The group discussion gives the employer an opportunity to assess and observe your behavior in action. Many companies participating in CA campus placements conduct GDs as the first round to shortlist candidates for PI. Hence, it is very much imperative for the candidates to be fully prepared to crack the GD and proceed to the next round. Here are a few strategies to successful crack Group Discussion:
Ensure you contribute to the group
Ensure you contribute to the conversation. Often candidates take up behaviors or actions that aren’t actively contributing to the group’s outcome. For example, taking lead of the group, standing up to make notes on a board. Be careful not to fall into the trap of regarding these behaviors as earning you some positive points. In some cases these behaviors can even lead to you being alienated by other group members.
Manage your body language
Ensure good body language and maintain relaxed eye contact. Make sure when you are listening to others you are attentive and demonstrate this through nods and gestures of agreement. If you feel uncomfortable in terms of how you are sitting, simply ‘mirroring’ other people will help. Smiling always helps too.
Manage conflicts effectively
Avoid confrontation and ensure you allow everyone a chance to speak. If someone is consistently rude and aggressive, do not resort to this behavior yourself. Assessors will pick this up. Avoid being forceful or speaking over anybody.
Be Natural
The best mantra is 'to be what you are'. Sailing through GDs successfully is an art too. Don't try to be artificial. Express your own views.
Must Speak
A key principle of participating in a GD is that you must speak. Always carry a piece of paper and a pen along with you in whenever you go for GD preparation and use them unless it is not allowed to do. Before you start speaking, think through the major issues in the topic in the first two minutes. Start speaking only when you have understood and analyzed the topic.
Manage your time
Keeping a check on the time will earn you points. Suggesting that you will keep a check on the time and providing regular updates throughout the discussion will also work well. However, if you commit to this responsibility then make sure you maintain that check. There is nothing worse than the session running out of time when you have appointed yourself as time-keeper.
Include others
Keep an eye out for those who do not say anything and take the opportunity to ask them for their opinions. This will gain you both assessors’ appreciation and other group member’s gratitude.
Ensure you are a team player
More often than not, the group discussion exercises require coming to an agreement on a particular issue. For example, you may be given individual proposals and asked to agree on two of these as a group. In these situations, remember you do not always have to get your ideas accepted. Try to do what is better for the company or organization as presented in the exercise, rather than what you think might benefit you. Building consensus is given importance in most organizations 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.
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