Insider tips to Ace The Group Discussion Round During Campus Recruitment

Imagine a group discussion where you are over speaking, giving false statistics, or interrupting others. What would it be like? Definitely not less than a nightmare, in my opinion! Usually, a group discussion or GD round is conducted after the aptitude test, which is crucial for recruitment processes and contributes to your candidature and professional persona if done correctly. But how? This article is dedicated to briefing you about the do’s and don’ts of group discussion.

One of the most acceptable ways to enhance your communication skills, specifically public speaking, is to involve in group discussions. But, most job-seekers, especially introverts, freeze at the thought of having a group discussion. The journey will be easier if you know the dos and don’ts.

Do’s of Participating in a Group Discussion

A successful group discussion must be effective and allow participants to build a strong basis, create ideas, and hear everyone. The facilitation must be public-driven, and never forget to respect the people! You will learn a lot. Another value-added advantage is that you can understand the importance of teamwork.

1. Listen to Understand, Not to Respond.

One of the primary manners of communication begins here – empathic or active listening. That’s how people feel respected and appreciated. Discussions are not arguments, and neither you’re contesting for Oscar awards. Let them speak, try to understand their viewpoints, and then respond. The more you grasp, the better your outcome will be. Listening is an art, and it intensifies your sense of empathy. Allow yourself to build strong relationships with others.

2. Accept Disagreements

Learn to welcome disagreements, whether in personal life or active discussions for the campus recruitments. Don’t take it personally. The person sitting in front of you is not your enemy, and neither he has anything to do with you. Be respectful and polite. Try to understand their counterargument. You can ask questions and express appreciation towards their criticism. Stay calm and stick to the ultimate motto of the group discussion, that is, develop a better understanding of the topic. It’s incredibly imperative to recognize and potentially acknowledge counterarguments.

3. Present Facts and Figures

Including factual statistics to present your arguments in the group discussion is a relevant factor to boost your credibility. Instead of saying, “I read it, or I have experienced it,” use evidence. Wild claims will not help. I mean, you cannot provide a backup for everything you say, but mention it wherever possible. You must know to what extent this fact or statistic supports your point. You can use appropriate factors from historical facts and literature to political and social events. Do your research to be a pro.

4. Strategize for Your Entry and Exit Points

It makes a significant difference! When you want to make a remarkable entry in the discussion that turns heads, you must strategize the right time and argument to start with. Don’t just go with any random point to raise your voice. The ultimate idea is to say the right thing, not to mark your presence only.

The same goes for the closure point. When the group discussion topic is moving toward the end, you must be ready with genuine closure points (if you genuinely feel like adding something). Moreover, ensure to make your closing point very short, like a summary.

5. Be Confident With Nonverbal Communication

Always maintain a good posture, ensure confident eye contact, and vary the pitch and tone of your voice, including pauses and natural breaks. Leaning on something while standing or even sitting will have a negative impact. Keep your head up. A conversational tone would help in engaging with fellow participants. Building eye contact with the people who are nodding more and expressing interest will give you an edge.

Don’ts of Group Discussion

So, we have discussed enough of the things you should do. But you must know what to avoid to strike a balance in your communication.

1. Don’t Express Self-Contradiction

Sometimes, you may not realize it, but you can contradict your own arguments, and people can notice this or use it against you in the discussion. In the group discussion, most of the topics are debatable, and it becomes a challenge to stick to your own point. But you must stay consistent with what you have said, either in favor or against. Lacking a stand will give a negative impression on the evaluator and may weaken your candidature.

2. Be Conscious, But Don’t Overdo it.

If you are confident about something, please take the lead. Hesitation will not help there. I understand that a little bit of nervousness is entirely normal, but taking too much stress about your performance can go against you. If you are well-prepared with your knowledge and have studied the discussion topic well, Good luck! Practice plays an integral role here and helps you overcome your distress during the discussions.

3. Don’t be a Follower; Take Your Own Stands.

I don’t mean you must not agree with anyone or show rebellious behavior. But group discussions are not about repeating someone’s point of view. You can agree but say something original that can add value to their argument. Sometimes, the urge to repeat someone else’s answer arises when you are blank about the topic (I already told you to prepare well to overcome this). You must play smart in this situation. Observe others and get involved with the topic profoundly; you can come up with something original.

4. Don’t be a One-Word Wonder.

The group discussions are continuous chains of arguments where you must be consistent and gradually mark your presence to be called a strong candidate. Speaking out once and disappearing is not the right way. Instead, be actively involved throughout the discussion. Say whatever you feel like (of course, it shouldn’t be rubbish) and talk beautifully. And this doesn’t mean you should not allow anyone else to speak. No! That can be one of the biggest mistakes.

5. Don’t Cut Off Someone Else’s Statements.

Suppose a girl is sitting in front of you talking rubbish or stating wrong facts, and you catch it. It’s great! But let them complete even if they are wrong. This is against the manners of conversation or communication to interrupt. After all, it is never about speaking only. You are evaluated on various factors, including listening. You can put forth your viewpoint or correct them once they are done. Stay calm!

Crucial Group Discussion Skills

The best way to win over the others in the group discussion is to strategize your own way. Possessing some people skills will surely help. I have curated a list of a few essential discussion skills that are necessary to own.

• Public speaking: The most wanted skill is public speaking. You need to start speaking slowly and confidently. Don’t self-analyze your performance.
• Self-awareness: Knowing what you can ace during the discussion means being self-aware. You must know your strong and weak points.
• Time Management: Don’t speak for too long even if you’re putting up the right points; people will get bored. Or, don’t try to get rid of the burden by speaking in a hurry. Balance your words.
• Creativity: Discussions allow you to show your creative side as well. You can combine ideas in novel ways, form your own answers, and use different methods to make your answers understandable. Moreover, the points you people discuss will give you new solutions to an issue.

Wrap-Up:

Understanding the dos and don’ts of group discussion during recruitment gives you some extra edge. It enhances your abilities in public speaking, listening, and balancing skills correctly, and I hope you have learned the right way to make your point. A good discussion session can help you grow, whether for a job or in college. Ultimately, I would love to advise you to actively participate in group discussions, sometimes in a mock too. Understanding and reacting to the topic’s various aspects opens new gateways to learning and increases the chances of your selection for campus placements.