A group discussion, also commonly referred to as a GD, has recently become a quintessential criterion through which the candidates’ or the students’ abilities, personality, skill set, and expertise are assessed and analyzed through their responses, ideas, arguments, language, communication, and organizational skills after which they are considered as eligible or otherwise for a post in an enterprise or a seat in an academic institute. A group discussion is a controlled situation wherein a particular topic is given to a group of prospective candidates which they have to discuss and develop their ideas, examples, and opinions on. Here are a few guidelines, that you should follow as a participant in a group discussion so as to be noticed as a knowledgeable and efficient candidate.
1. Ensure visibly smart and correct body language:
Sit straight and present yourself and your ideas in a composed manner. Maintain steady eye contact, and gesticulate wherever necessary. Your body language and your opinions should be in sync in terms of exuding confidence. Maintain an assertive tone and a pitch and volume that is perfectly audible (that is not too loud or soft). You must remember that you are evaluated on the basis of the way you carry yourself and articulate your thoughts. Hence, retain an upright posture and a confidently overt body language.
2. Do not cut others while they are speaking:
Employers and academics are always on the lookout for well-behaved candidates. Give others a fair chance to articulate their viewpoint and if you wish to add a certain point to their viewpoint or express your own views, take permission of your interjection and then begin your argument. Do not be aggressive or timid; take a middle ground with a certain grace, humility, and poise in terms of your ideas and your expression.
3. Be crisp, concise, and creative:
Do not speak too much. It is a group discussion and every participant deserves a fair chance to speak. It is not just your communication abilities that are assessed, your ability to listen and build upon others’ opinions is equally essential. Secondly, do not digress from the topic. Ensure that all your ideas and arguments are in relation to the theme provided and contribute to the discussion. Lastly, do not give typical responses and examples in the discussion. Adopt a creative approach and back your arguments up with valid and interesting examples and instances. Hence, be direct, innovative, and attempt at putting forth as much information in perfect coherence.
4. Prepare well:
Do your research, before you go for the group discussion round. Read up on the prospective topics from various fields that might be relevant. Brush up your general knowledge and have certain informal yet effective discussions with your peers and mates. Practice will make you more confident and will train you to build and develop your points well without digressing, reiterating, or contradicting your own ideas.
5. Think analytically and in an organized manner:
It is mandatory to inculcate yourself with the habit of thinking logically and organizing your thought and thus keeping your ideas and viewpoints linked together. If you believe that you have a certain point which you would want to put forth, mold it to develop a connection or contradiction to a fellow speaker and project your logical and organizational skills. Furthermore, you must also keep an open mind and accept that viewpoints are subjective in nature and each individual possesses his or her own way of thinking and understanding. Hence, be professional in your approach and attempt at being visibly recognized by executing the arguments well. This constitutes certain tricks and instructions that you must cater to before you head in for a group discussion.
