are unaware that yelling and acting aggressively can cost them points.
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