Group Discussion

Group Discussion or GD is a type of discussion that involves people sharing ideas or activities. People in the group discussion relate to one basic idea. Based on that idea, everyone in the group represents his/her perspective.GD is a discussion that tests the candidate's skills, such as leadership skills, communication skills, social skills and behaviour, politeness, teamwork, listening ability, General awareness, confidence, problem-solving skills, etc.

The Group Discussion is generally the next level after the entrance exam to pursue a professional degree. In the case of recruitments, Group Discussion can be the starting or at the end, depending on different companies or organizations.It is not fixed that the group discussion is always performed around the table. People can sit in any arrangement, but everyone should be able to see every face. It is not only the usual discussion, but it is also a discussion with knowledge and facts.

Group Discussions can be divided into 4 types:

• 1. Factual group discussions: These group discussions are about practical things and judge how a candidate processes information and analyses day-to-day topics or socio-economic issues.
• 2. Opinion-based group discussions: These group discussions test how candidates put forward their opinions and views. These group discussions are less about facts and more about opinions.
• 3. Case study-based group discussions: These group discussions simulate real-life situations. The panellists give the group the details of a hypothetical situation and then the group must resolve the situation together.
• 4. Abstract group discussions: These group discussions are about intangible topics. In these, the interviewers observe if a candidate can handle the given topic with lateral thinking and creativity.

The evaluation of participants is based on two kinds:

Individual Qualities and Group Skills

Which are further classified into,

Subject knowledge

The first thing that employers test is your expertise in the role's subject area. For example, if you apply for a sales position, the employers expect you to have in-depth knowledge of their products and sales process.

Creativity/originality

Some jobs require innovative ideas and out-of-the-box solutions. In such cases, the panellists may employ group activities to check your creativity and originality of ideas in a group.

Voice

Communication skills include tone, volume and pitch control and your style of delivery. This skill is essential in customer-facing roles and in regular interaction with your peers and seniors. Employers check for an assertive approach, authoritative voice, clarity in speech and audible tone in a typical group discussion.

Body language

In a workplace, your body language speaks volumes about your actions and temperament. So, during a group discussion, panellists judge your hand gestures and head movements along with the expressions on your face. They also give high ratings for a professional outlook and a confident, straight posture.

Fluency

Fluency in speech is a critical skill for sales jobs or customer service roles. Speaking with effective pauses without stuttering or stammering can captivate an audience and make them listen carefully. That is why many employers test this ability simultaneously while checking your speech.

Initiative

Taking initiative is a mark of excellent leadership skills. In the beginning, panel members see if you try to start the conversation and establish its flow. If you are unable to do that, they also check if you wait for the right moment and take that chance to introduce your idea in a better way. Supporting your speech with statistics and some famous quotes also imprints a positive image on the listeners and interviewers.

Leadership

The panellists usually see if you start with your own viewpoint or ask others for their opinions. Helping others understand the subject matter and considering their perspectives proves your leadership acumen. Panellists also give bonus points if you can capitalise on other's viewpoints, adjust the conversation's flow, and direct it towards actionable decisions.

Active listening

Active listening is an important skill for managerial positions or customer service roles. In a typical group, all members try to stress their points to get some limelight. So, employers usually observe those who listen to their peers without interruption. Letting them speak by giving a response and mentioning their views when you conclude the discussion shows them that you are an active listener.

When going to a GD,

• a) A person's sense of dressing speaks a lot
• b) Do not go on a crop top and jeans and T-shirt trail when going for a Group Discussion
• c) Try to open the GD. Do not be disheartened if you cannot as someone else got the chance, but if you do, it is a big plus point
• d) Keep calm and relax, maintain eye contact with everyone
• e) Give others a chance to speak, do not interrupt someone is speaking, wait for your turn to present your arguments
• f) Be polite, use simple language to convey your thoughts, do not be dominating
• g) Sometimes, it is easy to get carried away and we just end up speaking nonsense. Try to refrain from that, do not keep going just so that you can get extra time