18 Feb 11 How to crack a Group Discussion Successfully?

Group discussion is an opportunity to prove your ability, competence, team behavior, language skill, knowledge before the observer. Every modern job interview selection process or academic selection procedure is incomplete without the group discussion session. Even a successful candidate of personal interview and written test may miserably fail in group discussion session. So don’t let the group discussion opportunity slip off your hands. Make the most of it. Here are few tips for your help.

Don’t talk just for the sake of talking

It’s often noticed that people talk during the group discussion session, just for the sake of grabbing attention. It makes one look stupid and also shows lack of depth of knowledge. Talk only when you know enough about the topic in hand and you are confident. If you are not sure of yourself, wait for others to start, find clues from their conversations and then raise your voice. Don’t talk pointlessly, trying hard to prove a point.

Don’t shout to make a point

Just to get heard among many heads often participants end up shouting on top of their voice to prove a point. Wait for the right opportunity, raise your hand and state your point. If someone interrupts in middle, ask the person to wait and let you finish first. Shouting just to get noticed and beat others will create sheer confusion and chaos.

Stick to the point

Often we deviate from the main issue and stretch the topic too far. Don’t go far away from the main topic in hand. If the topic is controversial and raises lot of discussion, talk either in favor or against the topic in hand. Don’t keep switching between the two. Make sure you stick to your point and don’t go stretch it too far. Maintain the time limit.

Good start, great end

We often think it’s important to grab attention in the beginning only and thus put maximum energy in starting the group discussion rather than concluding nicely towards the end. Never commit this mistake. First impression is definitely the last impression, but an end moment fuss or ambiguity can tarnish the whole thing. So make sure, you are not only noticed in the beginning, but also equally heard and noticed towards the end. When time comes towards end, nicely wrap your message in an impressive conclusion. It will help you to leave a long lasting impression.

Tags: Behavior Language, Chaos, Competence, Confusion, Conversations, Group Discussion, Impres, Interview Selection, Job Interview, Language Skill, Maximum Energy, Personal Interview, Point Don, Sake, Selection Procedure, Selection Process, Shout, Skill Knowledge, Team Behavior, Time Limit