Manav Rachna Educational Institutions

Career Development Centre

Group Discussions

Prepared by: CDC

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Contents

Introduction

Opening the Group Discussion

Closing the Group Discussion

Types of GD’s

Qualities and Skills Tested in a GD

Roles played during a GD

Do’s and Don’ts of a GD

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Introduction

Group discussion is a modern selection-testing tool like interviews. It helps the recruiters find out the
leadership qualities, abilities and group behavior of a candidate within the limited time frame

GDs have become an integral part of most selection processes and admission procedure to any
reputed professional institution today

It is well known that GDs help in short listing the candidates for the final interview, so it is necessary
for the prospective candidates to not only know the Dos and Don’ts but also thoroughly understand
the procedure` and the ways of participating at group discussions effectively

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Opening the Group Discussion

It has been observed that often candidate are in hurry to open up group discussion. It
happens so as they think that the one who succeeds in opening the discussion surely gets
selected. It is a mere misconception. The fact is, you should think of opening the discussion
when you have enough points to throw in

Tips for Good Opening

 Open the GD only if you are sure about the sensibility of the content
 Maintain Eye contact with other participants
 Open the GD with greetings
 Do not sound arrogant and proud to others
 Be humble, polite and firm
 Be the torch bearer of GD
 Respect the other participants and acknowledge their presence

Closing the Group Discussion

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Great is the art of beginning but greater is the art of ending. Being a participant you should
see that a GD does not end abruptly. One of the hallmarks of a good discussion is smooth
ending and one must be able to envision the key points

Tips for Good Ending

 Keep jotting down the points being discussed

 You can try to reach some kind of consensus
 For certain topics or issues, reaching at consensus may not be possible. However if
you keep attempting towards striking a cord of unanimity, it unmistakably reveals
that you are capable at or inclined to working as a team player
 Do not volunteer to conclude the GD
 If chosen to summarize the GD ensure that you include everybody’s points

Types of GD’s

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GD on a topic
GD on a topic is conducted mostly for admissions for higher studies and technical blocks.
Such GDs are somewhat quizzical to handle as you need to decide upon which aspects are to
be discussed within the stipulated time frame.

Tips for approaching a GD

 Greet all the participants by saying “Good Morning Everybody”

 State the topic
 Pick up the keywords and discrete/define/interpret them
 State the related issues or concepts involved
 See to it that enough light is thrown on the topic
 Do not confront
 Make notes
 When speaking or explaining something, ask the listeners if they are following you
 Try to put yourself in other person’s shoes
 Ask yourself do I complicate the information with too much detail?
 Maintain right kind of articulation, accent, pitch and inflection

GD on a case study
Wherever analytical and decision making abilities are required to be examined, Case studies
are given for discussion.

Guidelines for GD on case study

 Read the case carefully

 If you open up the GD, State the case briefly and talk about issues involved.
 Interrupt the situation for different view points
 Workout alternative solutions for the problems, it can be done by brainstorming.
 Arrive at a solution which can help both men and organization.
 You should ponder over the implementation plan
 Remember and also highlight the fact that there cannot be a perfect solution.

Qualities and Skills Tested in a GD

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During GD some of your skills and qualities are being tested by evaluators on the panel on
spot. Some of the key attributes screened through GDs are:

 Depth of subject knowledge

 Group behavior
 Leadership qualities
 Communication skills
 Use of appropriate verbal and non-verbal language
 Effective listening
 Level of confidence
 Clarity of expression

Roles played during a GD

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Initiator

You start the GD only when you are sure of starting it sensibly. Do not forget to greet
everyone when you start the GD

Contributor

You give valuable inputs time to time and make it point to speak

Channelizer

You bring the discussion back on track if there is a deviation from the main topic

Loan Taker

If you are not familiar with the topic then you can borrow points from others and present it
sensibly in your own language

Confrontationist

You confront others with statements like “I do not agree with you”, “Can you prove it?”,
“Your point is ridiculous” etc.*

Moderator

You try to give others a chance to speak. You request the group for one discussion etc.

Concluder

You conclude only when invited by the group to conclude. While concluding you present the
team’s point of view and not yours

Roles highlighted in Red should be avoided

Do’s and Don’ts

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 Maintain a meaningful eye contact with all the participants
 Maintain a smiling and pleasant disposition
 Avoid looking at the floor or ceiling as it communicates disinterest
 Don’t sprawl or slouch in your chair
 Don’t crack the knuckle bones nor chew your nails
 Don’t blink your eyes while listening to others
 Don’t your eyebrows while others speak
 Avoid showing a disapproving expression
 Don’t ignore any of the group members
 Avoid raising your fingers
 Make your speaking style lively and interesting
 Don’t place your hand on back of your chair
 Avoid sitting with a steeple posture
 Avoid overt gestures
 Don’t speak in a monotone
 Reveal your enthusiasm and interest
 Bring variations in your pitch patterns
 Do not confront even if you have a different point of view

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