Group Discussions
--> Posted on 2009-08-06 09:39:44 ByIntroduction
Many companies organise a GD to assess the communication skills of a candidate. The idea is to observe how a person speaks, what he speaks, his level of confidence, his ability to listen and convince others, and his behaviour towards colleagues. These qualities are essential for any reason to work in an organisation. GD tests your presence of mind, the depth of your knowledge, your communication skills and your ability to argue logically. It sets apart the boys from men and girls from women.
Process
In a typical GD, there are usually 7-12 people who discuss a topic for about 15 to 25 minutes. There are no specific instructions on how the topic should be discussed, who should speak first or how the group should behave. The evaluators keep observing silently each student from a distance and make notes with which the final evaluation is done. Sometimes if there is a fish market, the evaluators may make it a guided discussion or turn-wise discussion.
Typically there will be 7 to 9 participants per GD and allots 20-25 minutes per GD .It’s a GD based on a case analysis , with each case being less than one page long About 5 minutes are allocated for preparing before the GD actually stats and 5 minutes after the GD for giving a written summary. The predominant focus is on analytical skills. And everyone gets a chance to speak his/her mind.
The GD topic are pretty general and broad-based and concern something that any student can (should be able to) discuss ; these require no special technical knowledge, only an overall understanding of the issues involved . also, given the duration , each student cannot hope to get more than 1 to 1 ½ minutes in all within which to make an impression . Also , no students ever gets to speak at a stretch even for 1 to 1 ½ minutes typically , as you are making your point, somebody else intervenes and stars adding his/ he points . hence, you can expect, provides you develop the skill of entering discussions when you need to , not more than 40-45 seconds in a stretch , this , then is the challenge – how to get an opportunity to speak an when you get it , how to effectively communicate your thoughts within through within this short time .
Group Discussion Skills
1. Communication Abilities
The ability to communicate effectively your viewpoint is a key ingredient to being successful. To emphasis is on effectiveness –how well the others have understand your point, which is determinates by the clarity of the thoughts, conciseness and delivery. Remember, your goal is to explain, not confuse further. So the thumb rule should be to KISS (Keep it Simple, Short and Sweet).
2. Team skills
They are all about managing people – either one-to-one or increasing, in a team setting. Hence, most companies are interested in knowing how well you can perform various team roles –a team player (cog in the wheel0, a mediator or a leader. A display of fair play, sharing of responsibility and authority, appreciation of other’s contribution, empathy and confidence- building can go a long way in establishing your identity as a valuable team-player
3. Analytical Skills
How quickly, clearly and dispassionately you can analyse a given situation is integral to the ultimate resolution of any problem/situation. Remember, decisiveness is an extremely valuable trail even in personal life, more so in professional life. However it shouldn’t be taken to be license for indulging in reckless, rash thinking.
4. Awareness/General Knowledge
A through knowledge of your political, social, economical, business and other environment is a pre –requisite for success in any walk of life. A would-be manager needs this knowledge to a greater degree because these can have a great bearing on the business he is managing.
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