Clearing GDS like a champion

The group discussion which is also called GD in short has always been an
integral part of recruitment process in both private and public sector.GD in
most recruitment tests are preceded by aptitude test and followed by
interviews.GDS are often regarded as the fear of unknown and that is only
because of the perception that the topic given in GDs are difficult and may
even require out of the box thinking. The topic in most of the GDs are
generally related to the current events or of general trends that are going
around the country .Sometime topics can be both funny yet confusing but
are generally provided to check candidates thinking and reasoning ability.
Out of the box thinking and creativity is what recruiter wants to see in the
candidates while giving such topics. In a Group Discussion (GD), you are
expected to contribute meaningfully and help arrive at a consensus. It is not
a platform for you to fight your way through and dominate. Flexibility and
getting with the group is also very important. The fear and anxiety before a
GD can be there either due to insufficient knowledge or due to lack of
experience in facing such things. Both the factors can be curbed in by adding
practices to the routine.Here are 10 tips for people to win the battle that
often leads them to the final stage of getting a job.
1) Increase your pool of knowledge: Make a habit of READING and
learn something new daily. For people who are not so fascinated by
newspapers download some apps that flash news at frequent intervals
so that they catch your eye most of the time. In this manner youll be
able to capture at least a part of it if not all. People who enjoy reading
newspapers, youre going well. Reading and assimilation of knowledge
from different fields and subjects would not only widen your scope of
thinking but would also push your confidence to a new level.
2) Make the first step/initiate the GD: People initiating the GD often
catch the eye of the recruiter/mediator early. Taking the first step not
only shows your confidence level but also makes a positive impression
about your approach towards situations. The only time you should
restrain yourself going in first is when you have very little or no
knowledge at all about the topic. Speaking about a topic of which you
have no idea often can get you in trouble as it would make the
recruiter know about your shallow knowledge on that particular topic.
3) Adjust your tone & use language that is acceptable to all:
Adjust your tone in a way in which you are completely audible and

clear to members of the group and to the person judging you. The tone
shouldnt be too harsh and unpleasant to the ear and not too soft to be
inaudible. Use of English is the most acceptable form of language in
GDs.
4) Using facts and figures :Use of figures and facts related to the topic
makes your opinion more powerful as facts and figures serves as proof
for a given statements. In order to make ones statement influential
use of these is always recommended.
5) Allow other people to put their views: Allowing and encouraging
other people to give inputs is also a nice habit in Gds and often would
fetch you points. Snatching others chance to speak is not a good
habit. However it doesnt mean you keep on encouraging others and
remain silent at all times.
6) Try to blend in with the pace with which the GD is moving: It is
often seen that a group or even an individual starts dominating the
whole GD.There is a need to catch up with the group and get a good
timing in order to place your opinion effectively. Waiting for a very long
time in GDS is not a safer bet especially when its a free form GD and
not an individual centered.
7) Keep a check on the time and the track on which GD is headed
towards: Keeping the discussion in the right track is an essential
thing. There is a need to keep a check on the time allocated too for a
particular discussion so that one can always conclude the GD at the
right moment. It is also necessary to stop the group from going away
from the main topic.
8) Avoid Slangs and negative gestures: GD is a formal discussion.
Avoid informal words and negative gestures. For e.g. avoid words like
gonna, wanna, ya etc. Similarly avoid gestures like pointing fingers,
knocking the desk with the pen.
9) Maintain an eye contact: Maintain eye contact with team members
and not evaluators. Theyre not a part of the discussion. Ensure that
you get to speak your point, if the other members hear you, the
evaluators will too.
10)
Conclude/summarize the GD at the right time: Most GD
doesnt really have conclusions. A conclusion is where the whole group

decides in favor or against the topic. But every GD is summarized. You

can summaries what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.
Understand that the aim is not to speak often or for long periods. The
aim is to be precise and clear with your points. Ultimately, the
discussion has to reach a conclusion and you must strive towards that.
While summarizing a discussion:

Avoid raising new points.

Avoid stating only your viewpoint.
Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the GD.
Keep it brief and concise.
It must incorporate all the important points that came out during
the GD.
If the examiner asks you to summaries a GD, it means the GD
has come to an end.
Do not add anything once the GD has been summarized.