Hints to fare well at a Group Discussion
• Listen Well - First, you must not just talk, you should also listen. You must realize that other people also may have valid points to make. You should come across as a person who has an open mind and appreciates the valid points of others.
• Summarize - Try and summarize the discussion at the end. In the summary do not merely restate your point of view; also accommodate others viewpoints. If the group did not reach a conclusion, say so in your summary.
• Do Nots - You must carry people with you. So do not get emotional, shout, invade other people's private space. Do not bang your fist on the table.
• Reach Out- Do not address only one or two persons when speaking. Maintain eye contact with as many members of the group as possible.
• Traits - Some of the most important personality traits that a candidate should possess to do well at a GD are
- Team Player
- Reasoning Ability
- Leadership
- Flexibility
- Assertiveness
- Initiative
- Creativity/ Out of the box thinking
- Inspiring ability
- Listening
- Awareness
• Prepare Well For Group Discussions - If you are participating in a group discussion, it is important to make sure you're prepared before the discussion begins. While small groups may not be good for the distribution of information, group discussions are excellent for situations where members need to learn concepts or solve problems.
• Goals To Achieve During a Group Discussion - In most cases, the goal of a group discussion is to come up with ideas, which will allow the group to solve specific problems or learn a skill. The members must be able to summarize the primary points of the information they read, and they should be able to determine their own understanding of the material.
