Group Discussion & Personal Interview
General Traits
A Group Discussion can be defined as a proper discussion involving ten to 12 participants in a group.
It is a tactic used by an organization to judge whether the candidate
has certain personality traits and/or skills that it desires in its
members. In this methodology, the group of candidates is given a topic
or a situation, given a few minutes to think about the same, and then
asked to talk about it among themselves for 15-20 minutes.
As in a football game, where you play like a team, passing the ball to
each team member and aim for a common goal, GD is also based on team
work, incorporating views of different team members to achieve a common
goal.
Here are some of the most important personality traits that a candidate should have to do well at a GD:
Team Player
Reasoning Ability
Leadership
Flexibility
Assertiveness
Initiative
Creativity/ Out of the box thinking
Inspiring ability
Listening
Awareness
Team Player
It is necessary for managers to be team players.
The reason: Managers always work in teams. At the beginning of
his(manager) career, a manager works as a team member. And, later, as a
team leader. Management aspirants who lack team skills cannot be good
managers.
Reasoning Ability
Reasoning ability plays an important role while expressing your opinions
or ideas at a GD. For example, on India's growth and its effect's: Any
Answer for this should be based on reasons, not assumptions.
Leadership
There are three types of situations that can arise in a GD:
~ A GD where participants are unable to establish a proper affinity and do not speak much.
~ A GD where participants get emotionally charged and the GD gets disorganized.
~ A GD where participants discuss the topic aggressively by touching on all its nuances and try to reach the objective.
Here, a leader would be someone who facilitates the third situation at a GD.
A leader would have the following qualities:
S/he shows direction to the group whenever group moves away from the topic.
~S/he coordinates the effort of the different team members in the GD.
~S/he contributes to the GD at regular intervals with valuable insights.
~S/he also inspires and motivates team members to express their views.
Caution: Being a mere coordinator in a GD does not help, because it is a
secondary role. Contribute to the GD with your ideas and opinions, but
also try and steer the conversation towards a goal..
Flexibility
You must be open to other ideas as well as to the assessment of your ideas: That is what flexibility is all about.
But first, remember: Never ever start your GD with a stand or a conclusion.
Say the topic of a GD is, 'Should India Ban night work for Women at night hours?'
Some participants tend to get emotionally attached to the topic and take
a stand either in favour or against the topic, ie 'Yes, India should',
or, 'No, India should not'. By taking a stand, you have already given
your decision without discussing the topic at hand or listening to the
views of your team members. Also, if you encounter an opposition with a
very strong point at the 11th hour, you end up in a typical catch-22
situation:
~If you change your stand, you are seen as a fickle-minded or a whimsical person.
~If you do not change your stand, you are seen as an inflexible, stubborn and obstinate person.
Assertiveness
You must put forth your point to the group in a very emphatic, positive and confident manner.
Participants often confuse assertiveness with aggressiveness.
Aggressiveness is all about forcing your point on the other person, and
can be a threat to the group. An aggressive person can also show
negative body language, whereas an assertive person displays positive
body language.
Initiative
A general tendency amongst students is to start a GD and get the initial
kitty of points earmarked for the initiator. But that is a high
risk-high return strategy. Initiate a GD only if you are well versed
with the topic.
If you start and fail to give at regular intervals, it gives the
impression that you started the GD just for the sake of the initial
points.
Also, if you fumble, stammer or misquote facts, it may work against you.
Remember: You never ever get a second chance to create a first impression.
Creativity/ Out of the box thinking
An idea or a viewpoint which opens new horizons for discussion on the GD
topic is always highly appreciated. When you put across a new idea
convincingly, such that it is discussed at length by the group, it can
only be positive. You will find yourself in the good books of the
examiner.
Inspiring ability
A good group discussion should include views of all the team members. If
some team members want to communicate their ideas but are not getting
the opportunity to do so, giving them an opportunity to communicate
their ideas or opinions will be seen as a positive trait.
Caution: If a participant is not keen to speak, you need not necessarily
go out of the way to ask him to express his views. This may insult him
and hamper the flow of the GD.
Listening
Always try and strike a proper balance between expressing your ideas and imbibing ideas.
Awareness
You must be well versed with both the micro and macro environment. Your
awareness about your environment helps a lot in your GD content, which
carries maximum weightage.
Group Discussion & Personal Interview
Common Mistakes
Who Learn's from mistake's is the won who has the wisdom, and who repeats mistake is the one who does not.
Here's a list of the most common mistakes made at group discussions
Emotional outburst
Rashmi was offended when one of the male participants in a group
discussion made a speech on women generally being passive while
explaining his point of view.
When Rashmi finally got an opportunity to speak, instead of focussing on
the topic, she vented her anger by accusing the other candidate for
being a male chauvinist and went on to defend women in general.
What Rashmi essentially did was to
move away from the subject.
Treat the discussion as a forum to air her own views.
Lose subjectivity and make personal attacks.
Her behavior would have been perceived as immature and dominating to the rest of the team.
Quality Vs Quantity
Gautam believed that the more he talked, the more likely he was to get
through the GD. So, he interrupted other people at every opportunity. He
did this so often that the other candidates got together to prevent him
from participating in the rest of the discussion.
Assessment is not only on your communication skills but also on your ability to be a team player.
Evaluation is based on quality, and not on quantity. Your contribution must be relevant.
The mantra is "Contributing meaningfully to the team's success." Domination is frowned upon.
Egotism Showing off
Krishna was happy to have got a group discussion topic he had prepared
for. So, he took effort to project his vast knowledge of the topic.
Every other sentence of his contained statistical data - "20% of
companies; 24.27% of parliamentarians felt that; I recently read in a
Jupiter Report that..." and so on so forth. Soon, the rest of the team
either laughed at him or ignored his attempts to enlighten them as they
alleged that he was cooking up the data.
Exercise restraint in anything. You will end up being frowned upon if you attempt showing-off your knowledge.
Facts and figures need not validate all your statements.
Its your analysis and interpretation that are equally important - not just facts and figures.
You might be appreciated for your in-depth knowledge. But you will fail miserably in your people skills.
Such a behavior indicates how self-centered you are and highlights your
inability to work in an atmosphere where different opinions are
expressed.
Get noticed - But for the right reasons
Sri kumar knew that everyone would compete to initiate the discussion.
So as soon as the topic - "Discuss the negative effects of India joining
the WTO" - was read out, he began talking. In his anxiety to be the
first to start speaking, he did not hear the word "negative" in the
topic. He began discussing the ways in which the country had benefited
by joining WTO, only to be stopped by the evaluator, who then corrected
his mistake.
False starts are extremely expensive. They cost you your admission. It
is very important to listen and understand the topic before you air your
opinions.
Spending a little time analyzing the topic may provide you with
insights which others may not have thought about. Use a pen and paper to
jot down your ideas.
Listen! It gives you the time to conceptualize and present the information in a better manner.
Some mistakes are irreparable. Starting off the group discussion with a
mistake is one such mistake, unless you have a great sense of humor.
Managing one's insecurities
Sumati was very nervous. She thought that some of the other candidates
were exceptionally good. Thanks to her insecurity, she contributed
little to the discussion. Even when she was asked to comment on a
particular point, she preferred to remain silent.
Your personality is also being evaluated. Your verbal and non verbal cues are being read.
Remember, you are the member in the GD; not the evaluator. So, rather
than evaluating others and your performance, participate in the
discussion.
Your confidence level is being evaluated. Decent communication skills with good confidence is a must to crack the GDs.
Focus on your strengths and do not spend too much time thinking about
how others are superior or inferior to you. It is easy to pick up these
cues from your body language.
up Discussion & Personal Interview
G D TIPS
The tips given below are appicable in any GD. The only difference
between most other GDs and the GDs conducted by the IIMs after CAT or
other top B Schools is the intensity of the competition.
- Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself.
- A group discussion is your chance to be more spoken. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.
- Take time to manage your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.
- Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.
- Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
- Work out various strategies to help you make an entry: start the
discussion or agree with someone else's point and then move onto express
your views.
- Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and
recognition. If you do not give precious insights during the discussion,
all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in vain.
- Your body language says a lot about you - your gestures and
mannerisms are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.
- Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points across clearly and fluently.
- Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.
- Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key
is to stay objective: Don't take the discussion personally.
- Always be polite: Try to avoid using excessive phrases like: `I
strongly object' or `I disagree'. Instead try phrases like: `I would
like to share my views on�' or `One difference between your point and
mine�' or "I beg to differ with you"
- Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate the other members of
the team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing that
you do in the GD is to say "let us hear what the young lady with the
blue scarf has to say," or "Raghu, let us hear your views" - Essentially
be subtle), and listen to their views. Be accessible to others'
opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.
- If you have a group of like-minded friends, you can have a mock
group discussion where you can learn from each other through giving and
receiving feedback.
Apart from the above points, the panel will also judge team members for
their alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability
to work as a team without alienating certain members, and creativity.
Group Discussion & Personal Interview
F A Q
What is the normal duration of a GD?
A GD is generally of 15-20 minutes duration.
How many panel members are there to evaluate?
There are usually 3-4 panel members to evaluate.
Is there time given for preparation after the topic is given and before starting the GD?
Usually some time (2-5 minutes) is given to colleb>
Ict one's thoughts, but there could be instances when this does not happen, so it is best not to bank on this.
Should I address the panel or the group members?
Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the panel members. The GD is
between you and the other members, not the panel members. You must avoid
even looking at the panel members while the GD is in progress. Just pay
no attention to their existence.
What is the seating arrangement like?
It could be semi-circular, or circular, or seating along side a
rectangular table, depending upon the setting. It is best not to bother
about trivial issues like this, which you have no control over.
How should I address the other group members?
If you are initiating the discussion, you could do so by collectively
addressing the group as "Friends". Subsequently, you could use names (if
the group has had a round of self-introduction prior to starting the
discussion and you remember the names) or simply use pronouns like "he"
or "she".
Suppose I have a lot to say on the topic, should I say all of it?
You would not be looked upon favorably if you kept speaking all the time
and did not listen to anyone else. Contrary to the misconception, the
person who talks the most is not necessarily the one who is judged the
best. The quality and not the quantity of your contribution is the
success factor.0.
Should I encourage others to speak up?
Do not directly put someone who is consistently silent on the spot by
asking him/her to speak up. If someone has been trying to speak and has a
good point but is cut off constantly, you may encourage him/her to
continue with her point as you would like to hear her out.
Are the group members supposed to keep track of the time or will the panel keep track?
It would be good if you are conscious of the time, but not to the point
of getting so distracted looking at your watch that you do not
contribute to the discussion.
Are we allowed to take a piece of paper during the GD for noting down important points?
Normally you are, but there may be instances when it is specifically forbidden to carry paper.
Is there any particular seating arrangement, which is favorable to the participants?
If participants are asked to sit in a circle or a semi circle, one
position is as good as another. But if you are asked to sit on either
side of a rectangular table, then choose a position as close to the
centre as possible.
Should we begin the GD by appointing a leader amongst ourselves?
No. You should not. Leadership in a GD is established implicitly through one's performance in a GD.
Should we distribute the total time available to all the participants to ensure that everybody gets a chance to speak?
Since a GD is not a debate or elocution, the participants should not
resort to the strategy of distributing time amongst themselves.
Can we take a definite stand in the GD and then later on during the GD, switch over to another stand?
Yes, provided you do it the right way. In a GD it is quite likely that
some other participant's counter-argument convinces you to your point.
If this happens, then it is best if you accept his argument and explain
to the group how your previous argument was true within a narrow range,
and how the new argument is applicable to a broader range.
Naturally, it is safer not to make any rash statements for or against a
topic before you learn the facts of the argument. Blindly taking a stand
will definitely lead you to trouble. This does not mean you should sit
on the fence. You may participate actively by pointing out both sides of
the issue in a reasonable and logical manner.
If we do not understand the meaning of the topic, should we ask the moderator to clarify it to us?
No. You cannot. Instead of displaying your ignorance in this manner, it
is better to wait for some other participant to clarify the meaning of
the topic. So listen to the discussion carefully for the first few
minutes and when you have figured out what the topic is about, start
participating in the discussion.
Should we address the other participants by their names or their assigned numbers?
As far as possible, you should try and avoid names or numbers. It is
better to use pronouns such as "he", "she", "you" etc. while referring
to the members of the group.
Are we expected to stick to the normally accepted line of thought or can we come up with something radical?
By all means you can. It would demonstrate your creativity and originality. Just make sure it is relevant to the topic.
If I feel strongly about an issue, should I voice my feelings?
It is important to be cool and emotionally objective in a GD. If you
react emotionally you are likely to lose control over yourself during
the group discussion. You have to be calm and logical, not emotional in a
GD.
Can I use technical terms or jargon, which is clear to me, but not to the group?
If you have to use technical terms, please do not use abbreviations.
After mentioning the term in full take time out to explain to the group
what it means. It is quite likely that other participants of the group
have a different academic background from you, and you should make sure
you are all on a level playing field.
Do I begin my participation by requesting the group's permission to do so?
It is not likely that you will get a chance to ask for such permission.
It may also go against you (as appearing weak on your part).
What is the right time to enter a GD to ensure that I am heard properly?
In any GD, there are crests and troughs during the discussion. The crest
is when the noise level is at its peak. The trough is when there is
almost total silence. Ideally, you should enter the GD during the trough
period. But in competitive GDs, the crests occur more often and troughs
may not occur at all. In such cases, you could identify the stages in
the GD, where ideas dear to you are being discussed and enter the GD
irrespective of the noise level.
How do I participate when the noise level is too high?
You could try the following strategy - Make out the most powerful
speaker in the group, and note down the points that he/she is making.
The moment the noise level reduces a little, enter supporting the
powerful speaker. You will have made a strong ally who will carry you
through the noise.
Do I have to be cautious about other participants' feelings (on sensitive issues like religion, caste etc)?
You certainly do. Insensitivity to others shows a lack of maturity and viciousness. It will act against your favor.
Is it beneficial to be the first speaker in a group discussion?
Being the first speaker is a high risk, high return strategy. If you can
create a good opening statement, which is relevant and sets the tone
for the GD, it will go in your favor. If you do this well, you may
automatically become the group leader. However if you bungle it up (by
speaking for the sake of speaking, not really having anything pertinent
to say), it will be remembered and will go against your favor.
How critical is my fluency in English to my performance?
Command over English is certainly advantageous but will not pay off for
lack of good content. If your content is good, then even if your English
might not be great, you must speak it out, rather than be inhibited by
lack of good English. You will get credit for soundness of ideas.
How necessary is it to use examples for illustrating an idea?
Use of examples is helpful in elaborating your point, and helping others
understand your idea better. But please keep in mind to keep it short
and simple because in a competitive GD nobody has the tolerance to
listen to long, drawn out examples. the candidate to market themselves. The employer is selling the
organization to you, and you are marketing your skills, knowledge, and
personality to the employer. Remember that interviews are varied and so
they cannot therefore be easily categorized.
Following are some human resource interview tips:
1. Be prepared
Preparation increases confidence. Practice with your friends or
relatives. Remember that everyone who is interviewing is not necessarily
a good interviewer.
You may prepare by reviewing magazine and newspaper articles. You may
check out their web site. Read your resume before your interview. It
will keep your answers fresh.
2. Location and punctuality
Find out the location of organization. Make sure you have a map or
directions as well as information of the nearest railway station. Arrive
5-10 minutes early. Arriving early will give you the opportunity to
read some information on the company in the reception area.
3. Be professional
Professional look always helps for good impression. Be careful about
your dressing. Be aware of the company culture and ensure you dress to
impress. Decide what you are going to wear the night before to avoid
making the wrong choices.
4. Be polite
Don't interrupt to the interviewer. Listen very carefully. Poor
listening skills are responsible for the bad impression. If the
interview is being conducted in a restaurant, mind your table manners.
If the interviewers are serious and soft-spoken, then you should be same
as interviewer. Avoid loud laughter during the interviewer.
5. Be positive
Keep in mind that there is only one chance to make a first impression.
Every company wants employees who are goal-oriented, career-driven,
enthusiastic and motivated. Be the employee as they want. End the
interview on a positive note. The hiring official needs to know that you
are interested, enthusiastic and excited about the position and the
company.
6. Be practical
If you are experienced then the interviewer already knows your current
salary and benefits package. When the topic of salary comes up state
that you know they will make a fair offer.
If you are offered the position during the interviewing process and you
want the job then accept it. If the offer is not acceptable for any
reason, ask for time to consider the offer.
7. Human resource interview tips - Do's
Have a firm handshake.
Be sincere and direct.
Introduce yourself in a courteous manner.
Read company materials while you wait.
You have to prepare for questions and listen carefully to the interviewer.
Ask about the next step in the process.
Thank the interviewer.
Learn about the Human Resources Analyst Program and understand the different facets of human resources.
You never know what the interviewer will ask you about, so be prepared
to talk about anything you have included on your resume. You should be
truthful about your experiences and skills.
8. Human resource interview tips - Don'ts
Don't show depression or discouragement.
Don't start the topics like salary, benefits or working hours.
Don't look at your watch.
Don't take extensive notes.
Don't be too serious.
9. Follow up
Always write a thank you note immediately after the interview. If there
are number of interviewers then send a copy of thank you letter to each
person. Summarize your qualifications and how they meet the expectations
of the position.
HR Interview Questions For Freshers
1. Tell me about yourself?
I am down-to-earth, sweet, smart, creative, industrious, and thorough.
2. How has your experience prepared you for your career?
Coursework:
Aside from the discipline and engineering foundation learning that I
have gained from my courses, I think the design projects, reports, and
presentations have prepared me most for my career.
Work Experience:
Through internships, I have gained self-esteem, confidence, and
problem-solving skills. I also refined my technical writing and learned
to prepare professional documents for clients.
Student Organizations:
By working on multiple projects for different student organizations
while keeping up my grades, I've built time management and efficiency
skills. Additionally, I've developed leadership, communication, and
teamwork abilities.
Life Experience:
In general, life has taught me determination and the importance of maintaining my ethical standards.
3. Describe the ideal job.
Ideally, I would like to work in a fun, warm environment with
individuals working independently towards team goals or individual
goals. I am not concerned about minor elements, such as dress codes,
cubicles, and the level of formality. Most important to me is an
atmosphere that fosters attention to quality, honesty, and integrity.
4. What type of supervisor have you found to be the best?
I have been fortunate enough to work under wonderful supervisors who
have provided limited supervision, while answering thoughtful questions
and guiding learning. In my experience, the best supervisors give
positive feedback and tactful criticism.
5. What do you plan to be doing in five years' time?
Taking the PE exam and serving in supervisory/leadership roles both at work and in professional/community organization(s).
6. What contributions could you make in this organization that would help you to stand out from other applicants?
In previous internships, my industriousness and ability to teach myself
have been valuable assets to the company. My self-teaching abilities
will minimize overhead costs, and my industriousness at targeting needs
without prompting will set me apart from others.
Additionally, one thing that has always set me apart from my
scientific/engineering peers are my broad interests and strong writing
abilities. I am not your typical "left-brained" engineer, and with my
broad talents, I am likely to provide diverse viewpoints.
7. What sort of criteria are you using to decide the organization you will work for?
Most importantly, I am looking for a company that values quality,
ethics, and teamwork. I would like to work for a company that hires
overachievers.
8. What made you choose your major?
My academic interests are broad, so I sought civil engineering to
achieve a great balance of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and
writing.
9. Have your university and major met your expectations?
The College of Engineering at MSU has exceeded my expectations by
providing group activities, career resources, individual attention, and
professors with genuine interest in teaching. My major has met my
expectations by about 90%. I would have enjoyed more choices in
environmental courses, and would have preferred more calculus-based
learning.
10. What made you choose this college?
I chose this college for the following reasons: my budget limited me to
in-state schools, I was seeking an area with dog-friendly apartments,
the MSU web site impressed me, I saw active student groups, and the
people were very friendly.
11. List 2-3 of your greatest achievements since you've been in college and why?
Receiving the SWE Outstanding Member Award and College of Engineering Student Service Award
I got involved with student activities to overcome my debilitating
shyness. Receiving these awards signified that I had accomplished a
transition from dragging myself to participate to feeling energized by
it.
Receiving the SWE Web Site Award
Without training in web design, I competed against not only the other
student sections, but professional sections around the nation. Despite
competing with more HTML-experienced people, I brought this award to my
section. After getting so much from SWE, I was able to give something
back.
Earning the highest grade in an organic chemistry class of ~200 people I
worked very hard for this grade and loved the subject, so it was a
great feeling to see that the hard work paid off.
12. Which subjects have you enjoyed studying the most and why?
I have enjoyed hydrology, fluids, solid & hazardous waste
management, water and wastewater treatment, and oceanography because I
love water and environmental topics. Calculus and linear algebra excite
me because I love logic. I enjoyed the writing and analysis in economic
history. Business law thrilled me because I have a strong interest in
legal matters.
13. Which subjects did you dislike and why?
Introductory soil elicited little interest in me, most likely because
the professor was inexperienced, the book was ineffective, and I had
little spare time that semester to look into other resources.
14. Do you have plans to continue your education?
Yes, but not immediately. I plan to continue part time with either an
MBA or an environmental engineering masters, depending on which will be
more beneficial to my work.
15. How would a professor who knows you well describe you? One who does not know you well?
A professor who knows me well would likely describe my personal
qualities: sweet, down-to-earth, smart, hard-working, and conscientious.
As specific examples of those who did not know me well, my soils
professor and soils teaching assistant each considered me smart and
respectful, and both thought that I must have enjoyed the class a lot,
due to my performance.
16. Given the chance, how would you alter your education?
Knowing now what I like the most, I would have used my electives for
extra math and psychology classes, since I tend to be well-rounded
enough that a variety of classes are unnecessary; my personal reading is
diverse enough. I have found that mathematics and psychology are
helpful to all career and life paths.
17. Which part-time job did you enjoy the most and why?
Working for PM Environmental was most enjoyable to me, since I felt like
I was significantly contributing to the company, and I enjoyed learning
on my own.
18. Interests:
Some of my interests include dogs, hiking, snow-shoeing, water sports,
writing, reading (especially Charles Dickens' novels), skiing, drawing,
crafts, and computers.
19. What are your strengths?
My strongest strength is the ability to teach myself difficult material,
regardless of the subject (with the exception of theater and drawing
blood from dogs, which I have no talent for). Additionally, I have
always excelled verbally and look forward to writing opportunities.
20. What are your weaknesses?
I tend to try to do too many things, leaving little time for myself. I
have worked on balancing myself for the last several months. I am also
working on improving my public speaking skills.
21. What sort of serious problems have you experienced, and how have you handled them?
My apartment building burned down at the end of January during one of my
semesters at MSU. Before the fire got too bad, I was able to rescue my
pets and the neighbor's dog, as well as my textbooks and backpack, but I
lost most of my mementos and possessions.
While the firemen were preparing their hoses, I drove to school (with
the animals in the car) to meet my lab partners, who were waiting for
me. I explained the situation, emailed my professors, and rushed back to
the apartment.
Fortunately, I had renter's insurance. I missed about a week of school
to deal with the insurance matters and find a new place to live. In
order to salvage my grades and sanity, I dropped a course and honored my
existing student group and research commitments.
Staying active socially and keeping myself well-rounded were the best
healing tools for me. Within a few weeks, I was caught up and had
recovered reasonably from the loss of sentimental items.
22. Do you or have you in the past experimented with illegal drugs?
No. My only addictions are caffeine and sugar.
23. Would you be willing to take a drug test?
Of course.
24. Do you drink alcohol socially?
No, but I enjoy Shirley Temples quite a bit.
If you want to try out this new technology for the experience, then of
course it is worth it; and probably worth traveling to do it. 
It is advisable to check and re-check the booking at both ends. 
considering the purpose of the meeting, and organising the overall joint task. In education, this will be the level of pedagogical success or failure.
things you can do in any meeting to make it go better e.g. start with introductions, begin by agreeing an agenda.
issues of turn taking, asking the other end to give you a different camera shot (or not, and being frustrated).
If you want to open a bank account, you'll want to read this topic. I'll
cover the 7 essential steps to open a bank account, whether you want to
open a bank account online or in person.
Any financial institution will have a variety of account types and services that you can mix and match.
