Group Discussion,

Personal
Interviews &
Counseling
(GDPIC)
 Agenda.
• Introduction - Types of Interviews
• How to prepare for the dreaded interview
• Group Discussion
• Laws of Dressing
• Building an “USP”
• Tips on making a “Sound Presentation”
• Do’s / Don’ts during an interview
• FAQ’s
 Introduction
- In the good old days
- Now the changed scenario

YOU CANT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

 Types of Interviews
• Information Seeking
• Stress Interviews
• One on Ones
• Panel Interviews
• Hierarchical Interviews
• In-basket Exercises
• Group Discussions
• Technical Interviews
Job Interview Process

Preparation

The key to a successful

Conclusion job interview is Application

“SOUND PRESENTATION”

Assessment
How to prepare for the
dreaded interview
Preparation- What the interviewer wants.

•WORK HISTORY
•EDUCATION AND TRAINING
•SELF - EVALUATION
•JOB SATISFACTION
•CAREER PLANS
•OUTSIDE INTERESTS
•CLARIFICATIONS
•CLOSING
Application

To arouse the reader’s interest and convince

him / her that you are a right / potential
candidate

Start off by righting your career objectives -

USP
What the Resume should focus

6 Major Sections
• Personal Particulars - USP
• Career Aspirations
• Education Background
• Extra-Curricular Activities
• Work Experience
• Other Information (i.e. language / PC
skills)
Interview
Before

You are
interviewed
While

After
Laws of Dressing
 First impressions
Men Women
Suit Suit
Jacket Plain jewelry
Pressed shirt No perfume
No beepers Hair groomed
 Appearance Matters. . .A Lot!
• If you don’t dress seriously, they can’t take
you seriously!!
• Make a good first impression
• Pride in yourself implies pride in your work
• Show your creativity in your work, not your
appearance
• Dress conservatively
• Be well groomed and clean
 Rule of Thumb - Men

• No sleeveless shirts, half sleeves

• No colored shirt like pink or red
• Trousers should be black, Navy Blue or
Grey – No fancy colors
• If wearing a coat or Blazer, the cuff of the
shirt should be right
• Have your clothes pressed
• Clothes should be comfortable
– avoid too tight, too short
 Rule of Thumb - Men
• Clean shaven / if sporting a beard, avoid the
Devadas look
• Ties should be single knot / double knot
• A tie should always be tied and in place,
never worn half mast
• No open toe shoes
• Polish shoes / Need not be costly
• Shoes / Footwear – comfort is the key
• No ear rings or fancy hair styling
 Rule of Thumb - Women
• Sarees or Western Formals – preferred
• Single strand of jewels
• Studs for ears
• One ring in each hand at the most
• Never wear High heeled or Stilettos if you
are doing it first time
• Hair falling behind, not on your face
• Avoid heady perfumes, make up like a star
 Rule of Thumb - Women
• Shoes
– Polished, comfortable
• Socks/Hose
– Do not go without socks/hose
• Belts
– If have belt loops, wear a belt
• Jewelry
– Minimal
• Purse/Attaché Case
 Don’t Forget the Details
• Nicely styled hair
• Natural, clean looking face/makeup
• Clean your fingernails
• Skip the clunky jewelry
• Press your clothes
• Avoid strong perfumes or colognes
• Avoid cigarettes
“No woman can be well dressed unless
she is comfortable with what she is
wearing.”

Bill Blass
Building an “USP”
 Tell Me About Yourself
Create a 60-second sound byte
Include
• Geographic origins
• Reason for choosing major
• Educational background
• 2 or 3 strengths related to position
• Specific expertise and accomplishments
• How you can contribute to company
• Identify your career goals
• Speak clearly and honestly
 QUESTIONS FOR OPENERS
1. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH [ IN SHORT

WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU ]

2 WHATS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS

3 WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE JOB YOU DID TILL DATE

4 WHO IS YOUR BEST ROLE MODEL IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR

5 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

 USP
• Answers questions to
– Why should I take you
– Why are you unique
– What do you bring to the table

• Build a paragraph about you, which is

unique and makes you stand out
• You should be the best in that ONE area
at least
Tips on making a “Sound
Presentation”
BEFORE you are interviewed

• Review the company’s information

• Bring all necessary documents
• Dress and behave appropriately
• Arrive early (at least 15 minutes earlier)
 Research the Company
• Research the company thoroughly
• Where do you fit in (skill set)?
• Tailor your skills to company’s needs
(review job description)
• Information you uncover reflects your
interest and enthusiasm in position
• Establishes a common base of knowledge
for questions
 What Do You Need To Know?
• Age of company
• Services or products
• Competitors within the industry
• Growth pattern
• Reputation
• Divisions and subsidiaries
• Locations/length of time there
• Size
• Number of employees
• Sales/assets/earnings
• New products or projects
• Culture and values
 Develop Career Goals
• Have a focus--at least act like it, even if
you don’t have a clue
• Identify challenges you are looking for
• Know what you want to accomplish
• Have a plan or agenda
Write Down Answers/Scenarios
• Draft written answers to potential
interview questions
• Develop job appropriate scenarios
based on your research
– A marketing plan for a new product
– A solution to one of their problems
What Are Your Strengths
• Relate them to the job
• Give examples of where
you have demonstrated
these
• How were they
developed
• Identify your mentors
and/or role models
 What are your Weaknesses?

• Relate these to your work

• Show the positive side of these
• Identify the steps you have taken for
improvement
• Detail the results and/or time
frames expected
• Identify criticism you have
received and its effects
 Write Out Questions for the
Interviewer
• Consider multiple areas
– Corporate values
– Anticipated responsibilities
– Employment trends
– Measures of work performance
– Work environment
– Quality of work
– Personality factors
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the industry
and company
 USING & INTERPRETING BODY LANGUAGE

• EYE CONTACT
• BODY DIRECTION
• POSTURE
• HEAD MOVEMENTS
• HAND MOVEMENTS
• IRRITATING HABITS
 Opening
HOW DO YOU GET COMFORTABLE IN AN INTERVIEW

– CONFIDENCE
– CONVERSATIONS, MANNERISMS / SMALL
TALK
– CONTOUR
– INITIAL IMPACT ON THE PANEL
– COMPLETE DATA OF SELF
– PRESENTATION OF SELF, CLOTHES,
POSTURE
– FIRST IMPACT
 Day of the interview
• Fresh shower, well groomed
• Leave plenty of time for mishaps
• Eat prior to the interview
• Avoid too much caffeine and sugar
• Arrive early
• 15 minutes ample time
– too early makes interviewers nervous
• When arriving at the venue, be courteous to all
employees
 The interview process
• Casual conversation
– “How was the traffic?, did you find us O.K.?”
• Down to business
• Actual interview begins
– Listen, buzzwords, new info.
• Employer will discuss company/position
– Proceed to ask questions about skills, etc.
– Behavioral questions (situation)
• End by asking if you have questions
 The interview process
• Closing the interview
– Employer initiates
• Standing up, shaking hands
– “Thank-you for interviewing”
– Let employer know you are interested
• Prepare closing statement
– “Thank you for taking the time to interview me,
I’m very interested in this position...”
Tricky Questions
a.k.a..
behavioral
questions
Behavioral Interview Techniques

• STAR METHOD
–S - situation
–T - task
–A - action
–R - result
 Behavioral Interview Questions

•Give me an example of a problem you encountered & how you handled it?
•Give me an example of a time when you faced a lot of obstacles to
achieving a goal…
•Talk about a stressful situation you’ve experienced…
•Tell me about a time when you’ve been a team player..
•Tell me about a project or role that you’ve taken on that is outside your job
description….
•Tell me about a situation when you “took the ball & ran with it.”
•How have you handled situations in which you had to deal with something
that you're not totally comfortable with?
•How do you build your confidence?
•Give me an example of how you’ve failed…
•Tell me about a time when you’ve had to challenge authority...
Evaluate/Retrain

• How did you do overall?

• What were your strengths?
• What needs improvement?
• Develop a follow-up chart for tracking
Follow-up the Interview
• Remind them of key points from
the interview
• Emphasize your interest
• State when you expect the next
contact to be
 The verdict
• Job is offered to you
• “Thank you for calling, I’ll
get back to you with my
decision by the end of the
day..”
• Job is not offered
• “Thank you for taking the
time to interview me..”
• Professional/polite
 Comments / Questions

• Remember to be yourself…
• Everyone is nervous…
• Be prepared
Do’s & Don’ts during an
Interview
 Attitude
• Be on time for the interview
• Treat the receptionist with respect
• Be enthusiastic, eager, and smile
• Don’t sit until you’re invited to, and sit
up straight
• Practice good eye contact
• Walk with confidence
• Adapt to your surroundings
• Use Mr. or Ms. unless asked to use
first name
 Practice Your “Soft Skills”
• Greet people with a firm handshake
• Stand up to meet people
• Keep your guard up during lunch or dinner
• Practice your dining etiquette
• Remember “please” and “thank you”
• Be good at chatting and small talk
 What to Bring to an Interview
• Several copies of your resume
• Your portfolio, if applicable
• New notebook and a nice pen
• Briefcase or leather folder
• Names, addresses, and phone
numbers of references
The Interviewer’s Agenda
• They have an agenda
– To determine if you have the skills
– Identify your personal attributes
– Assess your motivation

• Help them by
– Showing how you fit their company
– Exhibit your personality
– Share your career goals
WHILE you are interviewed

DO’S
• Greet the interviewers
• Be natural and be yourself
• Be positive about yourself and honest
• Have eye contact with the interviewers
• Be calm, cheerful, confident and relax
• Seek clarification
• Ask for time to think
• Push back if you don’t agree
• Ask for more information
• Ask for opportunities to contribute
WHILE you are interviewed (Continued)

DO’S (continued)

• Listen carefully to interviewer’s questions

• Give precise, concise and logical answers
• Elaborate wherever necessary
• Highlight your strength
• Feel free to express opinions
• Ask “suitable” and sensible questions
• Thank interviewer's and shake hands
 WHILE you are interviewed .
DON’TS

• Compete with the interviewer

• Give up easily
• Be disagreeable
• Interrupt
• Ask what the company will do
• Volunteer to show negative traits
WHILE you are interviewed (Con’t)

DON’TS

• Be unprepared for an interview

• Demonstrates passive attitude / a lack of
interest
• Give simple yes / no answer only
• Dominate the conversation / drag too long on
a certain topic
• Over-spoken
• Guess the “right” answer
 Stereotypes
Women work for fun, extra money, second
income.
Women will quit when married.
Only a qualified, ambitious woman can
succeed.
AFTER you are interviewed

• Take note of important information for future reference

• Review your performance and seek further improvement
• Write to the interviewers thanking them for the time &
opportunity to be interviewed

 DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

 ASK FOR JOB RELATED INFORMATION
 ASK FOR COMPANY GROWTH PLANS
 CAREER RELATED OPPORTUNITIES
 HR POLICIES
 TRG. & DEVELEPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
 END DISCUSSION WITH PLEASANTERIES
Telephone Interviews
• Dress up and use a professional
environment to maintain your
professionalism
• Have your notes organized, highlighted,
and within easy access
• Without non-verbal communication, be
aware that it is difficult to “read” the
interviewer
• Make sure your voice conveys
enthusiasm
• If more than one person on the other
end, have them identify themselves
when asking their questions
Group Discussion
 Topics
• Definition of Group Discussion
• Group Discussion
• Prerequisites of a Group Discussion
• Benefits in Group Discussion
• Salient features
• Do’s and Don’ts in Group Discussion
• Important points in Group Discussion
• Accept criticism
• Suggestion
• Topics of importance frequently discussed
 Definition of Group Discussion
• Group Discussion is a modern method of
assessing students personality.
• It is both a technique and an art and a
comprehensive tool to judge the
worthiness of the student and his
appropriateness for the job.
 Group Discussion

• The term suggests a discussion among

a group of persons.
• The group will have 8 & 15 members who
will express their views freely, frankly in a
friendly manner, on a topic of current issue.
• Within a time limit of 20 to 30 minutes,the
abilities of the members of the group is
measured.
 Prerequisites of a Group Discussion
• Topics given by panelists
• Planning and preparation
• Knowledge with self-confidence
• Communication skills/ power of speech
• Presentation
• Body Language and personal appearance
• Being calm and cool
 Prerequisites of a Group Discussion

• Extensive knowledge base related to state,

country and globe.
• Areas are politics,sports,science &trade
commerce,Industry and Technology, MNC, et al.
• Analyze the social,economical issues logistically .
• Listening skills
• Co-operation.
 Benefits in Group discussion
• Stimulation of thinking in a new way.
• Expansion of knowledge
• Understanding of your strength and
weakness.
• Your true personality is revealed and
qualities of leadership crystallize
 Benefits of group discussion
• provides chance to Expose
• Language skills
• Academic knowledge
• Leadership skills
• people handling skills
• Team work
• General knowledge.
 Salient features of G.D

• Topic may be given to judge your public

speaking talent.
• Discussion revolves around a specific
subject.
• The examiner does not interfere once he
announced the topic.
• Maintain cordiality and free expression
of thought and opinion.
 Do`s in group discussion
• Appropriate to the issue .
• Make original points & support them by
substantial reasoning .
• Listen to the other participants actively
&carefully.
• Whatever you say must be with a logical
flow,&validate it with an example as far as
possible.
• Make only accurate statements.
 Do`s in group discussion

• Modulate the volume, pitch and tone.

• Be considerate to the feelings of the
others.
• Try to get your turn.
• Be an active and dynamic participant by
listening.
• Talk with confidence and self-
assurance.
 Don’ts during group
discussion
• Being shy /nervous / keeping isolated from
G.D
• Interrupting another participant before his
arguments are over
• Speak in favour ; example:Establish your
position and stand by it stubbornly
• Changed opinions
• Don’t make fun of any participant even if his
arguments are funny.
 Don`ts during group discussion

• Don’t engage yourself in sub-group

conversation.
• Don’t repeat and use irrelevant materials.
• Addressing yourself to the examiner.
• Worrying about making some grammatical
mistakes,for your interest the matter you put
across are important.
 Important points in group discussion
• Be assertive: An assertive person is direct,
honest careful about not hurting others ‘self-
respect’.
• A patient listener: listening to another person is
one way of showing appreciation.
• Right language : Words can make friends & right
words at the right time make the best results.
• Be analytical and fact-oriented : It is necessary
to make relevant points which can be supported
with facts and analyzed logically.
 Accept criticism
• If any member of the group criticizes or
disapproves a point, it is unwise to get upset
or react sharply.
• In case the criticism is flimsy,the same can be
pointed out politely.
• Maximize participation ; one must try to
contribute fully, vigorously & steadily
throughout the discussion.
• Show leadership ability: A group discussion
also evaluates your leadership qualities.
• Accept someone's point of view
• Praise the argument
Example: Remedial English communication
is necessary for college students because
they fail in communication skill test.
Status of literacy of women , is increased
from 30% to 70% when compared to past
years, in employment sectors organized in
the IT & ITES field.
• Accept the contradicts view
• Express your argument with few facts,
cases, %, Newspapers publications etc.
• Express without hurting others feelings.
• Suggestions

• Never try to bluff.

• Practice group discussion with friends on

different subjects.

• Remember !speech is a powerful weapon.

 Topics of Importance frequently
discussed
• Is India Shining
• Mobile phones / Internet – a boon or nuisance
• Students focusing on software industry-good or
bad
• Child marriage
• India 2020
• Daughters are more caring than sons
• Influence of western culture in Indian Universities
• Influence of computers in medical sciences
 Group Discussion
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Subject Matter
• Consensus building
Group Discussion Exercise
FAQ’s

?
 In summary
• Looking for curiosity
• Sound in at least one topic / subject
• Great attitude
• Analytical skills
• Knowledge