Group Discussions for Job Seekers and Students
Scope of this Write-up
- Group discussions among people in
a group are done and used for variety of purposes under variety of
settings. For example; for selecting or screening out candidates for the
jobs, admissions of students in a college, particularly the business
management schools, seeking new ideas through brainstorming and arriving
at consensus on diverse opinions on a subject in an organization.
- However, here in this article, we
are going to focus on the subject of group discussions for job seekers or
for the students seeking admissions in business management or other
schools.
Use of Group Discussions
- Group discussion is a process used
for identifying appropriate or suitable candidates for the recruiting
organization either by their selection or by filtering out the
non-suitable candidates through this process.
The Process
- A group of candidates being
considered for the job by the recruiting organization or for admission to
the courses in business school is formed.
- The group size is normally 10 to
12 candidates who are supposed to formally discuss a given topic.
- The group is normally made to sit
in a round table conference in a room with comfortable and disturbance
free environment.
- A coordinator and few observers
from the organization are appointed to administer the entire group
discussion process.
- They select a topic normally of
general interest and declare it to the group.
- The group participants may be
given a few minutes (say 5 to 10 minutes) to collect their thoughts after
the topic is revealed to them. During this period the participants can jot
down the points of discussion on the given subject.
- The group is then asked to discuss
the topic for duration of 15 to 20 minutes. The exact time can vary but
will normally be in this range.
- The candidates or participants
speak out their points of views and communicate on the topic.
- At times the coordinator and
observers of the group discussion may prompt the silent participants to
put in their ideas on the subject being discussed.
- In many group discussions, one or
more candidates are expected to summarize the deliberations.
- During the time the discussions
are being held, the observers observe the participating candidates
intently and carefully for variety of parameters (qualities, personality
traits, skill levels etc) that are pre-decided by the organization.
Even the weights on each of these parameters are generally decided.
- After the period allocated for the
discussion is over, the process of group discussion as far as the
participants are concerned, is over.
- Then, observers and coordinator of
group discussion evaluate the candidates on the pre-decided
parameters and allocate their marks and together decide on the candidates
who will be filtered and dropped out and those who are found suitable and
will be pushed up to the next level or process of selection like personal
interview etc.
Types of Group
Discussions
The classification is based on the type of the
topics that are chosen for group discussion. The topics could be:
1. Topic related to current
news items related to business, technology, politics, education, health, social
activities etc
2. Factual topics
3. Involving a problem or
dilemma
4. Controversial topics
5. Abstract subjects
6. Case study discussion on a
given case
7. Group task to achieve a
result together as a team
Phases of Group
Discussion
Group discussion can be divided into three main
phases:
1. Initiation or introduction
2. Body of the group
discussion
3. Summarizing or conclusion
One can also divide the phases of group
discussion as:
- Creating chaos (approximately 1-2
minutes)
- Generating ideas (approximately
7-8 minutes)
- Building on ideas (approximately
5-6 minutes)
- Summarizing or concluding the
discussion (approximately 1 to 2 minutes)
On Introducing the Topic
or Initiation of Group Discussion
- Initiating a group discussion can
be advantageous as well as disadvantageous depending on how well you do
it.
- When you initiate a group
discussion, you not only grab the opportunity to speak, you also attract
the attention of the observers and your fellow participants. So, if you
can make a favorable first impression in initiating, it will establish
your leadership position in the group and will help you sail through the
discussion very well.
- But if in initiating, you are not
confident and are not able to make the first good impression on the
observers and the other participants the damage might be irreparable.
Stammering or communicating wrong facts and figures etc may further add to
the damage.
- If you initiate well but do not
contribute much later on, it gives the impression that you started just
for the sake of starting it and to impress but you really do not have much
stuff.
- When you start a discussion, in a
way, you take up the responsibility of a leader and for putting the
subject of discussion in its right perspective. Therefore, initiate the
topic only if you have in-depth knowledge on it.
- There are different techniques to
initiate and make a good first impression. Some of them are:
- Quotes on the topic
- Definitions of the topic and related issue
- Questions or posers or putting audience at the cross roads
- Shock treatment or shock statement
- Facts, figures and statistics
- Short story
- Humorous short story
- General statements
- Formulating an agenda of discussion and making the introductory points like objectives or deliverables of the discussion
On Summarizing the Group
Discussion
- The coordinator or observer will
normally prompt to conclude the discussion and summarize.
- If he does not ask any particular
person or persons to summarize, you may like to take the initiative. For
this, you must have assimilated all the points that were discussed and you
are confident that you can summarize well. This can make a good lasting
impression.
- Avoid raising new points during
summarizing.
- Avoid highlighting only your
viewpoints.
- Avoid dwelling only on one aspect
of what was discussed. Your summary should incorporate all the important
points that emerged from discussions.
- Keep it precise and concise.
- Do not add anything once the group
discussion has been summarized.
Personality Traits That
Are Usually Observed and Evaluated in Group Discussion
- Knowledge, content
- Thinking pattern, clarity of
thoughts
- Reasoning or logic abilities
- Analytical ability
- Creativity
- General awareness
- Leadership
- Assertiveness (as against
aggressiveness and submissiveness)
- Initiative
- Enthusiasm
- Dynamism
- Inspiring ability
- Communication- speaking
- Convincing ability
- Presentation style
- Listening
- Team building
- Team player
- Conflict resolution
- Consensus building ability
- Flexibility
- Personal grooming
- Demeanor: body language
- Etiquette and manners
Dress Code
- Candidates participating in a
group discussion should be formally dressed. Should not wear casual
clothes. Jacket and tie can be used depending on the climatic conditions.
- They should wear clean and well
ironed clothes, washed socks and polished shoes.
- Do not forget to carry a clean
handkerchief.
Some More Tips, Do’s and
Don’ts
- Improving your general awareness
and keeping abreast of current affairs, happenings, issues and environment
which affect lives of the people are very important. In short, ask
yourself a question: am I well informed and do have I the latest
information? For this, read news papers, political and business magazines,
appropriate literature on Internet and watch relevant programs on
television.
- Also, form your own opinions on
what you read and see. Think about it and prepare your thoughts with
logical questioning on various topics. Also ask: are they fact based?
- Discuss various topics with your
friends, colleagues, associates, teachers, bosses and family members. This
way you get enriched by many points of view on a topic. Listen, question,
discuss and argue. Also, express your opinion. Learn to check your temper
and emotions if others’ views are unacceptable to you. If your point of
view is incorrect, accept it with grace. Be flexible and open enough to
modify or change your opinions.
- Mobilize other people who are
interested in group discussion and simulate group discussions. Request an
experienced person to observe your performance and give you feedback. So,
practice, practice and practice. Group discussion is a competency or a
skill and it requires practice as all other skills do. Refer:
(Competency Matrix) http://competency-matrix.blogspot.com/,
(Competencies- Life Management) http://shyam-bhatawdekar.blogspot.com/
- Body language is your external
personality and it creates the first impression on others. So, sit
confidently and in a decent posture displaying your good etiquette and
manners. Do not lean on the table or slouch. Do not sit with crossed legs.
Do not rock your chair.
- Thinking a few minutes on the
given topic before starting the group discussion is important.
- Jot down your thoughts in a small
diary with a pen or pencil. You should always carry a small diary and pen
or pencil with you while participating in a group discussion.
- Do feel that you are better or as
good as others but definitely no less than others.
- If you are confident about
yourself, try to be the initiator and concluder of the group
discussion in addition to being an active participant throughout. Refer
earlier paragraphs on it.
- As a participant, be the most
visible participant by actively and meaningfully participating in the
discussion. Therefore, speak up and do not remain just a spectator. Also,
listen carefully what the others are saying and get involved.
- Put up your points assertively and
firmly and try to get others’ support on your view points.
- Address the whole group, not a
single person or only to the observers.
- Be coherent in your presentation
to the group. Your thoughts should not look disjointed. Also do not rush.
- Be audible. But do not shout or
scream.
- If you find that the discussion is
going off track or at a tangent, grab this opportunity to bring it on
track, thus securing an additional score for yourself.
- Be polite and well mannered. Keep
your cool under even very provoking situations and do not lose your
temper. Do not mix your emotions. Do not get personal on issues with other
participants and do not play the blaming game with them.
- Do interrupt or enter the
discussion when you want to. Do snatch chances. However, interrupt
politely to put speak up your points.
- Be a good time manager. Keep a track on the passing time so that you can contribute adequately within the time available.
Books Authored by Shyam Bhatawdekar and Dr Kalpana Bhatawdekar (eBooks and printed books available online from Amazon)
Management, Business, Self-help & Personality Development Books
1. HSoftware (Human Software) (The Only Key to Higher Effectiveness)
2. Sensitive Stories of Corporate World (Management Case Studies)
3. Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers
4. Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers (Volume 2)
5. Classic Team Building Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers
6. 101 Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers
7. Stress? No Way!! (Handbook on Stress Management)
8. HSoftware (Shyam Bhatawdekar’s Effectiveness Model)
9. Competency Management (Competency Matrix and Competencies)
10. Soft Skills You Can’t Do Without (Goal Setting, Time Management, Assertiveness and Anger Management)
11. Essentials of Work Study (Method Study and Work Measurement)
12. Essentials of Time Management (Taking Control of Your Life)
13. Essentials of 5S Housekeeping
14. Essentials of Quality Circles
15. Essentials of Goal Setting
16. Essentials of Anger Management
17. Essentials of Assertive Behavior
18. Essentials of Performance Management & Performance Appraisal
19. Health Essentials (Health Is Wealth)
20. The Romance of Intimacy (How to Enhance Intimacy in a Relationship?)
Novels, Stories, Biographies and Travelogues
21. The Peace Crusaders (Novel: how the peace crusaders established permanent peace on a war strewn planet?)
22. Love Knows No Bounds (Novel: a refreshingly different love story. Also available with the title “Good People”)
23. Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories
24. Stories Children Will Love (Volume 1: Bhanu-Shanu-Kaju-Biju and Dholu Ram Gadbad Singh)
25. My Father (Biography)
26. Travelogue: Scandinavia, Russia
No comments:
Post a Comment