This document provides guidance on how to perform well in a group discussion (GD) for a job interview. It explains that GDs are used to assess personality traits and skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, creativity and flexibility. The objective is to get to know applicants, see how they work in a team, and check their interactive and communication abilities. During a GD, 8-10 candidates discuss a topic while being evaluated. To do well, one should make meaningful contributions, ensure the group hears them, be assertive but not arrogant, and attempt to build consensus. Specific tips include preparing counterarguments, highlighting non-obvious points, and bringing a different but relevant perspective.

1. Group Discussions
How to handle them to ensure a
positive outcome ?

2. What is a GD?
• A method used by an organization to
test/judge whether you have the
personality traits and skills that they want
in their employees.

3. Some of the personality traits a GD
tests are …
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ability to work in a team
Communication Skills
Reasoning Ability
Leadership Skills
Initiative
Assertiveness
Flexibility
Creativity
Ability to think on ones feet

4. Why GDs ?
• To get to know you as a person
• To judge how well you would fit into their
company/organization
• GD tests how you function as a part of a
team

5. • To check on your interactive skills & how
good you are at communicating with other
people.
• To check how you behave…
• …participate
• …and contribute in the group

6. • How much importance do you give to the
group objective as well as your own…
• How well do you listen to the view points
of others…
• How open-minded are you in accepting
views contrary to your own…

7. This is how a GD works…
• 8 – 10 candidates formed into a
‘leaderless group’
• The group may be given a topic and asked
to discuss the same
• A panel will observe the proceedings and
will evaluate the members of the group

8. Objectives

9. What is your objective in the
group?
• To be noticed …to have contributed
meaningfully …in an attempt to help the
group reach the right consensus.

10. What does this mean?
• You have to be seen by the evaluating
panel to have made meaningful
contribution.
• Ensure that the group hears you. If the
group hears you, so will the evaluator.
• Do not shout. You will then be noticed for
the wrong reasons.

11. • You have to be assertive.
• Do not be arrogant.

12. • You have to make your chances.
• Do not complain that you did not get a
chance to speak.

13. • Practice …& overcome your fear of
speaking

14. If your contribution is
“meaningful”…its shows that…
• … you have a good knowledge base.
• You are able to put forth your arguments
logically
• You are a good communicator
• The quality of what you said is more
valuable than the quantity.

15. Some tips …
• If you are given a topic where you have to
take a stand, say for example, “should
capital punishment be banned or
allowed?”
– Note down points for both sides of the
argument. It will be useful for 2 reasons:
• If you do not initiate and are not among the first 5
speakers, and all those who have spoken are ‘for’
the topic – it makes sense to take the alternate
approach and oppose the topic.
• It will help to be prepared with counter arguments.

16. • Everyone will state the obvious.
• So try and highlight points that are not
obvious.
• A different perspective is always
appreciated by the panel
• Note: Your “different” perspective must be
relevant to the topic

17. • You must be clearly seen to be
attempting to build a consensus

18. Summary

19. • You should be noticed by the panel.
• Making just any sort of contribution is not
enough. Your contribution should be
“meaningful”.
• Try to bring out a different perspective.
• You must be seen as attempting to build a
consensus.

20. Thank you
All the Best !!