To improve your GD Skills, check out the employee2owner Workshop On Communication and Workshop On Effective Comunication/Interpersonal Skills. Other Workshops |
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employee2owner
Preparing for Group Discussion
Group discussion or 'GD' as it is popularly known in the ‘job market jargon', is being increasingly
used as a selection tool for its adeptness to bring out the leadership and communication qualities
of a candidate in a real life situation. Other selection tools and techniques like tests and interviews
provide good data about a candidate but fail to test him and his conduct in a group situation. It is
important to ascertain inter-personal qualities of an individual, as teamwork is an integral part of
the work profile in most jobs.
- When you go for an interview you might find yourself part of a of about 8 to 10 candidates
who form a discussion group.
- The group is given a specific situation to analyse or a topic to discuss.
- They group may be given a case study and asked to come out with a solution for a problem
- There is a time limit for the session, which is normally twenty five to forty minutes.
Preparation
Preparing for GD like preparing for a GK test is not some thing you can do in a day or even a month.
GD reflects the inherent qualities of an individual and one has to commit to perpetual overall
improvement of personality and character. Yet appearing for an interview or GD unprepared may
not be a good idea. The best way to be always prepared for GD is to read, read, read and read as
much as you can and then some more. The other thing you ought to do is to join as many
discussion groups as you can and participate in discussions.
Reading
Anyone who has attended even one of my sessions or attended my class knows the emphasis we
at employee2owner place on reading. This is the first and the most crucial step in preparation for
anything let alone GD. In our leadership class we often use the Charles Jones quote “leaders are
readers” and readers are leaders.
What you will be five years from now will depend on two things: the company you keep and the
books you read. Leadership is a packet of skills and one of the ingredients of these skills is
intellectual curiosity. If you do not have that curiosity you lack one major ingredient of being a
leader. Successful people are readers and constantly in search of more information.
Learning is a continuous process and you must commit yourself to a life long pursuit of excellence.
There are so many things that the conventional education system does not teach you. You need to
always be reading a good book. Some books need to be read many times over.
While you should read on a variety of subjects in general but when you go for your GD make sure
you are aware of the topics that are generally set as topics of the discussion. You should not only
read for data but also for thought. You should try and know different opinions on the same topic so
as not to take too rigid or parochial a stance on any subject.
Discussion Groups
It is a good idea to create an informal GD group and meet regularly to discuss topics and exchange
ideas. If possible become a member of many such groups so that you acquire the skill to discuss
with strangers.
Participating in discussions in such groups is the best way to prepare. It is important to express
your thoughts well and to be able to do that needs practice- lots of practice. You will see that your
performance gets better and better as you participate in these mock discussions. You will not feel
awkward on the day of the interview when you are asked to participate or even to lead the
discussion.
employee2owner