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Face the crucial GD round with confidence!
The GD round is an important part of most interview sessions, since it helps the interviewer assess several important qualities expected from a quality employee. With entrance exams like CAT, B-School entrances and the like focussing on the GD round as a tool to assess brilliant student material for premier institutes, the Group Discussion Round is certainly the focal point for all candidates, students and potential employees alike.
A typical GD round has 5-6 candidates who are combined into groups and each group is allotted a topic to discuss. Often, the topics are current affairs or debatable topics, aimed to test the verbal and non-verbal communication skills and knowledge of current affairs, of the candidates. Candidates have to take a stand, substantiate their views with examples from the current political scenario leading to a logical conclusion.
As a candidate logically puts forth his views with conviction and clarity, the interviewers most certainly notice his communication skills, his interaction with the other group-members and also his knowledge concerning current affairs and the important events of recent times. A GD round also allows the interviewers to assess another prime quality of quality candidate:leadership skills. Since this round consists of group-interactions, some candidates monopolise/dominate naturally. For instance, a candidate could propel the group to plan out the sequence of who must speak when and the time limit allotted to each candidate. In doing so, he needs to obtain the cooperation and approval of his fellow members of the group. This is exactly what the leader does in a team.
However, a candidate must bear in mind that a thin line demarcates authoritarianism and exhibition of effective leadership skills. Being obstinate with one’s views with no room for flexibility can be a negative trait, while the other extreme of lacking a strong stand can be a major handicap. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain a cheerful and friendly countenance, while being effective and courageous in making a mark for yourself in GD sessions. The interviewers generally rate you in your GD session, on the basis of these qualities:
• Innovativeness: Novelty in your approach
• Behavioural Skills: Your temperament and approach
• Communication: Persuasive non-verbal and verbal skills
• Quality of Content: Knowledge, information conveyed in your speech
• Logical Ability: Ability to involve the entire group in sharing your point of view, at the end of your talk
• Leadership: Your interaction and demeanour with the other team members
While talking in a GD session, make sure you take two turns, in the entire time allotted. Firstly, put forth the required information and the second time around reiterate your point of view, besides making a reference to valid points of other group members. Do not adopt a fake accent or take long pauses in between, as this can convey the impression of not possessing individuality and knowledge. Avoid being excessively repetitive or fickle in your approach.
More importantly, never make personal remarks or display emotions. Drive out subjectivity and maintain an objective demeanour and address the entire group with your ideas. Effective speaking skills rich in vocabulary, eye-contact and pleasing body language and a knowledgeable expression of points besides a friendly and composed exterior can make the GD round a cake-walk for you!
PREETI RAGHUNATH
faqs@nkonline.com
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