The Group Discussion

Linux – its inception, its Growth and its Future is the living proof for group/forum discussion:

In 1991, a Finnish university student named Linus Torvalds was unhappy with Microsoft DOS and Windows 3.1, but really liked the UNIX systems he used at school. Unfortunately, UNIX was not cheaply available for home use, so he decided to write his own, free version.

People on the Internet helped, and it has grown amazingly since.

What's With the Penguin???

At one point, people started discussing what Linux's mascot should be.

Linus likes penguins a lot, and suggested it. A fellow named Larry Ewing drew "Tux The Penguin," and he's been the mascot since!

The Group Discussion

Objective

Let’s start from the basic. One needs to know what one's objective in the group is. A good definition of your objective is - to be noticed to have contributed meaningfully in an attempt to help the group reach the right consensus. What

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does this essentially mean?

1) The first implication is that you should be noticed by the panel. Merely making a meaningful contribution and helping the group arrive at a consensus is not enough. You have to be seen by the evaluating panel to have made the meaningful contribution. What does that mean in practice?

 You must ensure that the group hears you. If the group hears you, so will the evaluator. That does not mean that you shout at the top of your voice and be noticed for the wrong reasons.

 You have to be assertive. If you are not a very assertive person, you will have to simply learn to be assertive for those 15 minutes. Remember, assertiveness does not mean being bull-headed or being arrogant.

 And most importantly, you have to make your chances. Many group discussion participants often complain that they did not get a chance to speak. The fact is that in no group discussion will you get a chance to speak. There is nothing more unacceptable in a GD than keeping one's mouth shut or just murmuring things which are inaudible.

 Participate in as many practice GDs as possible before you attend the actual GD. There is nothing like practice to help you overcome the fear of talking in a GD.

2) The second important implication is that making just any sort of contribution is not enough. Your contribution has to be meaningful. A meaningful contribution suggests that

 You have a good knowledge base

 You are able to put forth your arguments logically and are a good communicator.

 The quality of what you said is more valuable than the quantity. There is this myth amongst many group discussion participants that the way to succeed in a group discussion is by speaking loudly and at great length. One could not be more wrong. You must have meat in your arguments.

Therefore, think things through carefully. --------" Always enter the room with a piece of paper and a pen. In the first two minutes jot down as many ideas as you can." When you jot down points, keep these pointers in mind. If it is a topic where you are expected to take a stand, say for example, "Should India sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty?" note down points for both sides of the argument. It will be useful on two counts -

 One, if you do not start the GD and are not amongst the first five speakers and find that everyone in the group is talking for the topic, then it makes sense to take the

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alternate approach and oppose the topic even if you initially intended to talk for the topic.

 Second, it helps to have a knowledge of how group members who take a stand diametrically opposite to yours will put forth their argument and to be prepared with counter arguments.

3. Everybody else will state the obvious. So highlight some points that are not obvious. The different perspective that you bring to the group will be highly appreciated by the panel. Some pointers on being relevant while having a different perspective are:

 Be careful that the "something different" you state is still relevant to the topic being debated.

 Can you take the group ahead if it is stuck at one point?

 Can you take it in a fresh and more relevant direction? 4. The last implication is that you must be clearly seen to be attempting to build a consensus.

 Gaining support or influencing colleagues is the mantra adopted by many a successful Business Leaders.

 Nobody expects a group of ten intelligent, assertive people, all with different points of view on a controversial subject to actually achieve a consensus. But what matters is "Did you make attempts to build a consensus?"

 The reason why an attempt to build a consensus is important is because in most work situations you will have to work with people in a team, accept joint responsibilities and take decisions as a group.

 You must demonstrate the fact that you are capable and inclined to work as part of a team.

Organize your thinking for a Group Discussion Interview Pick any topic of current interest and use a framework so that it helps organize your thinking: Organize the facts about the topic in your head Think about 3 things that are positive about the topic Think about 3 things that are negative about the topic Think about what is your opinion about the topic; try to have a balanced view Have a summary of your point of view ready

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Rules for Group Discussion There are no fixed rules for Group Discussion Interviews. The following are some tips and guidelines to observe. Participation is a must. Now that must be obvious. Guidelines say that you should try to make 3 -4 relevant points. So aim for four relevant points.

You need to stand-out in the Group Interview. Do not shout. Try to come out as balanced and mature. You need to grab the chance to speak whenever you get it. Some points to remember:

 Be assertive and make your points, while listening to others.

 Come across as a team player and engaging everyone in the discussion.

 Try to add value to the discussion, and not speak for the sake of speaking.

 Look for breaks and lulls in the discussion to put your ideas across.

The Importance of Introductions in the Group Discussion Listen very carefully to names and their introductions. You could have to remember the names of more than five to six people. Listen very carefully to the agenda and the topic of the discussion. Also listen to the time allotted in the group discussion. Try to position yourself so that you are able to make eye contact with all the members of the Group Discussion.

Displaying Teamwork and Leadership in a Group Discussion Interview You should be aware of in your group discussion if you are displaying Teamwork and Leadership. Teamwork

 Listening to others

 Relating your ideas to what others are saying, or are your points totally unrelated

 Not being too aggressive in presenting your ideas

 How you handle conflict in the discussion

 Do you work towards a final solution for the group

Leadership

 Are you able to convince other group members about your train of thought

 Are you able to influence others

 Does the discussion focus around topics that you have raised.

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Don’ts in a Group Discussion Interview

 Never get drawn into an argument with any of the Group discussion members even if you disagree with them.

 Don’t be overly cynical or opinionated but be prepared to state your arguments logically.

 Look out for body language of the Group Discussion Members. Also watch out for signals that you may be sending by your body language (rolling your eyes , not being attentive when others are speaking) . Especially watch out if someone is turning away from you as this is a negative sign.

 Do not ramble on and on, wrap up your point quickly.

 Do not speak over someone else. Let them finish their point.

 Do not try to stutter and stammer. (In case of not being confident on the subject , You can write down your points in a piece of paper before you speak. Use this as a backup / substitute and avoid if not a necessity.)

Tips on What you are evaluated for Group Discussion is a process where exchange of ideas and opinions are debated upon. This process is mostly used for selecting candidates for admission to management schools basically for MBA. A typical GD comprises of a small group of candidates. Each group is then given a topic for discussion. The topic can be general or specific. Example: Kashmir Conflict or just a phrase saying "Where there's a will there's a way". There are different types of GD’s: 1) Topic based 2) Case Study based Topic-Based Group Discussions are further divided into: 1) Knowledge Based Topics 2) Abstract Topics 3) Controversial Topics TOPIC BASED STUDY: Elaborating on each, let’s read what each type of topic-based Group Discussion is all about: 1) Knowledge Based Topics: Under this kind of group discussion, you require in depth information about the topic been given to you. 1) You should be able to support it with facts and figures 2) Your information should be substantial. Examples: a) Unique Identification Number b) Cold War

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c) Is terrorism the price we have to pay for democracy? d) Globalization and Privatization What is expected from the candidate. 1) Knowledge in the subject 2) Ability to adapt to situations – by listening to others and thereby adding value to the discussion using common sense ( even if the subject knowledge is not strong) 3) Not beating around the bush , but being precise and contributing more points. 4) Being articulate and ability to convey ideas. 2) Abstract Topics: Under this type of a group discussion, the panelist gives a topic which is absolutely out of the box. Abstract topics are more about intangible things. These topics test your creativity and also to some extent your thinking ability. Such topics can be interpreted in different ways by the candidates. In such topics, your comprehension skills and communication skills are judged. Example: 1) A Teardrop on my Guitar 2) Where there’s a will there’s away 3) 26 Alphabets 4) Infinite Numbers Such topics do not require facts or figures but simply judge your imagination and how well you can associate it with you day to day life. What is expected from the candidate. 1) Ability to visualize and also convey out of the box thinking skills 2) Logical Reasoning abilities to convey even vague ideas. 3) Very open to newer ideas and not having a strong preconceived mindset 4) This is a GD looking out for visionaries/ Leaders. People who can see the invisible. The key to excel in this kind of discussions is “ let your creativity flow” 5) 3) Controversial Topics Such topics can lead to an argument, they’re argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate controversy and at the same time, judge the analytical skills of the participant to see if he/ she can think rationally, without any bias and arrive at a harmonious conclusion. Such topics are also given by the panelists so that they can judge the maturity level of the students and they don’t start screaming at other candidates., If, as a student, you are not in favour of what the other candidate is saying, then you should be smart enough to put across your point candidly without / bashing the speaker. Example: 1) Reservation should be removed

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2) Quota System should be abolished 3) Maintaining brotherhood is a social obligation 4) Beauty Pageants give a wrong impact on the women of India What is expected from the candidate. 1) Knowledge in the subject 2) Panel is keenly looking for candidates with strong team instincts. 3) Don’t get drawn into a conflict or incite any one to get into a argument. 4) One of the best ways in such a discussion is to play a balanced role by having concrete points For and against the topic. (this shows that you are knowledgeable and also are open to form a decision only after analyzing the pros and cons. ( TIP : Start by the fact that there are two sides of a coin and every aspect has its pluses and minuses. The pluses are ……. And the negatives are …….. ---- Do this if you are starting the topic and also can contribute strong points.) 5) How much ever, you are compelled to take sides , Refrain from taking sides with individuals but you can agree and disagree with ideas based on your logical explanation to the same.

Job Role Based Group Discussions Area of Expertise for which GD is being conducted Expectations Dos and Don’ts Sales / Marketing Hard work, Target Oriented, Self Motivation, activity focused. Assertive  Be passionate, Be assertive (NOT AGGRESSIVE),  If you have points in favor of your position use them to substantiate the same.  Don’t be opinionated just for the sake of argument, Refrain from taking positions that might hurt Religious, Racial sentiments, BE HONEST  Remember Names of participants Finance LOGICAL Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, Follow rules, Good with numbers  The topics given will allow you scope to show your reasoning prowess.  Think out of the box. Stick to fundamentals / basics if the topic so demands. Operations Resource planning  Focus on creative ideas to come out with solutions on the issue at hand.

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abilities in constrains, Logical reasoning, strong team spirit  Usually the topics will resolve around handling issues or scarcity of resources.  Don’t take sides too soon before you analyze the topic, Don’t get drawn in conflicts HR Reasoning skills, Situation handling, Looking for the invisible  As people who draw the policies of the organization,  The candidate ought to know how to identify loopholes in a policy. But it has to be presented in a form that one is law abiding.  The topic given might want you to play with ethics and morals  Stick to Being Ethical but also display your reasoning to bring about solutions to loopholes.  Don’t be opinionated too early and don’t take sides. Remember Names of participants

All said and Done, In case you are without any ideas with respect to the topic given,  Put on your listening cap, Listen to a few speak  Put on your thinking cap, Think about the topic and use the clues given by the other speakers  After all any Topic just involves common sense and we are sure YOU ARE BLESSED WITH INTELLIGENCE ,  Communicate the same to the group in your language but WITH PASSION  DO remember o If you don’t speak you don’t get selected o By speaking – YOU HAVE A CHANCE ! Just SPEAK OUT ! The JOB IS YOURS !

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Facing Interviews:

The success of your career depends a lot on how you conduct your interviews. The better your interviews, the better will be your chances to get hired. The minutes you spend in your interview are probably some of the most important moments in your career.

It is often noticed that people are severely under-prepared for interviews. Here are a few pointers gleaned over years of experience to help you prepare better for the interviews.

Common Questions

The interviewer, as he/she is conducting the interview, tries to assess any one of the three things: Are you able enough to do the job? Do you have the willingness to do the job? And how well will you fit in with the organization? Your answers should reflect that you can handle the job being offered. While every interview will vary, there are certain standard questions you may encounter. One typical opener is, tell me about yourself. They may ask what you think of their company or people. They might want to know what interests you about the job; if you can handle the stress or workload. Another common question is what are your strengths and weaknesses? Almost everyone will ask why you’re leaving your current job. It is wise to have a general answer prepared for questions of this type. It is also a good idea to know something about the company before you go in. Look for material at the library, check their annual report, or discreetly ask around in the industry. This can help you give intelligent answers during the interview, or ask some important questions of your own.

Demeanor

Many surveys have found that demeanor is the most influential factor in the hiring decision; in some cases, it even ranks ahead of experience. Therefore, making a good impression is crucial. Here are some tips: first, be friendly and courteous to everyone you encounter, starting with the receptionist who greets you. When you enter the office, discreetly look around for possible conversation openers. Maybe you share a common interest. During the interview, it is vital to show enthusiasm. Be responsive, attentive, and remember to smile. Even if you tend to be shy, or are just a bit nervous, do your best to radiate confidence. Sit up straight, don’t fidget, and make eye contact periodically throughout the interview. Keep your answers fairly brief. And, allow some time for the interviewer to talk too. Always end the interview on a positive note. Thank the interviewer for his/her time, and say you’ve enjoyed meeting with them. If you want the job, by all means, let them know.

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Grooming

Along with the way you’re dressed, personality grooming is essential to leave a pleasing impression and landing the job you want. Your hair should look neat and tidy, and if you happen to color it, make sure the colour looks natural. While a hint of cologne or powder is okay, never make the mistake of applying too much of it. The room you might be interviewed in might be a small one, hence go easy on the cologne. Take care of your skin, and do your best to promote a healthy complexion. This is a much-neglected aspect of grooming, especially when it comes to men. Few men realize the importance of maintaining their facial appearance. Your interviewer will notice it, and also the confidence you feel because of the same will come shining through. Finally, do get a good night’s sleep. It will help you look fresh and stay alert.

Attire

Like it or not, your interviewer will judge you by the way you dress. It’s important that you look professional and well groomed. For the majority of interviews, a business suit is recommended. Be sure your suit is clean, well ironed and fits properly. Walking in wearing jeans gives the impression that you don’t take the interview very seriously. When in doubt, dress on the conservative side.

A Few Don’ts

Just as there’s a plenty of advice on what you should do regarding interviews, there are also many things you should not do. The following is a list of interview don’ts: First of all, don’t be late. Get good directions, and allow adequate time to reach your destination. Never take anyone with you to an interview; if someone must go along, have them wait outside the building. Don’t smoke during the meeting, even if your interviewer does. Never drink alcohol, even at a lunch interview, where others are drinking. It is also a bad idea to chew a gum, or ask to use the interviewer’s phone. Showing confidence is a positive trait, but you don’t want to come across as egotistic. Don’t lie about your background or accomplishments. On the other hand, never volunteer any negative information about yourself. Don’t criticize your former boss or employer, no matter how bad you might think they were. It won’t win you any points. Never tell jokes, or use off-color language. And whatever you do, don’t get into an argument with the interviewer.

Keeping all these tips and pointers in mind should stand you in good stead at these important turning points in your career. Be Prepared!