Group Discussion is an important part of selection process where employers evaluate candidate’s potential to be a leader and also ability to work in teams. Groups of 8-10 candidates are formed into a leaderless group, and are given a specific situation to analyze and discuss within a given time limit, which may vary between twenty minutes and forty-five minutes.

They may be given a case study and asked to come out with a solution for a problem. They may be given a topic and are asked to discuss same.

What is being tested?

You’ll have to be able to understand other person’s point of view while making your point and ensure that your team as a whole reaches a win-win situation. The group discussion is a test of your interactive skills and how good you are at communicating with other people. The objective of a group discussion is to mainly check your team playing skills because as a manager, you will be working in organizations with people

Skills Tested during Group Discussion

·Persuasive Skills ·Communication Skills ·General awareness and knowledge ·Power to influence others ·Listening skills ·Ability to withstand pressure ·Interpersonal Skills ·Logical Thinking ·Leadership and team Skills

And other Skills ·Comprehension of main idea and ability to generate ideas ·The rapport you strike ·Patience ·Assertion ·Accommodation ·Responsiveness ·Body language

Remember having qualities is one thing and demonstrating these during discussion is another

Handy Points to remember ·Knowledge is strength. ·Addressing Group as a Whole. ·If you are not sure about topic of discussion, it is better not to initiate. ·A GD is not a debating stage. ·Language use should be simple, direct and straightforward. ·Maintain rapport with fellow participants. ·Use positive body language. ·Communicate with each and every candidate present. ·While speaking don't keep looking at a single member.

Tips for Group Discussion

·A Good level of general awareness will come in handy. ·The wider your reading interests, better prepared you will be. ·Take time to think of what you are going to say. ·Work out various strategies to help you enter discussion. ·Starting discussion is considered to be good however it isn't that important; what is important is that you speak for a period long enough for you to be able to communicate your viewpoint. ·Be patient; don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. ·Don't take discussion personally. ·Be responsive to ideas from other people and very receptive and open-minded but don't allow others to change your own viewpoint. ·Employers are looking for a range of different skills and although you may think that leadership is key, and want to demonstrate this in a discussion, you need to be careful that you don't dominate discussion as this may come across as aggressive. ·Quality and NOT QUANTITY: Often, participants think that success in-group discussions depend on their decibel levels. Ironically, it’s opposite. ·Rounding discussion off - when about 2-3 minutes are left, someone in group must take initiative and summarize all issues discussed. Let it be you.

Remember six C's of effective Communication ·Clarity ·Completeness ·Conciseness ·Confidence ·Correctness ·Courtesy.

Here are some of GD topics of leading Institutes ·Managerial skills learnt in classroom can never match those learnt from experience. ·Democracy is hampering India’s progress. ·MBA in India is highly overrated. ·Religion is a private affair and should be of no concern for state. ·Decreasing defense expenditure and increasing social expenditure is need of hour. ·Women's empowerment will lead to social development. (IIM Kozhikode, March'99) ·Computers result in unemployment. (FMS Delhi, March'99) Are we raising a generation of burnt out children? (IIMB, Mar 97) ·Advertising is all glitter and little truth. (MICA, Apr '97) ·Is bureaucracy a hindrance to economic reforms in India? (IIMC, July '97) ·Filmmakers are indulging in cinematic Fortitution in name of folk culture. (IIML, Mar'97X Are we raising a generation of burnt out children? (IIMB, Mar 97) ·Under Indian parliamentary democracy it is impossible to ensure balanced regional development. (IIMC, Mar ‘97) ·Corruption is main outcome of democracy in India. (IIML, Mar '97) In an over-regulated society corruption is inevitable. (MICA, Apr '97) ·For poorer sections of society, a state-controlled economy is better than a liberalized economy. (IIMC-PGDCM, March'97) ·With IT replacing middle level management, software jobs are more lucrative than MBAs (S.P Jain, March'99) ·Do you think accent holds you back? Would you prefer everyone speaking uniformly? (XIM Bhubaneswar, March'99) ·Men resent women power at work place (NMIMS, March'99) Youth in India are becoming greedy by day (MICA, March'99) ·MBAs should be taxed at higher rates in country (IIMB April'99) ·Efficiency and corruption go hand in hand.

After Interview ·Each job interview should be a learning process. Learn from your mistakes - don't repeat them. ·Carry out a post-interview analysis immediately after interview while it is still fresh in your mind. ·Review tough questions and make notes for your next interview on areas where you might handle difficult questions better. ·Motivate yourself to approach your next interview in a positive frame of mind. ·Use experience gained at each interview to improve your technique and overall presentation

Seven Mantras for Success

·Communication Skills ·Influencing Abilities ·Problem Solving ·Creative Thinking ·Social Skills] ·Managing Finances

Tune your body posture

Try to adopt a posture that shows interest but still comes across as being relaxed. You can do this by sitting up straight in your chair at beginning of interview, with your back against back of chair. If you slouch or hang sideways in your chair, it might give impression that you are not that interested in job. However, sitting on edge of your chair can come across as being a little tense and might give impression that you feel uncomfortable. You can change your body posture a little during interview. For example, when someone says something it is good to turn a little with your shoulders towards this person and to lean forward a little. This shows an interest in what other person is saying. You can emphasize this by tilting your head a little. It is also important to pay attention to posture of your interview partners. In some cases you can achieve mutual tuning by adopting same posture as other person.

What to do with your hands? Just same as when you are giving a presentation, many people often regard their hands as obstacles during a job interview rather than a useful means of communication. That is why people often ask what to do with their hands. In a difficult situation we are often inclined to fold our arms across our body. This helps to give us a more secure feeling. During a job interview it is better not to do this, because folding your arms can be interpreted as a defensive move. It is better to let your hands lie loosely on your lap or place them on armrests of your chair. From these positions it's also easy to support your words with hand gestures.

Movements: a dynamic interview? Facial expressions play a great role; do not have a blank face. Hand movements can also help to liven up interview. The fact that you dare to make movements with your hands during an interview might indicate that you feel at ease quickly. In most cases it is better not to make too many hand movements at start of interview but add them slowly throughout interview. As regards this, pay attention to your interview partners as well: if they use their hands a lot to make things clear, you can definitely do this as well. When they don't make many movements, it is better if you don't either. Just same as with body posture, it is important to tune your movements to those of other person. Also pay attention to inadvertent movements that you may make sometimes due to nervousness. For example, shuffling with your feet or kicking against leg of a table can be very irritating for other people. Drumming with your fingers or clicking with a pen also won't be good for interview. So pay attention!

When should you look at whom?

During job interview it is important to look at all interview partners to an equal extent. By looking directly at other person we are giving them a sign of trust. By looking directly at people we are also in control of conversation. Looking directly at somebody or looking away actually serves as dots and commas in our spoken sentences. When one of committee members explains something or poses a question, keep looking at this person for as long as he or she is speaking. This shows that you're listening. While he is speaking he may also look at other people, but every time he wants to emphasize something he will look at you again. You can then nod to encourage him to continue talking. At end of his question, he will keep looking at you and then tilt his head up a little to invite you to give an answer. When you answer a question, you will look first at person who posed question, but while you answer you should take turns looking at other interview partners as well. You should direct yourself again to person who posed question when you want to emphasize something and at end of your answer.

Mirror Interviewer’s Body Language. The concept of mirroring is based on well-known human trait of like attracting like. People generally like people that appear to be similar to them. Therefore, by observing interviewers body language and reflecting this back at them they are likely to feel more at ease and friendly towards you.

Some practical hints

·Develop your Listening skills and do not ask could you please repeat question. ·Maintain comfortable eye contact. ·Do not interrupt interviewer. ·From time to time, ask for clarification of what has been said if you are not clear about it. ·Don't show emotions or prejudices on any contentious topic. ·Occasionally, re-phrase what has been said to show you have clearly understood question before attempting to answer. ·Keep an open mind on what is being said until interviewer has finished.

Most Likely Questions likely to be asked by interviewers

.Where did you come in your class in College? ·Why didn't you do better in your exams? ·Tell me about yourself? ·How would you describe yourself? ·Why do you want to leave your present job? ·What would your boss/colleagues say about you if asked? ·What motivates you most? ·What is your long term plans? ·Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? ·What is your greatest strength? ·Do you prefer working alone or with others? ·What is your greatest weakness? ·How do you cope with pressure? ·Give me an instance where you were under pressure? ·Why do you believe you are a suitable candidate for this job? ·What can you do for us that somebody else can't do?

The Secrets of Interview Success

·Express yourself with clarity and precision. ·Speak confidently, making sure to support your answers with relevant examples from your work ·Always relate your answers to job for which you are applying. ·Always present a positive face ·You should state and supply evidence that you enjoy your job; that you are enthusiastic and ambitious; and that you welcome challenge. ·It is important to tell truth in interviews. ·Convince them that your experience qualifies you for job on offer.

Do you have any questions? What to do when they put such a question to you?

Do ask only after they confirm your suitability and give you a chance. Here are some examples of questions to ask at your job interview. ·How would you describe a typical workday? ·What is best part of working at this company for you? ·What are typical responsibilities and duties of this job? ·What skills are considered most useful for success in this job? ·How many people work in this particular department? ·What areas of department do you think need improving? ·What is your company’s corporate culture? ·What are company’s values? ·What is company’s policy on transfers to other divisions or other offices? Don't ask about Don't ask about company benefits, such as health-care plans. Be sure to save your questions about salary, benefits, and